The Illini are ranked (#24 in the land) for the first time in recent memory, a great win Saturday, homecoming this Saturday versus Minnesota, dare *I* say 9 wins could be possible?
Other than a single Champaign newspaper story and a single Champaign television report, can’t find substantive stories about State of Illinois retirees being restricted to Aetna healthcare (no HMO(s) available).
Anyone aware of what’s going on here? Aetna is owned by CVS - is this about reduced drug prices? Sending a message to Blue Cross / Blue Shield? Something else?
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:06 am:
Illini football being relevant is good for the B1G. When Illini football is good there are lots of eyes on screens. Have to love the ad revenue.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:11 am:
=dare *I* say 9 wins could be possible?=
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think 10 is possible. The only guaranteed loss is Michigan. And I think the floor is 8 - MSU, Nebraska and NW are all trash. I’m not at all comfortable with this
===Other than a single Champaign newspaper story and a single Champaign television report, can’t find substantive stories about State of Illinois retirees being restricted to Aetna healthcare (no HMO(s) available).
Anyone aware of what’s going on here? Aetna is owned by CVS - is this about reduced drug prices? Sending a message to Blue Cross / Blue Shield? Something else? ===
I got a letter from the state saying I have PPO and that I don’t need to do anything. It will have the “same coverage” and switch over to the new company January 1. They said the cost is less and the amount I have to pay will be less. “Low Bid” insurance does not instill confidence for me in the “Quality” of the coverage.
Made the trek up to Six Flags in Gurnee this weekend and was surprised to see every one of their security staff now wearing body armor plate carriers and body cams. This is in response to the parking lot shooting under 2 months ago.
This got me to thinking if Six Flags, a company in financial crisis with a new CEO cutting costs left and right, can find money to outfit staff with body cams and armor quickly - why are IL police departments claiming they can’t do it?
Also, their security staff wear high visibility yellow shirts and hats. Makes it very easy to spot them and adds to their presence throughout the park. Maybe we should be doing this with law enforcement too?
- Cool Papa Bell - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 10:09 am:
Congrats to Dave Dahl on being recognized as the Father of the Year in Illinois from the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood.
I don’t think they make dad’s much better than Dave.
We deserved.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 10:45 am:
DuPage- thanks for bringing this up. I’m a retiree and having trouble getting answers on keeping my doctors and drug coverage. The business CMS hired to explain benefits (don’t recall the name) is unresponsive and unhelpful. Pritzker’s people have done a bad job with this.
- AcademicUnionStateEmployee - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 12:00 pm:
==Sending a message to Blue Cross / Blue Shield?==
If the Champaign media picked it up, Aetna could more likely be sending a message to Health Alliance than BCBS.
I’m sadly late to this thread, but I enjoyed the Historic Pullman House Tour over the weekend on Chicago’s south side. I met a sweet and enthusiastic Park Ranger who grew up in the area, saw some lovingly restored historic homes (as always), and had some great conversations. The people of Pullman continue to impress with the love and care of their neighborhood and its history.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 8:33 am:
The annual Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference book sale happened, resulting in too many books coming into my house.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 8:37 am:
The Illini are ranked (#24 in the land) for the first time in recent memory, a great win Saturday, homecoming this Saturday versus Minnesota, dare *I* say 9 wins could be possible?
- Amalia - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 8:44 am:
Illinois made alcohol. Some around me with lots of it.
- Cheswick - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 8:51 am:
Just noticed this morning that a name / nickname and an email May soon be required on the capitolfax blog.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:01 am:
Other than a single Champaign newspaper story and a single Champaign television report, can’t find substantive stories about State of Illinois retirees being restricted to Aetna healthcare (no HMO(s) available).
Anyone aware of what’s going on here? Aetna is owned by CVS - is this about reduced drug prices? Sending a message to Blue Cross / Blue Shield? Something else?
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:06 am:
Illini football being relevant is good for the B1G. When Illini football is good there are lots of eyes on screens. Have to love the ad revenue.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:11 am:
=dare *I* say 9 wins could be possible?=
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think 10 is possible. The only guaranteed loss is Michigan. And I think the floor is 8 - MSU, Nebraska and NW are all trash. I’m not at all comfortable with this
- OneMan - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:19 am:
Caught some of the marathon on Taylor street, it would seem 40,000 runners didn’t think Chicago is a hellhole.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:20 am:
For Illini fans, they are running a flash sale today with $24 tickets for Saturday.
- DuPage - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:32 am:
@- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:01 am:
===Other than a single Champaign newspaper story and a single Champaign television report, can’t find substantive stories about State of Illinois retirees being restricted to Aetna healthcare (no HMO(s) available).
Anyone aware of what’s going on here? Aetna is owned by CVS - is this about reduced drug prices? Sending a message to Blue Cross / Blue Shield? Something else? ===
I got a letter from the state saying I have PPO and that I don’t need to do anything. It will have the “same coverage” and switch over to the new company January 1. They said the cost is less and the amount I have to pay will be less. “Low Bid” insurance does not instill confidence for me in the “Quality” of the coverage.
- SKI - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 10:04 am:
Made the trek up to Six Flags in Gurnee this weekend and was surprised to see every one of their security staff now wearing body armor plate carriers and body cams. This is in response to the parking lot shooting under 2 months ago.
This got me to thinking if Six Flags, a company in financial crisis with a new CEO cutting costs left and right, can find money to outfit staff with body cams and armor quickly - why are IL police departments claiming they can’t do it?
Also, their security staff wear high visibility yellow shirts and hats. Makes it very easy to spot them and adds to their presence throughout the park. Maybe we should be doing this with law enforcement too?
- Cool Papa Bell - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 10:09 am:
Congrats to Dave Dahl on being recognized as the Father of the Year in Illinois from the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood.
I don’t think they make dad’s much better than Dave.
We deserved.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 10:45 am:
DuPage- thanks for bringing this up. I’m a retiree and having trouble getting answers on keeping my doctors and drug coverage. The business CMS hired to explain benefits (don’t recall the name) is unresponsive and unhelpful. Pritzker’s people have done a bad job with this.
- AcademicUnionStateEmployee - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 12:00 pm:
==Sending a message to Blue Cross / Blue Shield?==
If the Champaign media picked it up, Aetna could more likely be sending a message to Health Alliance than BCBS.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 1:12 pm:
This is some pretty fascinating work on quantum computing being done at the University of Chicago:
https://wapo.st/3EAjQNg
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 1:13 pm:
Speaking of the U of Chicago, congratulations to Douglas W. Diamond for winning the Nobel in Economics.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/2022/press-release/
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 2:13 pm:
AcademicUnionStateEmployee -
Was thinking more about Blue Cross / Blue Shield, Springfield resident retired State employees, and Springfield Clinic.
- Leslie K - Tuesday, Oct 11, 22 @ 9:37 pm:
I’m sadly late to this thread, but I enjoyed the Historic Pullman House Tour over the weekend on Chicago’s south side. I met a sweet and enthusiastic Park Ranger who grew up in the area, saw some lovingly restored historic homes (as always), and had some great conversations. The people of Pullman continue to impress with the love and care of their neighborhood and its history.