State Of Illinois Employee Benefits 2022

City Of Bloomington Illinois

The City of Bloomington provides a wide variety of benefits. Eligibility is dependent upon a variety of factors, including union affiliation and job classification. The following is a list of benefits at a glance that apply to newly hired Classified/non-union employees and most union employees.

InsuranceHealth, Dental, and Vision is provided by the City to eligible employees. The City contributes towards premiums for employee and dependent coverage. Life Insurance is also provided to eligible employees.

Click here to access health insurance machine readable files, provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois.

Retirement and Pension PlansThe City has different pension plans for which employees may qualify. Full-time employees are covered under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund , Police Pension or Fire Pension. We also offer a tax deferred 457 Plan & Roth IRA that employees may use to supplement their retirement.

Click here for IMRF’s Employer Cost and Participant information.

HolidaysThe City of Bloomington observes the following holidays:

May depend on union contract/employee group:

Personal Convenience Days16 hours per fiscal year

Wellness Day8 hours per fiscal year for those who participate in the Wellness program.

Employee Assistance Program

Special Eligibility Information For Non

Illinois State University participates in the State Universities Retirement System .

Employees may not be eligible to participate in SURS if they hold a certain visa and have not yet established residency status for tax purposes. F-1 and J-1 visa holders generally fall into this category. Employees who are non-U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact Payroll at for assistance in determining their eligibility.

At the time an individual is a resident alien for tax purposes, they will be eligible to participate in SURS and will then be eligible to participate in the Group Insurance Program as of the residency change date that they become a resident alien. Until that time, insurance can be purchased through an individuals own arrangements. Information is available about short term insurance policies in the Office of International Studies and Programs, Fell Hall, room 308. Contact: or visit the International Studies website.

Note: “Resident Alien for tax purposes” is different than “Resident Alien for immigration purposes.”

Remedy Added To The Personal Record Review Act

Effective January 1, 2022, an employee has a private cause ofaction against an employer who discloses the employee’sdisciplinary records to a third party in violation of the PersonalRecord Review Act. The employee has three years after the date ofthe disclosure to file a lawsuit and the employee can collectactual damages plus costs. For a willful and knowing violation, theemployee can recover $200 plus costs, attorneys’ fees, andactual damages.

Recommended Reading: Social Security Benefits Sign Up

Legal Requirements Of The Transparency In Coverage Rule Of 2021

The federal rule requires health insurers and employers to post in-network rates and out-of-network allowed amounts on public websites. This information must be updated monthly.

While consumers can access this information, the machine-readable files below are primarily intended for researchers and actuaries:

Life And Accidental Death And Dismemberment Insurance

• Amazon currently provides two times your annual base salary for Basic Life and AD& D Insurance at no cost to you.
• You can buy supplemental life insurance coverage for yourself, payable to your designated beneficiaries if you die. You can buy coverage in amounts of 1x to 10x your base annual earnings, up to $2,000,000.
• You can buy life insurance to cover your spouse/domestic partner in amounts of $25,000 or ½ to 5x your base annual salary, up to $250,000 not to exceed 100% of your total amount of life insurance .
• You can buy life insurance to cover your children in certain amounts up to $20,000.
• An accelerated death benefit is available in certain situations involving a terminal illness.
• You can buy supplemental AD& D insurance to cover just yourself, or yourself and your eligible dependents, of 1x to 10x your basic annual earnings, up to $2,000,000.

Don’t Miss: Shrm 2021 Employee Benefits Survey

Equal Pay Act Requires Registration For Equal Pay Registrationcertificate

Between March 24, 2022 and March 23, 2024, companies with 100 ormore employees must apply to the Illinois Department of Labor foran Equal Pay Registration Certificate . The employer mustthen apply for recertification every two years.

For certification, the employer is required to submit a list ofemployees separated by gender, race, and ethnicity that shows the total wages paid to each employee in the previouscalendar year, the county in which each employee works, and theirstart dates.

In addition, the amendment increases the penalty for a violationof an employee’s right to be paid equal wages for equal work,regardless of gender. In such situations, employers with more than100 employees are subject to a civil fine of up to $10,000 peremployee affected.

It Is More Important Than Ever To Get The Flu Shot

Image source: /content/dam/soi/en/web/cms/benefits/stateemployee/publishingimages/flushot.png

Attention ALL State Employees & Retirees:

YOU HAVE OPTIONS REGARDING FLU SHOTS

Be Well Illinois, CMS, and its health partners, enthusiastically encourage you and your covered dependents to get your flu shot this year, as it is more important than ever. As flu season is once again upon us, there are many options available to State Employees and Retirees to get their flu shots. Below are scheduled on-site clinics in Springfield State agencies.

Check back here regularly as updates will be coming for other areas as we receive them.

For outside the Springfield and Chicago areas: your best option may be your local health department,* or contact your health plan to locate where you can get your free flu shot. *Please contact your local health department for times and availability.

It is also important to note that you can get a flu shot at your Dr.’s office and most pharmacies will bill your insurance. Please contact your health plan administrator for details about this option.

