Springfield City Workers in Civil Unions To Share Health Benefits With Partners SPRINGFIELD, IL (wsiu) - In a reverse of course, Springfield city workers in civil unions WILL be able to share their health insurance benefits with their partners after all.

Last month a committee that oversees labor and health care voted to deny insurance benefits to civil union partners. Members initially said it would cost the cash-strapped city too much money.

The gay rights group Equality Illinois condemned the decision and says it was illegal. Spokesman Randy Hannig says all benefits available to married couples must be given to those in civil unions.

"It's a good start and it's good that Springfield is able to go down the right road when it comes to equality for everyone."

Hannig says he knows of no other cities in Illinois that have refused to give health insurance benefits to municipal workers' civil partners.

Springfield benefits will start on March 1st.

A revised estimate projects extending the benefits could cost the city an extra approximately 67 thousand dollars ... significantly less than the original estimate of 725 thousand.
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