[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6284758,"mediaKeyId","2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2","parentId",2576850,"title","Kane County reviews January Blue Cross invoice and monthly HR metrics; MERP enrollment edges up","audioSeconds",43,"startMs",827000,"endMs",870000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2&start=827&end=870","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2/thumbnail_827000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284758/Kane-County/Illinois/Kane-County-reviews-January-Blue-Cross-invoice-and-monthly-HR-metrics-MERP-enrollment-edges-up","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284758-9b3e3b272ee5e453e1504ad4d86e5f75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129567&Signature=YW0zCHq0mwzR4i0aG1qGfQjIjtV9s~dlJOWh-RhqX5vsyt6e~bhxD3jznuy-2oeS7yrj9~1GVDot8rlmkeOcFVZXik91-CE40jPzk4~hFbnCAZzhaGAi0dp7GN2C9nRHQLCzYvUpepM6rtRi-I24ieNAutwc-nS0aPvOHjSMvhWiWut13Jrf7sTwtACR2BZNQiYN-YKFiNUH5mTV7jP7L931qHZwDNUbaUJAKsKWl50QCltNIk2uWVPoWXdAKza5nUP9QMJL25mM9x3lRCgASNPjgjFYXtSSiubxl2tZKYAbuHkPOjf1eyb86mYSfK~sQ-Qz-YhtNY3bA~GSCdFF-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kane County, IL","date","2025-03-12T13:58:34Z","article","Kane County Human Services Committee members on March 12 reviewed monthly financial reports for the county’s health plans and other human-resources metrics.

Christine, who will present monthly health insurance reports for the county, noted the Blue Cross Blue Shield invoice for January is on file and “in tolerance,” though committee members observed it was on the higher side. A participant stated the invoice was about $1.7 million for the month; staff said that level is above the tolerance point they would prefer (comments cited a tolerance nearer $1.4 million).

Committee members asked whether administrative fees or adjustments in the invoice represented items beyond the carrier’s fee. Human Resources staff and the broker representative explained the administrative line covers per‑employee administrative costs, claim-management activity and occasional retroactive adjustments when employee counts change or stop‑loss items post later.

Assured Partners, the county’s broker, had to reconfigure the annual tracker after merging union and nonunion plans; committee members were told some tracker data were not available for the month because of that reconfiguration. The committee asked for prior-year adjustment totals and a clearer breakout of capitation, administrative and claims columns as the year progresses.

In enrollment metrics, the committee noted MERP enrollment is up to about 80 participants, compared with roughly 70 the prior year.

Committee members asked staff to monitor adjustments and trends through Q1 and Q2 and to provide contract documents and last year’s adjustment history if any anomalous adjustments appear on a year‑to‑date basis. The committee placed the reports on file.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","KC Human Services Committee March 12 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members reviewed the January Blue Cross Blue Shield invoice (about $1.7 million, higher side of tolerance), administrative fee explanations, delayed tracker data due to plan-merger reconfiguration, and a small increase in MERP enrollment to 80.","taxTitle","Kane County, Illinois","taxId",12845,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6284763,"Kane County committee discusses hiring-freeze options amid possible budget shortfall",118,2312000,2430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2&start=2312&end=2430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6284763/Kane-County/Illinois/Kane-County-committee-discusses-hiring-freeze-options-amid-possible-budget-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284763-36e7edf6ec1c84e8dbc9694720ca227b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129567&Signature=kcT9ClHomFB62J5GjJbUTjn8jhrKeOY5P24-cI-ZG0GQM2HPgATN8QGKYUYnepGedc-SSqVvLz0MWjE5NZ9cokj0DeHESvgFyT3DDEIh8DdSxnw1ykOO0mPNvUtTIx7MCMMIfBUiphipokIxR78MGc1lOhSACCpc4vgIo~ymekPMumv-N6ENXBuZToPKTNssmbbW7AIPkPWwYtNE2QlDuazgGAUMDze~7p7E0ibtKmjwHhm8Xh7okhU00sEN1yYxgIsXc7KN3bKRagKnDrHnL0e18knA6muCX421O3UtzjGeFV-jYEthLSF5XumwF2i8vim61cNoiMoDXtIAEt5QrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kane County Human Services Committee members on March 12 discussed whether to adopt a formalized hiring freeze in advance of a pending referendum and a possible budget shortfall.

