Dear Editor:

On February 10, 2000, the Winnebago County Board quietly, without debate, rewarded its retired employees by raising their insurance rates from 50 to 105%. Retirees over 65, on Medicare, got only a 50% increase and have to only come up with another $530 extra dollars this year. Those under 65 taking single coverage got a 105% increase and must come up with another $2,240 to keep their insurance, while those under 65 wanting family coverage will get an 80% hike and need to take $5,370 out of their resources if they want to continue their insurance. Many of these people may want to drop their coverage, but because of long-term illness, will not be able to do so.

Winnebago County sells itself to the people as government that cares, and its employees are its biggest attribute. I guess this does not apply to those people who put in many years of service and are now retired. The retirees will get a notice that as of April 1^st, their rates are raised. If they do not read the fine print, they might miss that they will get another substantial rate increase next year.

This is an outrageous way to treat people who have worked long and hard for Winnebago County. Something else could have been done. Maybe there is some shame on the part of our elected officials, and that is why it was done so quickly and quietly without any debate or publicity. I'm glad that I am not retired from working for Winnebago County.

Phillip R. Johnson

County Board District 3

Machesney Park