The City of Springfield has reversed its decision not to extend partner benefits to civil union spouses, after a city committee came under fire for voting to deny the benefits based on financial concerns.
The Joint Labor/Management Health Care Committee, a Springfield committee comprised of city staffers and retirees, had voted to keep its eligibility standards for insurance, which did not include civil union spouses.
LGBT activists argued that the vote violated the letter and spirit of the civil union act, which went into effect in June.
The Civil Rights Agenda ( TCRA ) announced on Dec. 10 that the committee had voted unanimously to reverse its decision and extend the benefits.
"It is difficult to express appreciation when a unit of government follows the law," said Anthony Martinez, executive director of TCRA, in a statement. Martinez added that it was due to a handful of alderman that the vote was reversed.
The committee initially voted against extending to benefits due to an actuarial projection that the move would cost the city $725,000, despite the fact that no city employee in a civil union had yet inquired about the benefits. The committee argued that vote was legal because the city is self-insured.
But in early January, Mayor J. Michael Houston urged the committee to reconsider, and said that he believed a court would not look favorably upon the decision.
"Given the experience of other units of government that are providing civil union coverage, I do not believe that there will be a large number of participants joining the plan," Houston wrote. "I urge the committee to strongly consider that assumption in reevaluating its position, especially since it is able to review and adjust premiums on a quarterly basis."
According to TCRA, a revised actuarial estimate put the cost of the extension at $66,000, in anticipation of covering just six couples.
According to Equality Illinois, nearly 150 residents of Springfield signed a petition urging the committee to reconsider its vote.
"We commend the LGBT community and our allies in Springfield for speaking out in favor of equal treatment for each and every couple," said Randy Hannig, Jr., director of public policy for Equality Illinois.
Springfield's new fiscal year begins on March 1.
Original Windy City Times coverage at www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Springfield-votes-against-benefits-for-civil-union-couples/35382.html
