Open Enrollment
med-level alert: 2027 Annual Open Enrollment - October 1 - 16, 2026
Open Enrollment is your one time of the year to verify your personal benefits information, make any changes you wish to your plan elections, enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) and add or remove dependents.
Enrollment requires using Employee Self-Service (ESS).You may also log in to ESS from a computer outside of the County's network. Required documentation must be scanned and uploaded to ESS in order to complete enrollment for dependents. For assistance with logging into ESS, please contact your agency's Help Desk.
Enrollment Resource Links
REMEMBER: Any changes you make to plan elections during the Open Enrollment period go into effect the start of the new plan years (December 1st for all benefits except FSA, which is January 1st). If you enroll in the health care or dependent care FSA, deductions will begin with the first pay check of the calendar year.
Important Documents
Here is a list of important documents with helpful information on enrollment: (Coming Soon)
- Click here to view 2027 Open Enrollment Letter
- Click here to view 2027 Open Enrollment Guide
- Click here to view 2027 Open Enrollment Changes
- Click here to view 2027 Employee Benefits Overview*
- Click here to view 2027 Open Enrollment Poster
- Click here to view 2026 Monthly Insurance Rates / 2027 Monthly Insurance Rates
- Click here to view 2026 Monthly COBRA Rates / 2027 Monthly COBRA Rates
- Click here to view Dependent Supporting Documentation
*This benefit overview is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract or guarantee of coverage. Benefits may change at any time, and employees should always refer to the official plan documents for the most up-to-date information regarding their eligibility and coverage details.
Open Enrollment: Information Sessions
Employee Benefits staff will be conducting Information Sessions both virtually and onsite this year.
Virtual Sessions
Virtual sessions will be hosted on Thursday, September 17, 2026 and September 17, 2026 and will provide you with an overview of your benefit plan options, the Open Enrollment schedule and new plan features. Click on the tabs below to view more details about the presenters for each session and to find a link to join the live session.
Presented By: Department of Risk Management - Employee Benefits
Topics Covered: 2027 Open Enrollment
Presented By: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Topics Covered: Dental and Medical Plan Highlights
Presented By: Mercer
Topics Covered: Voluntary Benefits (accidental, critical illness, hospital indemnity, short term disability, universal life insurance, legal services, Wishbone pet insurance.
Presented By: Department of Risk Management - Employee Benefits
Topics Covered: 2027 Open Enrollment and Qualifying Life Events
Onsite Events
Staff will also be onsite at 4 Cook County locations during Open Enrollment to answer your benefits enrollment questions and provide you with more information around the process and what is new in 2027.
Tuesday, Sept 15, 2026 - 10 am to 3 pm
Stroger Hospital - Lower-Level Cafeteria
1969 W. Ogden Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612
Wednesday, Sept 16, 2026 - 10 am to 3 pm
Criminal Courthouse - 2nd Floor Cafeteria
2650 S. California Ave
Chicago, IL 60608
Tuesday, Sept 22, 2026 - 10 am to 3 pm
Juvenile Temporary Detention Center - Auditorium
1100 S. Hamilton
Chicago, IL 60612
Wednesday, Sept 23, 2026 - 10 am to 3 pm
County Building, 7 Floor lobby
118 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60602
More Information on Benefits
In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:
Employees and their dependents can use confidential EAP services at no cost, copayments or deductibles. Trained mental health professionals are available 24/7 to counsel you and household members with many of life’s challenges.