Jamie reported the county already requires a new-hire authorization form that must be signed by the committee chair before a replacement hire is finalized, and noted that historically the board has approved most replacement hires. “Technically, you're still in a hiring freeze right now,” Jamie said, but added that replacement hires have generally been approved by resolution.

Committee members said a clearer process is needed so the county can “pull the trigger” quickly if the referendum fails. The committee discussed the need for objective criteria and a small, qualified review group to handle exceptions for critical positions. Committee member Roth agreed to meet with HR director Librillo to draft a proposal that could be used by finance and the full board if rapid action is required.

Members raised practical complications, including positions funded by grants and independently elected offices, and noted that roughly 71% of the county salary budget is tied to elected offices and public safety—limits that may constrain the effect of a county-level hiring freeze. Committee members emphasized that any county-level hiring freeze should include a clear exception process for critical services and time‑bound review to avoid unintended service interruptions.

The committee did not adopt a formal resolution at the meeting but directed Roth and Librillo to draft a hiring-freeze proposal and solicited input from all 24 board members. The committee also asked that a draft be ready for finance consideration on March 26 if needed.

The committee cited a projected budget gap and declining reserves as background for the discussion and said it preferred to have a plan available so action can be taken quickly if conditions require it.","Committee members reviewed existing hiring authorization procedures, noted the county is effectively under a hiring freeze for replacement hires, and tasked a small group to draft a more explicit hiring-freeze approach that could be implemented quickly if a referendum fails.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6284768,"Kane County Human Services Committee forwards travel-policy amendment requiring preapproval for board travel over $300",599,2801000,3400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2&start=2801&end=3400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2/thumbnail_2801000.jpg","/articles/6284768/Kane-County/Illinois/Kane-County-Human-Services-Committee-forwards-travel-policy-amendment-requiring-preapproval-for-board-travel-over-300","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284768-724cffb5daa1b43f9a23d2f778803fc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129567&Signature=ZPDEpKgrpbH7ZTCdvSO0SJ3WCklvg2iGbV~SBPfzwIhP5OrjNOQjSRtxkshOdr1MZpx-oBKapuCPh3Eucbo7Y8XORdwJ2pLMQUvjPOIho9na0maK-MTUC6eI~4XqOqzKDhGnM6OAmW4cAKxRziJ3k6kBphKNUGbSnJMFPKb8939BG-Q51aW29fOtqG0xtxZjcjfuwH7pzVZYK-UwmOSZygILJPstsn3tFV9qg07nf2SKqgkiDoU-QXKrs4sy0Rl8C4o3I-L5SmRwrkbYg90Ly-~rKrAcCgXs76JTVL96kgUkyGibOK4TSDLQgWZrhOqsIwpTcvehkoBUWx1sNL~nnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kane County Human Services Committee voted on March 12 to forward a resolution amending the county’s financial policy on travel so that county board members must obtain committee preapproval for travel expenses totaling $300 or more.

Jamie, Department of Human Resource Management, told the committee the draft policy adds an approval process for county board members and does not change internal approvals for county employees; the policy as presented sets the threshold at $300. Jamie said the $300 figure was an initial estimate intended to capture overnight travel and conference registrations that typically exceed local mileage costs.

Committee discussion focused on the threshold, what expenses count toward the $300 total (mileage, parking, registration, lodging), how preapproval would be obtained and whether reimbursement should be contingent on a post-trip report. A committee member asked whether the parent committee approval would bind the full board; Jamie said committee approval is effectively a preapproval and the full board and auditor still review reimbursements in the normal course.

Some members emphasized the policy’s role as a transparency and tracking tool. “The whole point is that it’s a communication tool so that we know who’s going where and why they’re going,” one committee member said, noting members often return from conferences without providing a summary of benefits to the county.

