By Scott Reeder, Illinois Policy Institute -
It’s hard to feel sorry for Gordon Maag. The 61-year-old state retiree is pulling in an annual pension of $98,696 -- but he is still suing the state for more.
In addition to the hefty pension he began collecting at age 55 and his annual guaranteed cost of living adjustments, he believes he is entitled to free health insurance for life.
In June, Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation which calls for requiring retired state employees, university workers, lawmakers and judges to begin paying premiums for state health insurance.
It’s the state’s first baby step toward being a bit more austere with public employee benefits. Mind you, no one is asking all of these retirees to carry all of the freight for their health insurance. The cash-strapped state is just asking them to pay a portion of the premium.
Nothing doing, says Maag, who was the first retiree to file a lawsuit.
According to news accounts, the retired judge contends the new law "abolishes free health insurance to Illinois retirees who were and are entitled to free health insurance on account of working for the state for 20 or more years of service, or, in the case of retired legislators, four years, and in the case of retired judges, six years."
You read that right, he contends it is unconstitutional for the state to ask retirees to make do with less.
In fact, he says they are entitled. More HERE
