Medical Benefits
The MWRD's medical benefits are administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Two options are offered for medical coverage: Participating Provider Option (PPO) or the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Both plans include prescription drug coverage.
Medical Plans Comparison Chart
Dental Benefits
The MWRD's dental benefits are administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Two options are offered for dental coverage: a fee-for-service plan (PPO) or a prepaid dental plan (DMO).
Dental Plan - HMO Highlight Sheet
Dental Plan - PPO Highlight Sheet
Vision Benefits
The MWRD provides vision care benefits administered by Eyemed. If you are enrolled in one of the MWRD’s medical plans, you are automatically enrolled in vision benefits.
Life Insurance Benefits
The MWRD provides $20,000 basic term life insurance coverage to all eligible MWRD employees at no charge. MWRD employees are also able to purchase additional term life insurance, up to $250,000, as well as life insurance coverage for eligible spouses and dependents.
Tuition Reimbursement
The MWRD provides tuition reimbursement, at a rate of 75 percent of tuition costs up to a maximum reimbursement of $10,000 per calendar year, for approved undergraduate and graduate on-line or classroom courses, as well as non-credit or certificate courses.
Other Benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts
Medical Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) offer pre-tax payroll deductions to be used to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance. Limits are adjusted annually, according to IRS regulations.
Dependent Care Spending Accounts offer pre-tax payroll deductions to be used to help pay for the expenses for the care of your child while you are at work. The federal pre-tax limit is $5,000 per year.
Transportation Spending Accounts are pre-tax plans offered to employees using public transportation to commute to and from work. Limits are adjusted annually, according to IRS regulations.
Parking Spending Accounts are pre-tax plans offered to employees to cover parking expenses incurred for work purposes. Limits are adjusted annually, according to IRS regulations.
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) The MWRD provides quarterly contributions to an HRA account for all full-time employees eligible to participate in the health insurance benefits. These contributions may be used for current or future out-of-pocket medical, dental or vision expenses for the employee and any eligible dependents.
MWRD Pension Plan
Through a combination of MWRD and tax-qualified employee contributions, the pension fund provides for retirement income based on salary and length of service.
MWRD Employees Credit Union
The MWRD Employees Credit Union offers savings, checking, loan and many other services and discounts.
Critical Illness Insurance: Benefits are paid out as a flat amount of money to the insured in the event of a diagnosis of certain life threatening illnesses.
Deferred Compensation Retirement Savings Plan (457b)
The Deferred Compensation Plan offers employees an additional opportunity to save for retirement on a pre-tax basis. Limits are adjusted annually, according to IRS regulations.
Vacation Pay
The MWRD provides paid vacation time based on length of service. Vacation is calculated as follows:
| First 5 Years | 2 weeks |
| Next 10 Years | 3 weeks |
| After 15 Years | 4 weeks |
| After 25 Years | 5 weeks |
Sick Leave
Employees accrue 12 sick leave days per year.
Holiday Pay
Employees are paid for eleven holidays per year plus two or three optional holidays dependent upon start date with the MWRD.
| New Year's Day | Memorial Day | Veteran's Day |
| Martin Luther King Day | Juneteenth | Thanksgiving Day |
| Lincoln's Birthday | Independence Day | Christmas Day |
| President's Day | Labor Day |
EAP – Employee Assistance Program
EAP offers professional and confidential counseling services designed to help address personal concerns and life issues. The MWRD provides EAP services to all eligible MWRD employees at no charge.
