Illinois State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) is standing with retirees and voted no on legislation trying to raise the cost of retiree healthcare. “This measure will diminish employee retirement benefits plain and simple. This will be affecting people already on a fixed income and I believe this bill is a target on low-income minorities who have no recourse against the state taking away their retirement benefits,” said Senator Delgado, chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee. “The sponsor of this bill is essentially telling people who have been retired for 10, 20, or 30 years that the state of Illinois is going back on their promise. Retirees, who put in their time, trusted they would be taken care of when they retired.”

Currently, retired state and university employees receive free health insurance if they put in 20 years of service working for the State of Illinois. Delgado is concerned that there are no protections written into the current legislation to ensure the cost of healthcare and will be based on the amount of a retiree’s pension. The measure leaves it up to the Director of Central Management Services, an appointee of the governor.