Cook County College Teachers Union

208 West Kinzie Street • Chicago, 1L 60610 • (312) 755-9400 • Fax (312) 755-1030

6 November 2006

Dear Local 1600 Retiree Chapter Member,

This purpose of this letter is to update you on the progress ofthe "Joint Task Force on the College Insurance Program." As you know, Governor Blagojevich signed Senate Joint Resolution 91 (SJR 91) into law creating this taskforce. Last month he appointed me to the panel. (You can find the bill on the State of Illinois website.)

There are two basic "charges" to the task force. The first is to "investigate the current state of CIP" and the second is to "consider the inclusion of the retirees in the City Colleges of Chicago." Although the resolution instructed the task force to make its recommendations by October 31, 2006, we met for the first time at the State of Illinois Building last Friday, November 3,2006. The next meeting is scheduled for December 6,2006. Clearly our recommendations will not be on time.

A few points of information:

Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris was selected by the governor to chair the task force. He did a fine job on Friday.
Local 1600 legislative chair, Bill Naegele, in his role ofICCB Board Member, represented the ICCB at Friday's meeting, and will continue to do so until the recommendations are made to the governor.
Chancellor Wayne Watson is representing the City Colleges of Chicago.
1FT legislative chair Nick Yelverton is representing the 1FT.
There are other task force members from the legislature (Senator Iris Martinez and Rep. Marlow Colvin) as well as from Speaker Madigan's office and President Jones's office. There are also members from SURS and Central Management Services. CMS is responsible for CIP. (You can also find CMS on the website.)
Basically what was done on Friday was to review the taskforce's "charge" and to make clear what our work will necessitate. Two sub committees were formed. They will bring back requested data concerning the plan and the ramifications of including CCC retirees. Work will begin in earnest at the December meeting.
Clearly the work of the task force will not be completed to pass the legislation needed to include CCC retirees in this month's "veto session." We are shooting for the Spring 2007 regular legislative session. This is a possible goal.

Last year (FY2005), for the first time since its inception, CIP suffered a loss. This amount was $5,604,786. This Was a key talking point .
There are currently 3,831 retirees and 824 dependants·in CIP. The City Colleges would add about 1,000 retirees and 500 dependants if they were admitted. It appears CMS and SURS are concerned most about the ramifications of such a number of CCC retirees entering. The City Colleges will present data to support their inclusion.

Although SJR 91 was initially intended simply to investigate the inclusion of CCC retirees, it now is equally concerned with the current (financial) state of the program, including containing premium costs. Thus, this is an issue that affects both CCC retirees, who are not in CIP, and suburban retirees who are. Local 1600 seeks what is best for both groups.

My goal, and Bill Naegele is in total agreement, is to bring CCC retirees into a program which provides excellent coverage at affordable prices. I am confident the task,force can achieve both these goals. Friday's meeting was marked by a thoughtful and collegial .exchange of attentive taskforce members who alrdesire to "do the right thing."

I will keep you informed both through the retiree's chapter and through letters, such as this one, after each meeting. As always, feel free to contact me here at the Union office if you have any questions.

Faithfully,

Perry J. Buckley
President