October 25, 2023
In partnership with Springbuk, we are excited to announce our honorees for the 2023 Healthiest Employers of Illinois. All applicants were considered for our Healthiest 100 Workplaces America award which was announced on October 4.
84.6% of these companies surveyed are on a hybrid schedule where employees are in the office on specific days. 15.4% work onsite or in-person and 0 companies are fully remote.
Additionally, some notable statistics from this year’s groups include:
- 96.2% of companies provide a training database or intranet resources for career planning resources
- 76.9% have leadership serving on the wellness committee/team
- 50.0% report adoption assistance or reimbursement opportunities for adoption agency fees, court costs, travel, etc.
- 26.9% conducted a culture assessment in which over 90% of employees responded that they are “happy” or “satisfied” with their current roles
Congratulations to this year’s finalists!
*Please note that employee counts are based on full-time employees.
25 to 499 Employees
1st Connor & Gallagher OneSource – Lisle – 108 Employees
Connor & Gallagher OneSource (CGO) has been an independent insurance broker in Lisle, Illinois since 1997. They serve small and mid-sized organizations in the areas of business insurance, employee benefits, HR, payroll, and 401k plan services.
Connor & Gallagher OneSource takes a holistic approach to their wellness programming. They provide physical health activities including on-site biometric screenings, health assessments, and fitness challenges, and have fruit delivered each week to the office. This year, they introduced an office garden, where many employees maintain and grow fresh herbs and vegetables.
For mental health, they provide robust support from seminars on stress management to one-to-one virtual therapy for more critical issues. Their social calendar is always full, bringing the community together for picnics, volunteer programs at a local pantry, and monthly company meetings. In addition, they offer financial wellness for team members including investment planning resources, 401k matching, and HSA employer contributions. They care about the overall health and well-being of our entire organization. They consider the team to be a family and support each other while offering incentives for completing wellness-related lifestyle activities.
2nd V3 Companies – Woodridge – 400 Employees
V3 Companies is an employee-owned firm that offers civil engineering, landscape architecture, contracting, environmental, planning, and surveying services.
V3 encourages and supports employees through the Health and Wellness Program and a Social and Sustainable Responsibility Program where they can get involved in health and volunteer-related activities. The company's health and wellness program, REVITALIZE, focuses on the most engaging topics from health assessments, including mental health, stress management, financial awareness, and nutrition inspiration. They provide in-depth educational sessions on financial wellness, debt reduction, budgeting, and investing. The Adventure Club offers diverse activities for employees and their families, including trying new foods and seasonal activities. REVITALIZE collaborates with other committees to ensure balanced choices in social and volunteer events. The program's success is reflected in its high and continued participation over ten years, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among employees.
3rd Associated Agencies, Inc. – Rolling Meadows – 152 Employees
Associated is one of the top privately-held insurance and risk management firms in the country, assisting businesses and individuals with insurance needs including property, casualty, and employee benefits.
The company's wellness program, Vitality, serves as a foundation for promoting health and fitness among the staff. The program, supported by the Wellness committee, has achieved a high level of engagement, with 90% of staff regularly participating, exceeding industry norms. The leadership team demonstrates a commitment to staff well-being, both financially and emotionally.
The company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with 10 free therapist visits and the MyStrength program for additional resources. They also provide a HomeThrive benefit to support employees who are caregivers for their elderly parents. The hybrid work concept allows for flexibility in managing personal appointments and obligations, reducing stress and providing peace of mind for employees.
