State of Illinois
91st General Assembly
Legislation

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91_SB0211

 
                                               LRB9102763EGfg

 1        AN ACT in relation to public employee benefits,  amending
 2    named Acts.

 3        Be  it  enacted  by  the People of the State of Illinois,
 4    represented in the General Assembly:

 5        Section 5.  The State Employees Group  Insurance  Act  of
 6    1971 is amended by changing Sections 3 and 10 as follows:

 7        (5 ILCS 375/3) (from Ch. 127, par. 523)
 8        Sec.   3.  Definitions.   Unless  the  context  otherwise
 9    requires, the following words and phrases as used in this Act
10    shall have the following meanings.  The Department may define
11    these and other words and phrases separately for the  purpose
12    of  implementing  specific  programs providing benefits under
13    this Act.
14        (a)  "Administrative  service  organization"  means   any
15    person,  firm  or  corporation experienced in the handling of
16    claims  which  is  fully  qualified,  financially  sound  and
17    capable of meeting the service requirements of a contract  of
18    administration executed with the Department.
19        (b)  "Annuitant"  means  (1)  an employee who retires, or
20    has retired, on or after January  1,  1966  on  an  immediate
21    annuity under the provisions of Articles 2, 14, 15 (including
22    an  employee  who  has  retired under the optional retirement
23    program established under Section 15-158.2), paragraphs  (2),
24    (3),  or (5) of Section 16-106, or Article 18 of the Illinois
25    Pension  Code;  (2)  any  person  who  was  receiving   group
26    insurance  coverage  under  this  Act as of March 31, 1978 by
27    reason of his status as an annuitant, even though the annuity
28    in  relation  to  which  such  coverage  was  provided  is  a
29    proportional annuity based on less than the minimum period of
30    service required for  a  retirement  annuity  in  the  system
31    involved;  (3)  any  person not otherwise covered by this Act
 
                            -2-                LRB9102763EGfg
 1    who has retired as a participating member under Article 2  of
 2    the   Illinois   Pension  Code  but  is  ineligible  for  the
 3    retirement  annuity  under  Section  2-119  of  the  Illinois
 4    Pension Code; (4) the spouse of any person who is receiving a
 5    retirement annuity under Article 18 of the  Illinois  Pension
 6    Code  and  who  is  covered  under  a  group health insurance
 7    program sponsored by a governmental employer other  than  the
 8    State  of  Illinois  and who has irrevocably elected to waive
 9    his or her coverage under this Act and to  have  his  or  her
10    spouse  considered  as the "annuitant" under this Act and not
11    as a "dependent"; or (5) an  employee  who  retires,  or  has
12    retired,  from  a qualified position, as determined according
13    to rules promulgated by the Director, under a qualified local
14    government  or  a  qualified  rehabilitation  facility  or  a
15    qualified  domestic  violence  shelter   or   service.   (For
16    definition of "retired employee", see (p) post).
17        (b-5)  "New  SERS  annuitant"  means  a person who, on or
18    after January 1, 1998, becomes an annuitant,  as  defined  in
19    subsection   (b),   by  virtue  of  beginning  to  receive  a
20    retirement annuity under Article 14 of the  Illinois  Pension
21    Code,  and is eligible to participate in the basic program of
22    group health benefits provided for annuitants under this Act.
23        (b-6)  "New SURS annuitant" means a person who (1), on or
24    after January 1, 1998, becomes an annuitant,  as  defined  in
25    subsection   (b),   by  virtue  of  beginning  to  receive  a
26    retirement annuity under Article 15 of the  Illinois  Pension
27    Code, (2) has not made the election authorized  under Section
28    15-135.1 of the Illinois Pension Code, and (3) is eligible to
29    participate  in  the  basic  program of group health benefits
30    provided for annuitants under this Act.
31        (b-7)  "New TRS State annuitant" means a person  who,  on
32    or  after  July  1, 1998, becomes an annuitant, as defined in
33    subsection  (b),  by  virtue  of  beginning  to   receive   a
34    retirement  annuity  under Article 16 of the Illinois Pension
 
