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Benefits Summary
Progressive Salary Administration
For classified employees the salary schedule is modified for cost of living adjustments in April and October, capped at 5% annually. Automatic increases occur at six months (end of probation), 12 months and 24 months. Employees then fit into our annual, April merit step plan until employees reach the top of the position’s salary range.
Group Health Plan
The Town has a comprehensive self-funded medical plan with a Preferred Provided Option. PHCS is our PPO. Click to access the PHCS Physician’s Listing. Benefits under the PPO are subject to the deductible and eligible expenses are paid at 80%. Non-PPO expenses are subject to the deductible and are paid at 70%. The plan pays for reasonable and customary charges. The Town has a prescription drug card. Eligible expenses under the Rx card are paid at 70%. The Town pays the monthly insurance premium for regular full time employees. Dependent coverage is available with the Town contributing 50% toward the dependent premium.
Group Dental Plan
The Town has a comprehensive self-funded dental plan that provides payment of 80% of eligible expenses for preventive and 70% of basic care. Preventive dental benefits are not subject to the deductible. The plan pays 70% for major services. The Town pays the monthly premium for regular full time employees. Dependent coverage is available with the Town contributing 50% toward the premium. The maximum benefit is $2,000 per person per calendar year.
Vision Plan
VSP is the provider of the Town's vision plan. There are two plans for employees to choose from. The plans cover a portion of the cost of exams, contacts, lenses and frames. Refer to www.vsp.com for more information about benefits, discounts and doctor listings.
Pension Programs
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) is the pension system for all classified civilian employees. Vesting occurs at 8 years of service. Retirement benefits are based on two factors, the years of service and each member’s highest 48 months of earnings as an IMRF member. This plan includes short and long-term disability and death benefits. Employees contribute 4.5% of earnings annually in addition to the Employer’s contribution.
ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation and Roth IRA Plans
Participants may contribute up to $15,500 in 2007 of pre-tax earnings, or 100% of gross salary, whichever is less under the ICMA-RC 457k tax sheltered retirement savings plan. Participants select from among numerous funds with varying degrees of risk and potential return. Town employees also have the option of making Roth IRA contributions through payroll deduction. The advantage of Roth IRAs is that while investors contribute to them on an after-tax basis, they have the opportunity to withdraw their earnings on a tax-free basis, assuming certain conditions are met. The ability to make a full contribution of $4,000 ($8,000 for joint filers) to a Roth IRA is limited to employees with a modified adjusted gross income (“MAGI”) of less than $95,000 (single tax filing status) and less than $150,000 (joint filing status).
Flexible Spending Plan
This is a salary reduction plan in accordance with IRS regulations. Participants selecting pre-tax payment of their dependent health and dental premiums, day care expenses or uncovered medical expenses will have those payroll deductions sheltered from taxable income.
Life Insurance
The Town provides a $30,000 term policy with Accidental Death & Dismemberment to all regular full time employees. Optional dependent coverage for spouse ($10,000), children over 6 months ($3,000), and children from 14 days to 6 months ($100), is available. The Town offers two voluntary life insurance programs. One is a decreasing term life insurance program sponsored by IMRF. The other is a term life program from Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. Insurance can be purchased for employee, spouse and dependant children. Evidence of insurability may be required.
Holidays
Nine paid holidays are provided each year. They are New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and one Floating Holiday.
Personal Convenience Days
Employees receive three paid days per fiscal year. New hires receive a pro-rated share of PC time at hire. Increases of one additional day occur after reaching 20 years of service then again after reaching 25 years of service.
Vacation Leave
Employees receive vacation leave based on the following. After one year of service, two weeks; after seven years of service, three weeks; and, after fourteen years of service, four weeks. Vacation leave is accrued at the start of each fiscal year (April 1). Those starting after April 1 will accrue a pro-rated share.
Sick Leave
Classified employees earn sick leave at the rate of one day per month, twelve days per year. Maximum accumulation is 120 days. Employees may use sick leave for personal illness, injury, or doctors appointments. Employees may also use sick leave (up to 5 days) for needed care of a spouse, dependent less than 18 years of age, or parent.
Family & Medical Leave
Under the Family & Medical Leave Act of 1992, employees may receive
up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave for qualifying events, such as the
birth of a newborn, adoption, or serious personal illness. Employees
declare whether they will to be on paid, through their leave time,
or non-paid status.
Under the laws of the State of Illinois employees may be eligible
for up to 12 workweeks of leave during any 12-month period under
the Victims Economic Security and Safety Act. This leave must be
related to domestic or sexual violence or a family or household
member. Benefits may include maintenance of benefits during an eligible
absence and restoration to position or equivalent position upon
return from eligible leave.
Education/Training
Employees may apply for reimbursement of up to 100% of tuition and books for pre-approved, job-related courses. Some positions may have opportunities to attend conferences, workshops or other on-going professional development.
Employee Assistance Program
The Town’s EAP provides professional counseling services and specialty referral for employees and dependents. Chestnut Global Partners is the current EAP Coordinator. Services include meeting with employees or dependents to determine the proper course of treatment, providing some counseling services free of charge, or referring the client to an appropriate outside counselor. The Town’s Health Plan may pay for a portion of counseling services.
Wellness Program
This program provides 60% reimbursement for pre-approved wellness related programs or classes. Approved wellness activities may include aerobic classes and smoking cessation classes, or similar programs. The Town conducts an annual health fair for employees and dependents. Activities may include bone density screenings, blood pressure check, and much more.
The Town has contracted with BroMenn Healthcare for a part-time Wellness Specialist to work on site with Town employees to coordinate a comprehensive wellness program, including personal consultations with employees and dependants. Health screenings are also done annually which include glucose and lipid profile screens.
Employees may join either the Four Seasons Health Club or The Workout Company. The Four Seasons offers the benefits of 2 large health and fitness clubs, including a 1.8 mile, carpeted, indoor track, large weight room, several basketball and racquetball/handball court, adult and child indoor pools and sauna. The Workout Company is a large health and fitness club in Normal with personal trainers and top fitness equipment. The Town also has an Employee Fitness Center with 24-hour access for regular employees and their dependents. This fitness room has five weight stations, a large set of dumbbells, benches, Air-Dyne cycles, treadmills, an Elliptical Trainer, and a Stairmaster Step Mill. A television/VCR, and CD/Cassette/Radio Player, and mirrors on two walls round out the fitness experience.
Employee Credit Union
The Town supports the Normal City Employees Federal Credit Union (NCEFCU). NCEFCU provides an alternative institution for personal savings through payroll deductions. Employee/members may be eligible for a signature loan and for collateralized loans.
Legal Consultations
Employees may obtain free legal advice on some personal matters from the Legal Department. The Legal Department does not, however, provide legal representation for Town employees.
Employee Appreciation
Other benefits the Town has provided include the annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon and Length of Service awards. Activities and other tokens of appreciation are also offered to employees.
Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is a free service for electronically delivering payroll funds to an employee’s bank of their choice each payday.
*This is a summary highlighting some of the Town benefits. It is intended as an overview. The Town reserves the right to amend or end any or all benefits under its control. For specific questions on benefits contact the Human Resources Department.