4th Trilogy Real Estate Group – Chicago – 210 Employees
5th Blackstone Environmental, Inc. – Overland Park, Kansas (Local Office: Moline) – 28 Employees
500 to 1,999 Employees
1st Riverside Healthcare – Kankakee – 1,973 Employees
Riverside Healthcare is a robust healthcare system serving the needs of patients throughout the counties of Kankakee, Iroquois, Will, Grundy, and beyond. Riverside Medical Center, a 300-bed hospital, provides a full scope of inpatient and outpatient care and is a nationally recognized, award-winning Level II Trauma hospital with nationally leading programs in heart care, cancer care, neurosurgery, and orthopedics. Riverside Healthcare leads the area in next-generation emergency care with its newly remodeled ER focusing on efficiency of patient flow, upgrading technology, and increasing safety measures with advanced monitoring and surveillance along with an emphasis on patient privacy. Its reputation for nursing excellence has made Riverside the area's only Magnet® Recognized hospital. In 2023, Riverside earned a Military Employer Designation along with a Mental Health America Platinum Bell Seal for its excellence in workplace mental health through the Employee Assistance Program.
Riverside has been actively working to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in the past year. They have introduced a full-time Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator position to collaborate with senior leadership and a DEI Governance committee, responsible for developing and sustaining the DEI strategy and annual goals. Their approach to Diversity includes embracing and respecting all differences in the communities they serve, encompassing aspects such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, geographic distribution, physical ability, and language.
In 2022, Riverside has particularly focused on enhancing support for their military and veteran workforce, offering various benefits and programs such as compensation for deployments, behavioral health and wellness services, job placement for veterans through a partnership with the local VA office, and designated spots in their annual emerging leaders' program. These efforts have earned Riverside the 2023 Military Friendly® Employer and Spouse Employer designations, ranking among the top companies in this category.
2nd Midwestern University – Glendale, Arizona (Local Office: Downers Grove) – 1,724 Employees
Midwestern University has been providing healthcare education for over 100 years and offers programs that give students a solid foundation in science with a hands-on approach.
The company's well-being initiatives are designed with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) in mind. A unique and highly appreciated benefit is their full-person screening program, which includes a biometrics screening covering physical well-being. Employees can complete this program through three methods: onsite, with a physician's form, or using a lab voucher. In addition to the physical assessment, they are encouraged to take a mental health assessment through a wellness partner, Spring Health. Employees who complete both assessments receive an additional fully paid Personal Day and 500 Virgin Pulse points.
This program offers several benefits to employees, including a comprehensive assessment of their physical and mental health at the beginning of the year, helping them set wellness goals. They also gain an extra paid day off and have opportunities to engage with the company's wellness partners. Additionally, the company can use aggregate data from the program to provide targeted tools and support to employees based on their needs.
3rd AssetMark – Concord, California (Local Office: Chicago) – 986 Employees
AssetMark is a leading independent provider of innovative investment and consulting solutions serving financial advisors. We provide investment, relationship, and practice management solutions that advisors use to help clients achieve their investment objectives and life goals.
Since 2015, AssetMark has been offering Go365 to its employees and their families at no cost, even without medical plan enrollment. They emphasize the importance of collective wellness and utilize the program's rewards-eligible activities, which include health coaching. Step challenges and charity events are popular, with winning teams earning donations for their selected charities. In the previous year, 45% of employees engaged with Go365, and the company plans to introduce it to new associates and their families.
They also partner with vendors, HR, and Charitable Giving teams to foster year-round mental health support. They offer monthly virtual meditation sessions, expanding to include DEI conversations. Their Employee Assistance Program provides up to 5 free counseling sessions, including virtual and in-person options via providers like Talkspace. Medical plans offer more mental health support choices, working with Talkspace, Ginger, and MDLive. They conduct an annual Mental Health Awareness campaign with webinars on relevant topics, donate $5,000 to NAMI, and organize employee walks across offices to promote a stigma-free approach to mental health.
4th Busey – Champaign – 1,361 Employees
5th Walker & Dunlop – Bethesda, Maryland (Local Office: Chicago) – 1,395 Employees
6th Sikich LLP – Naperville – 1,565 Employees
7th West Monroe – Chicago – 1,998 Employees
8th Midmark Corporation – Versailles, Ohio (Local Office: Buffalo Grove) – 1,886 Employees
9th Transwestern – Houston, Texas (Local Office: Chicago) – 1,769 Employees
2,000 to 4,999 Employees
1st CNO Financial Group – Carmel, Indiana (Local Office: Chicago) – 3,400 Employees
CNO Financial Group, Inc. secures the future of middle-income America by providing health insurance, life insurance, and retirement solutions through their family of brands: Bankers Life, Colonial Penn, Washington National, Optavise, PMA USA, 40/86, and myHealthPolicy.com.