                            -3-                LRB9102763EGfg
 1    Code based on service as a teacher as  defined  in  paragraph
 2    (2),  (3),  or  (5)  of  Section  16-106 of that Code, and is
 3    eligible to participate in the basic program of group  health
 4    benefits provided for annuitants under this Act.
 5        (c)  "Carrier"   means   (1)   an  insurance  company,  a
 6    corporation  organized  under  the  Limited  Health   Service
 7    Organization Act or the Voluntary Health Services Plan Act, a
 8    partnership,  or other nongovernmental organization, which is
 9    authorized  to  do  group  life  or  group  health  insurance
10    business in Illinois, or (2)  the  State  of  Illinois  as  a
11    self-insurer.
12        (d)  "Compensation"  means  salary  or wages payable on a
13    regular payroll by the State Treasurer on a  warrant  of  the
14    State Comptroller out of any State, trust or federal fund, or
15    by  the Governor of the State through a disbursing officer of
16    the State out of a trust or out of federal funds, or  by  any
17    Department  out  of State, trust, federal or other funds held
18    by the State Treasurer or the Department, to any  person  for
19    personal   services  currently  performed,  and  ordinary  or
20    accidental disability  benefits  under  Articles  2,  14,  15
21    (including  ordinary  or accidental disability benefits under
22    the optional retirement  program  established  under  Section
23    15-158.2),  paragraphs (2), (3), or (5) of Section 16-106, or
24    Article 18 of  the  Illinois  Pension  Code,  for  disability
25    incurred after January 1, 1966, or benefits payable under the
26    Workers'   Compensation   or  Occupational  Diseases  Act  or
27    benefits  payable  under  a  sick  pay  plan  established  in
28    accordance  with  Section  36  of  the  State  Finance   Act.
29    "Compensation" also means salary or wages paid to an employee
30    of any qualified local government or qualified rehabilitation
31    facility or a qualified domestic violence shelter or service.
32        (e)  "Commission"   means   the   State  Employees  Group
33    Insurance  Advisory  Commission  authorized  by   this   Act.
34    Commencing  July  1,  1984,  "Commission" as used in this Act
 
                            -4-                LRB9102763EGfg
 1    means  the  Illinois  Economic  and  Fiscal   Commission   as
 2    established  by the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act
 3    of 1984.
 4        (f)  "Contributory", when  referred  to  as  contributory
 5    coverage,  shall  mean optional coverages or benefits elected
 6    by the member toward the cost  of  which  such  member  makes
 7    contribution, or which are funded in whole or in part through
 8    the acceptance of a reduction in earnings or the foregoing of
 9    an increase in earnings by an employee, as distinguished from
10    noncontributory  coverage or benefits which are paid entirely
11    by the State of Illinois without reduction  of  the  member's
12    salary.
13        (g)  "Department"   means  any  department,  institution,
14    board, commission, officer, court or any agency of the  State
15    government  receiving  appropriations  and  having  power  to
16    certify  payrolls  to the Comptroller authorizing payments of
17    salary and wages against such appropriations as are  made  by
18    the  General  Assembly  from any State fund, or against trust
19    funds held by the State  Treasurer  and  includes  boards  of
20    trustees of the retirement systems created by Articles 2, 14,
21    15,  16  and  18  of the Illinois Pension Code.  "Department"
22    also includes the  Illinois  Comprehensive  Health  Insurance
23    Board,  the Board of Examiners established under the Illinois
24    Public Accounting Act, and the Illinois Rural Bond Bank.
25        (h)  "Dependent", when the term is used in the context of
26    the health and life plan, means a  member's  spouse  and  any
27    unmarried child (1) from birth to age 19 including an adopted
28    child, a child who lives with the member from the time of the
29    filing  of a petition for adoption until entry of an order of
30    adoption, a stepchild or recognized child who lives with  the
31    member  in  a parent-child relationship, or a child who lives
32    with the member if such member is a court appointed  guardian
33    of  the  child,  or  (2) age 19 to 23 enrolled as a full-time
34    student in any accredited school, financially dependent  upon
 