Other members asked whether the policy would apply to elected officeholders such as the sheriff or the county clerk. Assistant State’s Attorney Frank advised that the county’s ability to enforce new reporting requirements for independently elected offices is limited; the committee clarified that the policy is intended to govern county board members (the 24-member board) rather than separately elected office budgets.

The draft also specifies a 60-day window for submitting reimbursement requests and includes a requirement that a completed trip form be submitted with the reimbursement. Committee member Greif moved to forward the resolution; Garcia seconded. The committee voted to send the draft travel policy to the full board for consideration.

Committee members asked human resources to coordinate with finance and the auditor’s office to refine language and to ensure the required post-trip documentation and timetable for reimbursement are explicit before the document advances further in the approval chain.","The committee voted to send a resolution to amend Kane County financial policies so board-member travel expenses of $300 or more require committee preapproval; members debated the $300 threshold, reimbursement timing and whether the policy applies to elected offices.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6284773,"New Kane County risk manager outlines plan to reduce preventable claims",398,1682000,2080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2&start=1682&end=2080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2/thumbnail_1682000.jpg","/articles/6284773/Kane-County/Illinois/New-Kane-County-risk-manager-outlines-plan-to-reduce-preventable-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284773-8b62cce6f189eb9064540179e087ee0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129567&Signature=jMOISmzQ2Z748kQcZRh5pTbxRCKYKkuLTG-kqEo~9MQumwmIbFuQp~bv1ANMH32OSX4VxN9CYDQxebKNLxP375f0tLKzsFvsS335pYFswOoaDPpK6k6DLCCxBzZEoL4FwzNa6BWEE3W818Rf4tmJcL6QQif64SSw~xkSK7O49XvIKFhP5fYWcAgt-63G1719enFmoZLZzUZeb~ZAGqqb036l1DMS6GHCEqFoomj2AXeaJqM1hB~gSIcn16fVEwsA3LiFLr3fB2aI9L-hQMhnzEJmBHw8DZAYDCIs49Ctjc4DNk67PmfFtqPZKGdzPPF63ujKaI2ustqcG2ZgXAsRxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Larson, Kane County’s new risk manager, introduced himself to the Human Services Committee on March 12 and outlined a program designed to reduce preventable incidents, lower claims costs and improve workplace safety.

“Bottom line: to save money,” Larson said as he summarized the program’s goals. Larson, who described more than a decade of public-safety communications and emergency-management experience, presented fiscal-year 2024 figures and said there were 21 preventable claims that the county paid to date; he also described reserves for ongoing claim costs.

Larson proposed a two‑pronged strategy: (1) surveillance, analysis and reporting including regular risk and safety walkthroughs at county worksites and expanded driving-record reviews for employees whose jobs require driving, and (2) education and operational tools such as an operational risk-management approach, a risk-safety newsletter and updated incident-reporting templates. He said the county already reviews CDL drivers for the Division of Transportation but has not consistently monitored driving records for all employees who drive for work.

Committee members pressed on the scope and cadence of reporting. Larson asked how often members want to see reports and which metrics are most useful. The committee instructed Larson to send the reporting questions to members by email so they could provide preferences for frequency and content.

Larson said his office will also support departments and elected offices that request in‑depth risk projects, update incident-reporting templates to ensure prompt and complete information for insurers, and, if needed, support RFPs for commercial insurance or recoveries through subrogation. Committee members noted the position is funded from the liability fund and framed the work as a cost‑saving investment.

Committee members and staff encouraged a focus on clear reports and communications to build trust with elected offices and departments that may be reluctant to participate at first. Larson said success will be measured over time by reduced preventable claims, fewer lost workdays and slower growth in insurance-related costs.

