Berwyn aldermen are expected to vote next week whether to pay part of the cost of their city-provided health insurance.

The move is meant as leverage City Council members can use as they plan to negotiate new union contracts during the coming months and years. Mayor Michael O’Connor said he hopes to use this to increase union members’ contributions to insurance, as well.

Elected officials in Berwyn currently do not pay any portion of their health insurance costs. It is wholly funded by the city.

Aldermen are expected to vote on the health insurance contributions during their 8 p.m. council meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14, at City Hall, 6700 W. 26th St.

But aldermen, despite some protest, will not vote on whether to increase their own pay during a time when city staff have been laid off, and council members are looking for more way to save money.

“I would be opposed to it without any increase in salary,” Alderman Santiago “Jim” Ramos, 2nd Ward, said. “We don’t make enough now. I didn’t take this job to get rich, but what is fair is fair.”

Aldermen receive $10,000 a year for serving their terms, while the mayor is paid $50,000 and receives an additional $10,000 for serving as the city’s liquor commissioner.

City Clerk Tom Pavlik receives about $80,000 for serving as city and township clerk, and as secretary of the township’s health district board. The treasurer makes $10,000 a year.
Aldermen have not received a salary increase for about 15 years.