CNO also commits to the well-being of their associates by recognizing that personal health improves engagement, productivity, and customer service. CNO emphasizes the strong link between employee well-being and the overall employee experience. They value a culture that encourages diversity, support, celebration, connection, and the recognition of diverse voices through their Business Resource Groups (BRGs). These BRGs are intentionally designed to promote well-being by hosting over 150 events focusing on physical, mental, and financial well-being. The events cover a wide range of topics, including financial literacy, mental health, gender identity, and more.
CNO also launched monthly support groups to facilitate honest conversations around societal issues and unique challenges faced by BRG communities, addressing mental well-being. Their Mental Health Told by the Voices of CNO associates event was a huge success, engaging nearly 700 associates and making a significant impact on addressing mental health stigma. Thanks to this approach, CNO witnessed positive results in their culture and programs, with high percentages of employees feeling safe, finding purpose in their work, and viewing their programs as important.
2nd Syngenta – Greensboro, North Carolina (Local Office: Downers Grove) – 4,435 Employees
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Syngenta emphasizes its Reaping Rewards Wellness Program, which allows employees to accumulate points for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This program takes a holistic approach, addressing mind, body, and spirit to promote overall well-being. It aims to engage employees at various stages of their health and fitness journey, ensuring positive benefits for everyone. The program offers the opportunity to earn up to $300 annually for participating in healthy behaviors, making it a significant incentive.
Syngenta has adopted a comprehensive approach to tackle mental health issues within the company. They introduced Mental Health Safety Leadership Training, equipping leaders with tools to support colleagues' well-being. Over 400 leaders in the North American region have undergone this practical training. Another version of this training has also been made available to all Syngenta employees. Additionally, the company has organized employee webinars where internal leaders share their mental health experiences, alongside mental health professionals offering coping strategies. These initiatives aim to promote proactive mental health care, encourage support for others, and normalize discussions about mental health. Further discussions and mental health safety training are planned throughout the year.
They provide five covered sessions through their Employee Assistance Program and cover 100% of mental health costs outside of medication through health insurance. The company has also introduced flexible work schedules and a new vacation policy, granting all employees 30 vacation days per year, with a mandatory 15 days to be used. These measures are designed to enhance work-life balance and support employees in leading fulfilling and productive lives. Syngenta is committed to addressing mental health through a multifaceted approach.
3rd Bi-State Development – St. Louis, Missouri (Local Office: Belleville) – 2,500 Employees
Bi-State Development (BSD) is a dynamic and multi-faceted resource for economic development in the St. Louis region. Since 1950, they have partnered with private and public organizations on hundreds of projects that have created thousands of jobs on both sides of the Mississippi River. They operate Metro Transit, Gateway Arch, the St. Louis Downtown Airport, and the St. Louis Regional Freightway.
The company has a significant partnership with CardiOptics, offering preventive screenings to employees, spouses, retirees, and their spouses. These screenings have proven to be highly effective in saving lives over the past five years.
In recent years, the wellness department has been focusing on mental health. They provide individual attention and assistance to those utilizing the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or seeking a therapist or counselor. The company facilitates interactions with EAP, helps with authorization, and assists in finding approved providers. Additionally, they have launched on-site therapy sessions, making it convenient for employees to access licensed clinical therapists. The company is also working on establishing a permanent on-site therapist position.