                            -5-                LRB9102763EGfg
 1    the  member,  and  eligible as a dependent for Illinois State
 2    income tax purposes, or (3) age 19 or over who is mentally or
 3    physically handicapped as defined in the  Illinois  Insurance
 4    Code.  For  the  health  plan only, the term "dependent" also
 5    includes any person enrolled prior to the effective  date  of
 6    this  Section  who is dependent upon the member to the extent
 7    that the member may claim such  person  as  a  dependent  for
 8    Illinois  State  income tax deduction purposes; no other such
 9    person may be enrolled.
10        (i)  "Director"  means  the  Director  of  the   Illinois
11    Department of Central Management Services.
12        (j)  "Eligibility  period"  means  the  period  of time a
13    member has to elect  enrollment  in  programs  or  to  select
14    benefits without regard to age, sex or health.
15        (k)  "Employee"   means  and  includes  each  officer  or
16    employee in the service of a department who (1) receives  his
17    compensation  for  service  rendered  to  the department on a
18    warrant  issued  pursuant  to  a  payroll  certified   by   a
19    department  or  on  a  warrant or check issued and drawn by a
20    department upon a trust,  federal  or  other  fund  or  on  a
21    warrant  issued pursuant to a payroll certified by an elected
22    or duly appointed  officer  of  the  State  or  who  receives
23    payment  of the performance of personal services on a warrant
24    issued pursuant to a payroll certified by  a  Department  and
25    drawn  by  the  Comptroller  upon the State Treasurer against
26    appropriations made by the General Assembly from any fund  or
27    against  trust  funds held by the State Treasurer, and (2) is
28    employed  full-time  or  part-time  in  a  position  normally
29    requiring actual performance of duty during not less than 1/2
30    of a normal work period, as established by  the  Director  in
31    cooperation with each department, except that persons elected
32    by  popular  vote  will  be  considered  employees during the
33    entire term for which they are elected  regardless  of  hours
34    devoted  to  the  service  of  the State, and (3) except that
 
                            -6-                LRB9102763EGfg
 1    "employee" does not include any person who is not eligible by
 2    reason of such person's employment to participate in  one  of
 3    the State retirement systems under Articles 2, 14, 15 (either
 4    the  regular  Article  15  system  or the optional retirement
 5    program established under Section 15-158.2) or 18,  or  under
 6    paragraph (2), (3), or (5) of Section 16-106, of the Illinois
 7    Pension  Code,  but  such  term  does include persons who are
 8    employed during the 6 month qualifying period  under  Article
 9    14 of the Illinois Pension Code.  Such term also includes any
10    person  who  (1) after January 1, 1966, is receiving ordinary
11    or accidental disability benefits under Articles  2,  14,  15
12    (including  ordinary  or accidental disability benefits under
13    the optional retirement  program  established  under  Section
14    15-158.2),  paragraphs (2), (3), or (5) of Section 16-106, or
15    Article 18 of  the  Illinois  Pension  Code,  for  disability
16    incurred  after January 1, 1966, (2) receives total permanent
17    or total temporary disability under the Workers' Compensation
18    Act or Occupational Disease  Act  as  a  result  of  injuries
19    sustained  or  illness contracted in the course of employment
20    with the State of Illinois, or (3) is not  otherwise  covered
21    under  this  Act  and  has  retired as a participating member
22    under  Article  2  of  the  Illinois  Pension  Code  but   is
23    ineligible  for the retirement annuity under Section 2-119 of
24    the Illinois Pension Code.  However, a person  who  satisfies
25    the criteria of the foregoing definition of "employee" except
26    that  such  person  is  made ineligible to participate in the
27    State  Universities  Retirement  System  by  clause  (4)   of
28    subsection (a) of Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code
29    is   also  an  "employee"  for  the  purposes  of  this  Act.
30    "Employee" also includes any person receiving or eligible for
31    benefits under a sick pay plan established in accordance with
32    Section 36 of the State Finance Act. "Employee" also includes
33    each officer or employee in the service of a qualified  local
34    government,   including  persons  appointed  as  trustees  of
 
