Benefits Eligibility
Benefits Eligibility
Eligible employees include:
- Full-time employees
- Part-time employees
- Employees on Leave of Absence status
- COBRA participants
Eligibility status impacts required contributions.
Dependent benefits are extended to spouse, domestic partners and civil union partners. If both the employee and spouse or partner are Cook County employees, all family members must be covered under one enrollment.
Children up to age 26 are eligible for health benefits coverage as dependents. Military veterans may be covered up to the age of 30.
- Documentation of eligibility required:
- Spouse/partner – marriage certificate, civil union or domestic partner certificate
- Child – birth certificate, adoption certificate or legal guardianship form. Children who are military veterans - DD214 form, documentation of discharge other than dishonorable, and verification of Illinois residency
All required documents must be scanned and uploaded to Employee Self Service to complete enrollment
Pursuant to collective bargaining agreements, union employees may select only a Medical HMO plan and Dental HMO plan during their first year of employment. Plan changes may only be made during the next annual open enrollment period.
View the 2025 Employee Benefts Overview for a comprehensive summary of benefits offered to County employees.