Image source: /content/dam/soi/en/web/cms/benefits/stateemployee/publishingimages/flu-shots/sleeve-up.jpg

Don’t Miss: Extra Social Security Benefits For Vets

What Are People Saying About Illinois Secure Choice

Illinois Secure Choice has worked very hard to make it as simple as possible, and I really appreciate that.

-Denise Geske,Co-Owner, Fox and Hounds Salon & Spa

This is brand new, this is ground breaking

-Keely Selko,Office Manager, The Dearborn Tavern

Individuals have not received compensation for their testimonials. Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other customers.

The Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program is an automatic enrollment payroll deduction retirement savings program overseen by the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Board . Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC is the program administrator. ACSR and its affiliates are responsible for day-to-day program operations. Participants saving through IL Secure Choice beneficially own and have control over their IRAs, as provided in the Program Description available at saver.ilsecurechoice.com. IL Secure Choice is not sponsored by the employer, and therefore the employer is not responsible for the Program or liable as a Program sponsor. Employers are not permitted to endorse the Program or encourage or advise employees on whether to participate, how much to contribute, or provide investment help.

IL Secure Choice is a completely voluntary retirement program. Participants may opt out at any time or reduce or increase the amount of payroll contributions. If a participant opts out, they can later opt back into IL Secure Choice.

Employee Restricted Stock Units

At Amazon, most employees have the ability to become owners of the company through the granting and vesting of Restricted Stock Units . Depending on your job level and if you are scheduled to work 30+ hours per week, you are eligible to:

• Receive a grant of RSUs that vest over time, in accordance with plan documents.
• Have opportunities for additional RSU grants.

Amazon is continually evaluating new ways to provide other types of ownership opportunities for all employees.

Recommended Reading: Veteran Owned Business Tax Benefits

Flexible Spending Account Program

State employees are able to save money by taking advantage of several pre-tax programs. Options include flexible spending accounts , commuter savings program and the Deferred Compensation Plan including 457 and 403b. ConnectYourCare provides services for medical and dependent care flexible spending programs. Commuter Check Direct provides services for the commuter savings program.

Usa Illinois Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

This section covers the full range of matters involving employee benefits and compensation plans including advising on the design and implementation thereof, as well as related taxation issues. It also includes advice on executive compensation agreements and benefits matters pertaining to corporate transactions. Moreover, it includes contentious matters pertaining to the implementation of benefit plans. Please also see ERISA litigation for disputes brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Also Check: Medicare Disability Benefits Under 65

Artificial Intelligence Video Interview Act Expanded

Effective January 1, 2022, employers who rely solely onartificial intelligence analysis of video interviews to determinewhether a candidate will receive an in-person interview must complywith collection and reporting requirements. Such employers mustcollect and report to the Department of Commerce and EconomicOpportunity the race and ethnicity of all candidates who are andare not given an in-person interview.

Rankings Overview For Departments

Also Check: How Apply For Social Security Benefits

Eligibility For Group Insurance From The State Of Illinois

Eligibility is defined by the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 or as hereafter amended , and by such policies, rules and regulations as shall be promulgated thereunder.

For an explanation of the criteria employees must meet to be eligible to participate in the Group Insurance Program, please review the “Eligibility Requirements” section of the Benefits Handbook located in the “Insurance Resources” box.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact a Benefits Counselor at .

Providers You Know And Trust

Our statewide network of doctors, hospitals and clinics connects you to world-class care at the names you already know and trust. Were contracted with all major health systems in the Springfield area, and were the only plan to offer in-network coverage at the Carle and OSF HealthCare systems in the Bloomington-Normal area. Wherever youre at in Illinois, we connect you with the care you deserve.

Recommended Reading: Do I Have To Pay Taxes On Unemployment Benefits

Victims Economic Security And Safety Act Expands

Effective January 1, 2022, the Victims Economic Security andSafety Act expanded the circumstances under which anemployer is required to provide employees who are victims ofdomestic violence, sexual violence, or gender violence with unpaidleave from work to address issues related to the violence. Thisrequirement to allow unpaid leave now applies to family orhousehold members of individuals who suffer such violence.

The type of violence for which an individual can take leaveunder VESSA also expanded and now includes harassment, sexoffenses, assault, obscene communications, armed violence, andother crimes. Further, the list of eligible individuals who cantake leave expanded to include family members, any person whoshares a relationship to the employee through a child, and anyoneelse with a close relationship with the employee, equivalent to afamily member.

The law also now states that an employee can be required toprovide documentation in support of the request for leave only ifthe employee is in possession of the necessary documents. Further,the employer is now required to keep confidential all aspects ofthe leave pursuant to VESSA.

State Of Illinois Deferred Compensation Plan

Image source: /content/dam/soi/en/web/cms/benefits/deferred/publishingimages/stateofillinios-shell-c2.png

LATEST NEWS

• Deferral limits will increase for 2023. The IRS announced that contribution limitations governing 457 plans will increase for 2023 as the increase in the Consumer Price Index was sufficient to meet the statutory thresholds for its adjustment. Therefore, the elective deferral limit for employees who participate in Deferred Compensation will increase to $22,500. The additional over-50 catch-up contribution limit will increase to $7,500, making the total contribution limit for those aged 50 and older $30,000. The Special Catch-up limit will increase to $45,000.