                            -7-                LRB9102763EGfg
 1    sanitary districts regardless of hours devoted to the service
 2    of the sanitary district, and each employee in the service of
 3    a  qualified  rehabilitation  facility  and  each   full-time
 4    employee  in  the  service  of  a qualified domestic violence
 5    shelter  or  service,  as  determined  according   to   rules
 6    promulgated by the Director.
 7        (l)  "Member"   means  an  employee,  annuitant,  retired
 8    employee or survivor.
 9        (m)  "Optional  coverages  or   benefits"   means   those
10    coverages  or  benefits available to the member on his or her
11    voluntary election, and at his or her own expense.
12        (n)  "Program" means the  group  life  insurance,  health
13    benefits  and other employee benefits designed and contracted
14    for by the Director under this Act.
15        (o)  "Health plan" means a self-insured health  insurance
16    program  offered by the State of Illinois for the purposes of
17    benefiting employees by means  of  providing,  among  others,
18    wellness  programs,  utilization reviews, second opinions and
19    medical fee reviews, as well as for paying for  hospital  and
20    medical care up to the maximum coverage provided by the plan,
21    to its members and their dependents.
22        (p)  "Retired  employee" means any person who would be an
23    annuitant as that term is defined herein  but  for  the  fact
24    that such person retired prior to January 1, 1966.  Such term
25    also  includes any person formerly employed by the University
26    of Illinois in the Cooperative Extension Service who would be
27    an annuitant but for the  fact  that  such  person  was  made
28    ineligible   to   participate   in   the  State  Universities
29    Retirement System by clause (4) of subsection (a) of  Section
30    15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code.
31        (p-6)  "New SURS retired employee" means a person who, on
32    or  after  January  1,  1998,  becomes a retired employee, as
33    defined in subsection  (p),  by  virtue  of  being  a  person
34    formerly  employed  by  the  University  of  Illinois  in the
 
                            -8-                LRB9102763EGfg
 1    Cooperative Extension Service who would be an  annuitant  but
 2    for   the  fact  that  he  or  she  was  made  ineligible  to
 3    participate in the State Universities  Retirement  System  by
 4    clause  (4)  of  subsection  (a)  of  Section  15-107  of the
 5    Illinois Pension Code, and who is eligible to participate  in
 6    the  basic  program  of  group  health  benefits provided for
 7    retired employees under this Act.
 8        (q)  "Survivor" means a person receiving an annuity as  a
 9    survivor  of an employee or of an annuitant.  "Survivor" also
10    includes:  (1)  the  surviving  dependent  of  a  person  who
11    satisfies the  definition  of  "employee"  except  that  such
12    person  is  made  ineligible  to  participate  in  the  State
13    Universities  Retirement  System  by clause (4) of subsection
14    (a) of Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code;  and  (2)
15    the  surviving  dependent  of any person formerly employed by
16    the University  of  Illinois  in  the  Cooperative  Extension
17    Service  who  would  be an annuitant except for the fact that
18    such person was made ineligible to participate in  the  State
19    Universities  Retirement  System  by clause (4) of subsection
20    (a) of Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code.
21        (q-5)  "New SERS survivor" means a survivor,  as  defined
22    in  subsection (q), whose annuity is paid under Article 14 of
23    the Illinois Pension Code and is based on the death of (i) an
24    employee whose death occurs on or after January 1,  1998,  or
25    (ii) a new SERS annuitant as defined in subsection (b-5).
26        (q-6)  "New  SURS  survivor" means a survivor, as defined
27    in subsection (q), whose annuity is paid under Article 15  of
28    the Illinois Pension Code and is based on the death of (i) an
29    employee  whose  death occurs on or after January 1, 1998, or
30    (ii) a new SURS annuitant as defined in subsection (b-6),  or
31    (iii)  a  new  SURS retired employee as defined in subsection
32    (p-6).
33        (q-7)  "New TRS State  survivor"  means  a  survivor,  as
34    defined  in  subsection  (q),  whose  annuity  is  paid under
 
