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Mount Prospect board approves employee wellness gym funded by insurer rebate after citizen objections
Summary
The village board approved a Village Hall employee wellness gym paid from a $450,000 insurance rebate, after residents questioned using municipal resources; trustees and staff said the project does not use general‑fund dollars and argued it reduces long‑term insurance costs.
The Mount Prospect Village Board voted Dec. 17 to approve installation of exercise equipment in the Village Hall basement, a project officials said is funded by a $450,000 rebate from the village’s health insurance program rather than the general fund. The equipment was on the consent agenda and the amended consent package passed after trustees addressed public concerns.
Residents raised objections during the public comment period, saying they had not been informed and questioning whether the village should provide a gym. Lewis Goodland, a longtime meeting attendee, said he was surprised and skeptical: “I didn’t know anything about it,” he told the board. He asked how the equipment would be scheduled and whether the public would have access.
Village staff and trustees responded that the project is a health‑and‑wellness initiative funded through the insurer’s rebate account. The village’s finance representative said employees earned rebates through wellness participation and the village has already received a $450,000 check to pay for the project. “It’s not coming out of the village’s pocket,” a staff speaker said. Trustees also noted other village departments — police, fire and public works — already have workout facilities, and argued a Village Hall facility supports staff safety, cleanliness and retention.
Trustee Chip Filippone asked for the item to be pulled from consent for additional review; after explanation from staff and further discussion the consent agenda was amended and approved. Trustees emphasized the money is a rebate tied to employee wellness participation and characterized the project as consistent with the village’s strategic plan and insurance‑cost containment goals.
The board adopted the amended consent agenda by roll call and the gym project will proceed under the stated funding structure. The item required no additional appropriation from the general fund and staff said they will present any implementation details (scheduling, access, equipment warranties) as the project is executed.
The board then moved on to other agenda business and closed the meeting.