4th Gilbane – Providence, Rhode Island (Local Office: Chicago) – 3,005 Employees
5th Avnet, Inc. – Phoenix, Arizona (Local Office: Hoffman Estates) – 3,000 Employees
6th Zebra Technologies Corporation – Lincolnshire – 4,707 Employees
7th Marcum LLP – New York City (Local Offices: Chicago, Deerfield) – 3,503 Employees
5,000+ Employees
1st U-Haul International – Phoenix, Arizona (Multiple Local Offices) – 17,170 Employees
Since 1945, U-Haul has been the number one choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul is the third largest self-storage operator in North America and offers 876,000 rentable storage units and 75.1 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading “Best for Vets” employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America.
In 2022, U-Haul introduced Virta to its benefits package, initially focusing on the Type 2 diabetes program. The outstanding outcomes prompted them to expand offerings to encompass all three Virta programs: Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, and obesity reversal. Virta's research-based approach effectively and sustainably reverses these conditions without medication or surgery-related risks, costs, or side effects. The program leads to lowered A1c levels, weight loss, and reduced or eliminated insulin use. Since implementing Virta, participants enrolled in the treatment plan have experienced an average reduction in insulin usage by 54% and collectively shed over 3,200 pounds.
To further support mental well-being, U-Haul introduced a Mindset App Reimbursement program in 2022, covering mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation techniques. Executive leadership actively promotes these benefits and encourages team members to utilize them and seek the help they need. The onsite medical clinic integrates mental health benefits into its services, with providers trained to assist team members in accessing the appropriate resources.
2nd Comcast NBCUniversal – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Local Office: Chicago) – 89,000 Employees
Comcast is a global media and technology company. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a premium ad-supported streaming service.
Comcast demonstrates a strong commitment to its employees' holistic well-being, covering physical, emotional, and financial aspects. Over the past year, the company has rolled out various new and improved benefits to support its workforce comprehensively. In addition to addressing physical health, Comcast has significantly enhanced its support for the emotional well-being of its employees and their families. These efforts include new coaching capabilities, improved affordability for out-of-network mental health care, a 24/7 chat feature with ComPsych (Employee Assistance Program), and expanded eligibility for the Calm app. These initiatives underscore Comcast's commitment to addressing mental health needs, ultimately aiming to boost productivity, reduce absenteeism, and equip employees with the necessary resources for a smooth transition back into the workforce.
Comcast's dedication to employee financial well-being is evident through their generous matching of employee 401k contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to 6% of eligible compensation. The company's Educational Assistance Program provides substantial financial support for coursework, academic advice, and discounted tuition and fees at numerous institutions, with a recent expansion to include more Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Comcast has expanded its Parental Benefit program, offering employees up to 16 weeks of paid leave. These various benefit programs play a pivotal role in Comcast's employee value proposition, consistently scoring high satisfaction rates, with "Great benefits" emerging as a recurring theme in employee surveys as a top reason for recommending Comcast as a great place to work.
3rd Burns & McDonnell – Kansas City, Missouri (Local Office: Downers Grove) – 8,408 Employees
Burns & McDonnell consists of a skilled team of over 10,000 professionals, including engineers, construction experts, architects, and more. Since 1898, their singular mission has been to ensure the success of their clients by planning, designing, permitting, and managing critical infrastructure projects worldwide.
At Burns & McDonnell, the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) sets them apart as one of the few firms nationwide that are 100% employee-owned, and they have maintained this status for over 30 years. Employee ownership is automatic and provided at no cost to all employee owners. This unique ownership structure goes beyond being a retirement benefit and plays a significant role in driving their success, guiding decisions, and fostering a powerful and distinct company culture.
Recognizing that their employees are not just workers but also owners, Burns & McDonnell offers various onsite benefits to ensure easy access to quality care. These include an onsite health center, pharmacy, and fitness facility. This approach demonstrates their commitment to supporting the well-being of their workforce in a holistic manner.
4th CBIZ – Cleveland, Ohio (Local Office: Chicago) – 6,471 Employees
5th Prime Therapeutics – Eagan, Minnesota (Local Office: Chicago) – 6,486 Employees
