Medical Benefits
The District's medical plan is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Two options are offered for medical coverage: Participating Provider Option (PPO) or the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Both plans include prescription and vision benefits.
The District's dental plan is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Two options are offered for dental coverage: a fee-for-service plan (PPO) or a prepaid dental plan (DMO).
The District’s prescription plan is administered by Prime Therapeutics through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. If you are enrolled in one of the District’s medical plans, you are automatically enrolled in the prescription program.
The District's life insurance plan is administered by Unum Group. Term life insurance is offered based on a multiple of the employee's salary up to five times the annual basic pay, not to exceed $250,000. The District provides $20,000 basic coverage to all eligible District employees at no charge. The $250,000 limit does not include the $20,000 basic coverage. Life insurance coverage for eligible dependents is also offered, based on the employee’s optional coverage level.
The District's vision benefits plan is administered by VSP. If you are enrolled in one of the District’s medical plans, you are automatically enrolled in the VSP vision benefits plan.
The tuition reimbursement program is administered by the Compensation and Benefits Section of the Human Resources Department. Tuition costs for undergraduate and graduate degrees or individual courses must be submitted for prior approval. For more information, contact Human Resources at 312-751-5158.
Medical Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Medical Spending Accounts offer pre-tax payroll deductions to be used to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance. This includes but is not limited to over-the-counter medical items, drug co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance payments. Deductions are taken bi-weekly over the plan year in an amount elected by you up to a limit of $2,650 per year. For more information go to http://www.chard-snyder.com.
Dependent Care Spending Accounts: Pre-tax dollars can be used to help pay for the expenses for the care of your child while you are at work. The federal pre-tax limit is $5,000 per year.
Transportation Spending Accounts: This is a pre-tax plan offered to employees using public transportation. Employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for CTA transit cards or Metra passes by enrolling for pre-tax payroll deductions and placing an order from various media choices. The current Transportation pre-tax limit is $260.00 per month.
Parking Spending Accounts: Employees may select an amount up to $260.00 per month to cover parking expenses incurred for work purposes. Pre-tax deductions are taken twice a month for the amount elected and claims are filed for reimbursement.
Through a combination of District and tax-qualified employee contributions, the pension fund provides for retirement income based on salary and length of service. Enrollment forms are completed by all employees upon employment. The Retirement Fund Office is open 8:45am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday at the Main Office Annex Building. Call 312-751-3222.
The MWRD Employees Credit Union offers savings, checking, loan and many other services and discounts. The credit union offices are located at the main office and at Stickney. Visit the website at www.mwrdecu.org.
These plans are offered at group rates and are paid for with after-tax payroll deductions. Enrollment may begin at any time; however, enrollment within the first thirty days of eligibility will only require an abbreviated physical history questionnaire.
Group Universal Life Insurance: This is an additional life insurance option that is rated based on your age and health status at the time of application. The same rate will continue to be in force after leaving the District as long as premiums are paid on time.
Critical Illness Insurance: Benefits are paid out as a flat amount of money to the insured in the event of a diagnosis of certain life threatening illnesses. There is no restriction on how the money is used.
Deferred Compensation Retirement Savings Plan (457)
The Deferred Compensation Plan offers employees an opportunity to save for retirement on a pre-tax basis. Limits are adjusted annually according to IRS regulations. The Deferred Compensation Plan is an excellent way to prepare for financial stability during retirement while reducing taxable income.
The District provides paid vacation time based on length of service. Vacation is calculated as follows:
First 5 years 2 weeks Next 10 years 3 weeks After 15 years 4 weeks After 25 years 5 weeks Questions concerning earned vacation should be directed to the Payroll Section of the Finance Department. Call 312-751-6526.
Employees are paid for ten holidays per year plus two or three optional holidays dependent upon start date with the District.
New Year’s Day Independence Day
Martin Luther King Day Labor Day Lincoln’s Birthday Veterans Day Presidents’ Day Thanksgiving Day Memorial Day Christmas Day
Click here to see the 2019 Holiday Schedule.
Click here to see the 2020 Holiday Schedule.Questions concerning holiday pay should be directed to the Payroll Section of the Finance Department. Call 312-751-6526.
COBRA provides continuation of health and dental coverage after certain qualifying events such as termination or divorce cause an individual to lose their benefits. COBRA is offered at group rates to former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses and dependent children. Former employees and retirees are covered for a maximum of 18 months, while dependents are covered for 36 months. When a qualifying event occurs, the Compensation and Benefits Section automatically generates a COBRA Election Form.
In 2007, the District established a Retiree Health Care Trust to partially fund future retiree health care expenses. The District makes annual contributions to the Trust which is administered by the Treasurer’s Office.