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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Michele Clark, Chief Human Resource Officer
DATE: August 27, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) for the Administration of Employee & Retiree Group Dental Insurance Plans and Further Establishing an additional Group Dental Insurance Plan for active employees and Plan Rates for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027
PURPOSE:
To authorize administrative services agreement(s) with BCBSIL and to further establish the 2027 monthly dental insurance rates for active employees and retirees and adding a second dental plan option for active employees through BCBSIL.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora currently offers one dental plan option to active employees & retirees. For 2027, the City would like to offer active employees an additional dental plan option.
DISCUSSION:
The City’s dental funding rate has remained unchanged since 2016. The 2027 renewal reflects a 10% increase for the current dental plan for both active employees and retirees, with no changes to the plan’s benefits. The current plan includes a $1,750 annual maximum benefit.
The second dental plan option, BlueMax, does not replace the existing plan and includes:
- A higher annual maximum benefit of $3,000
- Adult orthodontia coverage
- BlueMax Rollover, allowing members to roll over up to $250 per year toward the annual maximum benefit; rollover amounts do not apply to the orthodontia lifetime maximum
- A three-year rollover period
- Out-of-network claims paid at 95% of usual and customary charges
Both plans will cover preventive care at 100%, basic care at 80%, and major care at 50%, subject to the applicable annual maximum benefit.
2026 and 2027 Dental contribution sheets are attached.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
NA
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Place on the Finance Committee calendar for approval to City Council.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) for the Administration of Employee and Retiree Group Dental Insurance Plans, Establishing an Additional Dental Plan Option for Active Employees, and Approving Dental Plan Rates for the Period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, The City of Aurora provides self-funded group dental insurance plans for active employees and retirees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL); and
WHEREAS, the City has determined it is in the best interests of the City and its employees and retirees to renew its agreement with BCBSIL for the administration of its group dental plan for the 2027 plan year, to add a second dental plan option for active employees as described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, and to further approve the 2027 rates for each of the City's dental plans, and
WHEREAS, the proposed 2027 City budget will provide funding for this item in the employee dental account)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Mayor and/or the City's Chief Human Resource Officer is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) for the administration of the City's Group dental plans, including the addition of a second dental plan option for active employee's described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, subject to the review and approval by the City's Corporation Counsel as to form.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Group Dental Insurance Rates for the 2027 plan year, which are detailed in Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part hereof, are hereby approved.