Blagojevich extends partner benefits to gays and lesbians
Blagojevich extends partner benefits to gays and lesbians
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
By Gary Barlow
Staff writer
Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) issued an executive order May 8 extending health benefits to the domestic partners of non-union gay and lesbian state employees under his control, effective July 1.
The move puts those employees and their partners on the same footing as married heterosexual state workers and takes effect the same day gay and lesbian state employees in union jobs get domestic partner benefits.
“It’s only fair that as benefits become available to some state employees, they become available to all state employees,” Blagojevich said. “I’m signing this administrative order to make sure that everyone in my administration has equal access to good benefits and good health care.”
State employees covered under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union contract are slated to get DP benefits under a new agreement negotiated in 2004 and taking effect July 1. AFSCME represents about 37,000 state employees.
In issuing the order extending DP benefits to non-union employees at state agencies and offices under his control, Blagojevich also challenged legislative leaders, heads of state retirement systems, state university chiefs and the state’s other constitutional officers—the lieutenant governor, treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general and comptroller—to do the same for their employees.
Those leaders have until May 12 to opt into the DP benefits program, according to a letter sent to each of them May 8 by Paul Campbell, director of the state’s Central Management Systems. None had responded as CFP went to press May 9, but gay advocates were hopeful that they would follow the governor’s lead.
“Not only is it great that the governor has done it, it’s also great that he’s asked for all employees to be covered,” said Equality Illinois’ Rick Garcia. “It’s good public policy. It protects Illinois families and it’s really welcome.”
Ill. Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago), who led the Senate floor battle last year to ban anti-GLBT discrimination in Illinois, praised the governor’s move as “another big step forward in the ongoing struggle for equality,” and the state’s only openly gay legislator, Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Chicago) said, “I am proud of Gov. Blagojevich for making this happen.”
Two openly gay appointees of the governor who lead state departments, Department of Human Rights Director Rocco Claps and Director of the Illinois Division of Insurance Michael McRaith, said the move demonstrated “active leadership” by Blagojevich.
“This should not be a privilege awarded to just those in a traditional marriage, but also people in committed, long-term relationships,” Claps said.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said the governor’s action and the new contract with AFSCME make Illinois the 13th state to offer DP benefits to most state employees.
“The families of lesbian and gay employees need and deserve the same benefits as all others, including access to affordable health insurance and to be able to take care of family members in emergency situations,” said NGLTF executive director Matt Foreman. “This is what the governor’s action today is all about—basic fairness.”
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
By Gary Barlow
Staff writer
Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) issued an executive order May 8 extending health benefits to the domestic partners of non-union gay and lesbian state employees under his control, effective July 1.
The move puts those employees and their partners on the same footing as married heterosexual state workers and takes effect the same day gay and lesbian state employees in union jobs get domestic partner benefits.
“It’s only fair that as benefits become available to some state employees, they become available to all state employees,” Blagojevich said. “I’m signing this administrative order to make sure that everyone in my administration has equal access to good benefits and good health care.”
State employees covered under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union contract are slated to get DP benefits under a new agreement negotiated in 2004 and taking effect July 1. AFSCME represents about 37,000 state employees.
In issuing the order extending DP benefits to non-union employees at state agencies and offices under his control, Blagojevich also challenged legislative leaders, heads of state retirement systems, state university chiefs and the state’s other constitutional officers—the lieutenant governor, treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general and comptroller—to do the same for their employees.
Those leaders have until May 12 to opt into the DP benefits program, according to a letter sent to each of them May 8 by Paul Campbell, director of the state’s Central Management Systems. None had responded as CFP went to press May 9, but gay advocates were hopeful that they would follow the governor’s lead.
“Not only is it great that the governor has done it, it’s also great that he’s asked for all employees to be covered,” said Equality Illinois’ Rick Garcia. “It’s good public policy. It protects Illinois families and it’s really welcome.”
Ill. Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago), who led the Senate floor battle last year to ban anti-GLBT discrimination in Illinois, praised the governor’s move as “another big step forward in the ongoing struggle for equality,” and the state’s only openly gay legislator, Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Chicago) said, “I am proud of Gov. Blagojevich for making this happen.”
Two openly gay appointees of the governor who lead state departments, Department of Human Rights Director Rocco Claps and Director of the Illinois Division of Insurance Michael McRaith, said the move demonstrated “active leadership” by Blagojevich.
“This should not be a privilege awarded to just those in a traditional marriage, but also people in committed, long-term relationships,” Claps said.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said the governor’s action and the new contract with AFSCME make Illinois the 13th state to offer DP benefits to most state employees.
“The families of lesbian and gay employees need and deserve the same benefits as all others, including access to affordable health insurance and to be able to take care of family members in emergency situations,” said NGLTF executive director Matt Foreman. “This is what the governor’s action today is all about—basic fairness.”
posted by Carlos T Mock at 7:31 PM
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