Hales discusses myths surrounding sick leave buyback debate

Posted on August 26, 2015

Bloomington City Manager David Hales. (WJBC file photo)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington is weighing its options in regards to shutting down a program that has led to spiked pensions.

City Manager David Hales told WJBC’s Terry James there are some myths about the sick leave buyback program, like that a city employee will simply receive a check for unused sick days at the end of their career.

“Even for employees who are part of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, any accrued sick leave that ultimately is paid, say, upon retirement, goes into the RHS: Retirement Savings Account,” Hales said. “It does not go into their pocket.”

Money deposited into an RHS account can only be used on specific medical expenses.

The only exception to this, Hales said, is employees in AFSCME Local 699 that can receive a check for sick leave buyback.

The city has ended sick leave buyback for most new city employees and has 60 days to craft a proposal regarding sick leave buy back for grandfathered employees.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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