100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB4939

 

Introduced , by Rep. Thomas M. Bennett

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
40 ILCS 5/4-112  from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 4-112

    Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a firefighter receiving a disability pension for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shall not be required to undergo a medical examination to verify continuance of disability after attaining the age of 45 (rather than 50). Effective immediately.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
PENSION IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4939LRB100 18576 MJP 33799 b

1    AN ACT concerning public employee benefits.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing
5Section 4-112 as follows:
 
6    (40 ILCS 5/4-112)  (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 4-112)
7    Sec. 4-112. Determination of disability; restoration to
8active service; disability cannot constitute cause for
9discharge. A disability pension shall not be paid until
10disability has been established by the board by examinations of
11the firefighter at pension fund expense by 3 physicians
12selected by the board and such other evidence as the board
13deems necessary. The 3 physicians selected by the board need
14not agree as to the existence of any disability or the nature
15and extent of a disability. Medical examination of a
16firefighter receiving a disability pension shall be made at
17least once each year prior to attainment of age 50 in order to
18verify continuance of disability, except that a medical
19examination of a firefighter receiving a disability pension for
20post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shall not be made after
21attainment of age 45. No examination shall be required after
22age 50, except that no examination shall be required after age
2345 for a firefighter receiving a disability pension for

 

 

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1post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). No physical or mental
2disability that constitutes, in whole or in part, the basis of
3an application for benefits under this Article may be used, in
4whole or in part, by any municipality or fire protection
5district employing firefighters, emergency medical
6technicians, or paramedics as cause for discharge.
7    Upon satisfactory proof to the board that a firefighter on
8the disability pension has recovered from disability, the board
9shall terminate the disability pension. The firefighter shall
10report to the marshal or chief of the fire department, who
11shall thereupon order immediate reinstatement into active
12service, and the municipality shall immediately return the
13firefighter to its payroll, in the same rank or grade held at
14the date he or she was placed on disability pension. If the
15firefighter must file a civil action against the municipality
16to enforce his or her mandated return to payroll under this
17paragraph, then the firefighter is entitled to recovery of
18reasonable court costs and attorney's fees.
19    The firefighter shall be entitled to 10 days notice before
20any hearing or meeting of the board at which the question of
21his or her disability is to be considered, and shall have the
22right to be present at any such hearing or meeting, and to be
23represented by counsel; however, the board shall not have any
24obligation to provide such fireman with counsel.
25(Source: P.A. 95-681, eff. 10-11-07.)
 
26    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon

 

 

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1becoming law.