The State of Illinois Deferred Compensation Plan is a supplemental retirement program for State employees. Contributions to the Plan can be made on a pre-tax or Roth basis through salary deferrals. The combined pre-tax and Roth contributions cannot exceed the limit set by the IRS. In 2023, employees are allowed to defer up to $22,500. Employees over age 50 are allowed to defer up to $30,000. Employees enrolled in Special Catch-Up are allowed to defer up to $45,000. Participants that are within three years of retiring must contact CMS Deferred Compensation to apply for Special Catch-Up.

Don’t Miss: Are Social Security Benefits Taxable After Age 66

Freedom To Work Act Expanded

Effective January 1, 2022, the Freedom to Work Act expanded toprohibit employers from entering into non-compete agreements withemployees making less than $75,000 per year, and from entering intonon-solicitation agreements with employees making less than $45,000a year. The salary below which these restrictive covenants arebarred will increase every five years.

The amended Act further prohibits non-compete andnon-solicitation agreements for employees laid off due togovernment or business actions due to COVID-19 or a similarcircumstance.

Employers are required to inform employees in writing to consultwith an attorney before entering into a non-compete ornon-solicitation agreement, and the employer must provide theemployee with the agreements at least 14 days before signing toallow for review.

The amendments are not retroactive and only apply to non-competeand non-solicitation agreements entered into after January 1,2022.

Total Retiree Advantage Illinois Program

The 2023 TRAIL Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Open Enrollment Period

The State of Illinois offers retirees, annuitants, and survivors , The Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program , and the College Insurance Program ) a healthcare program entitled Total RetireeAdvantage Illinois . This program provides Medicare-eligible members and their covered dependents comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage through TRAIL Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans.

For members who are newly eligible for Medicare, you will have two opportunities for enrollment:

Initial Enrollment : this is offered to all Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents within 60-days of the 65th birthday . Initial enrollment is a one-time offering.

To better prepare for your Medicare Enrollment, click here to review this Medicare Checklist:

• Medicare Checklist for TRIP Retirees

Open Enrollment : an annual enrollment period held in the fall of each year. This enrollment period is open for Medicare-eligible retirees, survivors, and their dependents to change their elections, or for anyone who previously waived or canceled coverage to re-enroll.

To be eligible for coverage under a Total Retiree Advantage Illinois Medicare Advantage

Prescription Drug plan, you and your eligible dependents must:

Live in the United States or the U.S. Territories, AND

Read Also: Average Cost Of Health Benefits Per Employee

Changes Made To Requirement Regarding Rest And Eating Breaksfor Workers

Effective January 1, 2023, the requirements of the One Day Restin Seven Act have changed. Previously, ODRISA requiredthat covered employees receive a minimum of 24 hours of rest percalendar week. However, starting January 1, ODRISA now mandatesthat employees receive a minimum of 24 hours rest per any sevenconsecutive day period. Thus, if an employee works for sixconsecutive days, they now must be given the seventh day off,regardless of whether that period occurred from Sunday throughSaturday.

In addition, ODRISA expanded the meal break requirement. ODRISAstill mandates that covered employees receive a 20-minute mealbreak for every seven and a half hour shift, with the meal breakoccurring no later than five hours into the shift. However, as ofJanuary 1, covered employees are also entitled to an additional20-minute meal break for each additional four and a half hoursworked after the initial seven and a half hour shift. This meansthat a covered employee is now entitled to two 20-minute mealbreaks in a 12 hour shift.

Further, the ODRISA notice requirement expanded on January 1.The law now requires that employers conspicuously post a noticesummarizing ODRISA and providing information about how to file acomplaint. In addition, for employees who do not regularly reportto a physical workspace, employers must now also email the noticeor post it on a website that the employer regularly uses to providework-related information.

What Determines Eligibility

Employee benefits eligibility is determined by several factors, including full or part-time status as well as appointment /classification type , job, and in cases of some foreign national employees, tax status.

General Benefits Eligibility

• Employees with appointment of 50% time or more and eligible to participate in SURS
• Faculty: 100% time with an appointment that is greater than or equal to, 4.5 months but less than 9 months
• Faculty with 50 99 % of the average weekly hours required of a full-time employee in the same position
• Full time status Permanent employees who work 100% of a normal work period
• Please contact UPB Benefits Services to verify benefits eligibility
• J-1 or F-1 visas are not eligible for insurance until the Substantial Presence test has been met. OBFS Payments to Foreign Nationals please contact Payroll for further assistance
• See also ELIGIBILITY in My UI Info

Employees newly eligible for benefits have 30 calendar days from their hire date or eligibility date to make State Insurance plan elections, including declining insurance coverage.

Failure to elect insurance plans within 30 calendar days results in the following default enrollment for both full and part-time employees:

• Quality Care Health Plan including EyeMed Vision
• Quality Care Dental Plan
• Basic Life Insurance Free 1x annual salary
• NO DEPENDENT COVERAGE will be included

You May Like: Why Would Social Security Benefits Be Suspended