The committee had no formal vote on Larson’s program; members asked him to circulate a reporting proposal and invited further input on priorities and timing.","David Larson, the county’s new risk manager, presented a two‑pronged risk management program focused on inspections, driving-record reviews, training and reporting to reduce preventable incidents and insurance costs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6284778,"Kane County staff weigh options after state law requires first-dollar mental-health coverage for first responders",249,231000,480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2&start=231&end=480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576850-eada988af6beee171cbc1cd44941f9d2/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/6284778/Kane-County/Illinois/Kane-County-staff-weigh-options-after-state-law-requires-first-dollar-mental-health-coverage-for-first-responders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284778-37c42ffb5020fa668f93695cde96396b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129567&Signature=ly~0J7RzH~fsImWnI9mH6x2NtMIu1ZZUIiyZ~eZm0tIBAAGMkyZGfumCc8BK1SXgmgvmepADbA-ibsSG1jP5ARgx9SzqCZcX7W9QXhZGvCnSCx7FESuvj8uPbSsEEXysBLBocm9LSiRzevNRzQ736CMhIIyQY8BVJ2zBfdsOY-mNCUdRiTIqWW8QFTGJZIi82zYvyfy2VpB7Ii-Jc6Z-GildeA0NJ3Re9MjPbgig7K-4KE-jnhMKLVuOqGFfOLwggESGhgBxF2zDmibMSv3ULG2fpznXNRO3nPFjR1R~RYQXFX~R48T32bWMDpKtZU1HPwcnWAFWAVFgYkenjRazhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kane County Human Services Committee members on March 12 discussed how the county will implement a newly passed Illinois statute that requires first responders to receive mental health counseling with $0 copays and $0 deductibles starting June 1.

Jamie, Department of Human Resource Management, told the committee the statute is codified as 65 ILCS 5/10-4-2.4 and will require “first dollar” coverage in the county’s group health plans. Jamie said the county’s HSA plan is exempt under the statute but the county’s HMO and PPO will need modification unless the county creates separate first-responder versions of its plans.

The statute covers corrections officers, deputy sheriffs and 9-1-1 operators, but Jamie said the county currently does not classify those workers the way the statute defines the group. “We don't currently have that classification,” Jamie said, noting new employee classifications and administrative work would be needed if the county chose separate first-responder plans rather than adding the coverage to all plans.

Committee members pressed on timing and costs. The statute takes effect June 1, leaving limited time to change plan designs before midyear renewals or adjustments. Committee member Linder asked whether a separate plan would be only for mental-health services; Jamie replied that creating separate plans would mean full separate PPO and HMO offerings so eligible employees could keep choice of plan type.

Several members urged staff to get more detailed cost and enrollment estimates from the county’s broker and carrier and to identify exactly which employees would qualify under the statutory definition. Jamie said staff already had preliminary conversations with the county’s broker and Blue Cross and that the HSA plan would remain unaffected but the HMO and PPO would need to be modified to meet the first-dollar requirement.

The committee did not take a formal vote but directed Human Resources to continue analysis and to follow up with committee members by email. Jamie said she will send details to the committee and invited members to provide input and help finalize classification and cost estimates before June 1.

The discussion made clear trade-offs: adding the benefit to all enrollees would be administratively simpler but more costly; creating separate first-responder plans would be administratively complex and require new classifications for employees such as 9-1-1 operators who are not sworn officers under existing county designations.

Committee members asked staff to provide broker cost estimates, an enrollment count of eligible employees under the statute’s definitions, and recommendations on whether to amend existing plans or create separate first-responder plan designs.

For transparency, Jamie will email members with further details and any recommended next steps before the county must implement plan changes on June 1.","Kane County Human Services Committee discussed implementing a new Illinois statute requiring first-dollar mental health counseling for first responders by June 1 and whether to add benefits to existing plans or create separate first-responder plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kane County reviews January Blue Cross invoice and monthly HR metrics; MERP enrollment edges up

Kane County committee discusses hiring-freeze options amid possible budget shortfall

Kane County Human Services Committee forwards travel-policy amendment requiring preapproval for board travel over $300

New Kane County risk manager outlines plan to reduce preventable claims

Kane County staff weigh options after state law requires first-dollar mental-health coverage for first responders