As a longtime state employee, I take exception to your editorial position against paying state workers for 50 per cent of their unused sick days upon retirement (“Illinois’ `sick pay’ system,” March 10). I am sure that a majority of state employees would gladly forgo what you refer to as an “ersatz benefit” if it were replaced with a decent pension plan.
But at present the pension provided for State of Illinois employees is the 49th worst in the nation. Why has the Tribune remained silent every year when the General Assembly votes down much-needed pension reforms? Furthermore, I find your apples and oranges comparison with practices of the private sector to be specious. If state employees had company-funded 401(k) plans and profit-sharing and stock options and severance pay, there would be no need for a sick pay benefit. As it is, such a benefit is an absolutely necessary supplement to an embarrassingly meager pension.
