093_HB0079 LRB093 03474 EFG 03502 b 1 AN ACT in relation to public employee benefits. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by 5 adding Section 16-153.5 as follows: 6 (40 ILCS 5/16-153.5 new) 7 Sec. 16-153.5. Election of medicare coverage. 8 (a) The System shall conduct a divided medicare coverage 9 referendum, open to teachers continuously employed by the 10 same employer since March 31, 1986. The referendum shall be 11 conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of 12 federal law and Article 21 of this Code. 13 (b) A teacher's election to participate in the federal 14 medicare program is irrevocable. 15 (c) Employers shall pay the necessary employer 16 contributions and make the necessary deductions from salary 17 for teachers who elect to participate in the federal medicare 18 program under this Section, as required by the System, 19 Article 21 of this Code, and federal law. 20 Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding 21 Section 8.27 as follows: 22 (30 ILCS 805/8.27 new) 23 Sec. 8.27. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 24 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required 25 for the implementation of any mandate created by this 26 amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. 27 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 28 becoming law.