093_HB3907

                                     LRB093 13420 LRD 18733 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 15-158.4 as follows:

 6        (40 ILCS 5/15-158.4 new)
 7        Sec. 15-158.4.  Election of medicare coverage.
 8        (a)  The System shall conduct a divided medicare coverage
 9    referendum, open to employees 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)  As  used  in  this  Section  and  in compliance with
14    federal law, "referendum" means the process whereby employees
15    are granted the opportunity to make an irrevocable individual
16    election  to  participate  in  the  medicare  program  on   a
17    prospective basis.
18        (c)  Employers   shall   pay   the   necessary   employer
19    contributions  and  make the necessary deductions from salary
20    for  employees  who  elect  to  participate  in  the  federal
21    medicare program under  this  Section,  as  required  by  the
22    System, Article 21 of this Code, and federal law.

23        Section  99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect upon
24    becoming law.