MARKHAM, Ill. (CBS) – Some first responders from the south suburbs are feeling frustrated because their health insurance costs are increasing by hundreds of dollars, which is putting a serious strain on their finances while offering less coverage.
They’re taking action to change this and confronted the Markham City Council about it on Wednesday night. CBS 2’s Jermont Terry was there.
At Markham City Hall, firefighters filled the room, but instead of responding to emergencies, they were raising concerns. They were seeking answers as to why they and many other city workers are paying so much for health insurance.
Tony Butera is the president of the fire union. He mentioned that members are seeing higher deductions from their paychecks while getting fewer choices.
“We pay, for a family, we pay a percentage which is 17.5% and we pay around $220 a paycheck,” Butera said.
When the City Council had an opportunity to address this issue by changing insurance providers, he claimed they missed their chance, which not only left them with higher costs but also cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands in premiums.
“The right thing is for Markham would have been to switch insurance [companies] to save the city $500,000,” Butera said.
That’s why firefighters and public works employees protested at Wednesday’s meeting.
“I stand on what I stated. I stand on my point. I stand on my vote,” said Ald. Brenna Hampton-Houser (1st).
Council members said they weren’t intimidated by first responders holding signs and added that the motion that night wasn’t about switching insurance companies but concerning the city’s longtime insurance broker.
“The motion that came up to the council was to replace our insurance broker,” said Ald. William Barron (4th).
Yet Ald. Wanda Mc Dowell, who made the motion, said, “That is not true.”
She explained that they were informed employees would face higher costs and potential losses for taxpayers if no action was taken.
“Correct, so why would we put our city in a deficit to stay with a broker that was causing us higher rates,” Mc Dowell said.
The council indicated it’s willing to revisit this issue again, but for now, the fight for lower insurance rates goes on.
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