                            -9-                LRB9102763EGfg
 1    Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code and is based  on  the
 2    death  of  (i)  an  employee  who  is a teacher as defined in
 3    paragraph (2), (3), or (5) of Section 16-106 of that Code and
 4    whose death occurs on or after July 1, 1998, or  (ii)  a  new
 5    TRS State annuitant as defined in subsection (b-7).
 6        (r)  "Medical   services"  means  the  services  provided
 7    within the scope of their licenses by  practitioners  in  all
 8    categories licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987.
 9        (s)  "Unit   of   local  government"  means  any  county,
10    municipality, township, school district, special district  or
11    other  unit, designated as a unit of local government by law,
12    which exercises limited  governmental  powers  or  powers  in
13    respect  to limited governmental subjects, any not-for-profit
14    association  with  a  membership  that   primarily   includes
15    townships  and  township  officials,  that  has  duties  that
16    include  provision  of  research  service,  dissemination  of
17    information,  and  other  acts  for  the purpose of improving
18    township government, and that is funded wholly or  partly  in
19    accordance  with  Section  85-15  of  the  Township Code; any
20    not-for-profit corporation or association, with a  membership
21    consisting primarily of municipalities, that operates its own
22    utility    system,    and    provides   research,   training,
23    dissemination  of  information,  or  other  acts  to  promote
24    cooperation between and  among  municipalities  that  provide
25    utility  services  and  for  the advancement of the goals and
26    purposes of its membership; and the Illinois  Association  of
27    Park Districts.  "Qualified local government" means a unit of
28    local  government  approved by the Director and participating
29    in a program created under subsection (i) of  Section  10  of
30    this Act.
31        (t)  "Qualified   rehabilitation   facility"   means  any
32    not-for-profit  organization  that  is  accredited   by   the
33    Commission  on  Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or
34    certified by the Department of Human Services  (as  successor
 
                            -10-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    to   the   Department  of  Mental  Health  and  Developmental
 2    Disabilities)   to   provide   services   to   persons   with
 3    disabilities and which  receives  funds  from  the  State  of
 4    Illinois  for  providing  those  services,  approved  by  the
 5    Director   and  participating  in  a  program  created  under
 6    subsection (j) of Section 10 of this Act.
 7        (u)  "Qualified domestic  violence  shelter  or  service"
 8    means  any  Illinois domestic violence shelter or service and
 9    its administrative offices funded by the Department of  Human
10    Services  (as  successor to the Illinois Department of Public
11    Aid), approved by the Director and participating in a program
12    created under subsection (k) of Section 10.
13        (v)  "TRS benefit recipient" means a person who:
14             (1)  is not a "member" as defined in  this  Section;
15        and
16             (2)  is  receiving  a  monthly benefit or retirement
17        annuity under Article 16 of the  Illinois  Pension  Code;
18        and
19             (3)  either  (i)  has at least 8 years of creditable
20        service under Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code, or
21        (ii) was enrolled in the health insurance program offered
22        under that Article on January 1, 1996, or  (iii)  is  the
23        survivor  of a benefit recipient who had at least 8 years
24        of creditable service under Article 16  of  the  Illinois
25        Pension  Code  or  was  enrolled  in the health insurance
26        program offered under that Article on the effective  date
27        of this amendatory Act of 1995, or (iv) is a recipient or
28        survivor  of  a  recipient  of a disability benefit under
29        Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code.
30        (w)  "TRS dependent beneficiary" means a person who:
31             (1)  is not a "member" or "dependent" as defined  in
32        this Section; and
33             (2)  is  a  TRS benefit recipient's: (A) spouse, (B)
34        dependent parent who is receiving at least half of his or
 
                            -11-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1        her support  from  the  TRS  benefit  recipient,  or  (C)
 2        unmarried  natural  or adopted child who is (i) under age
 3        19, or  (ii)  enrolled  as  a  full-time  student  in  an
 4        accredited  school,  financially  dependent  upon the TRS
 5        benefit recipient, eligible as a dependent  for  Illinois
 6        State  income tax purposes, and either is under age 24 or
 7        was, on January 1, 1996,  participating  as  a  dependent
 8        beneficiary in the health insurance program offered under
 9        Article  16 of the Illinois Pension Code, or (iii) age 19
10        or over who is  mentally  or  physically  handicapped  as
11        defined in the Illinois Insurance Code.
12        (x)  "Military  leave  with  pay  and benefits" refers to
13    individuals in basic training for reserves,  special/advanced
14    training,  annual  training, emergency call up, or activation
15    by the President of the United States with approved  pay  and
16    benefits.
17        (y)  "Military  leave without pay and benefits" refers to
18    individuals who enlist for active duty in a regular component
19    of the U.S. Armed Forces  or  other  duty  not  specified  or
20    authorized under military leave with pay and benefits.
21        (z)  "Community college benefit recipient" means a person
22    who:
23             (1)  is  not  a "member" as defined in this Section;
24        and
25             (2)  is receiving a monthly  survivor's  annuity  or
26        retirement  annuity  under  Article  15  of  the Illinois
27        Pension Code; and
28             (3)  either  (i)  was  a  full-time  employee  of  a
29        community college district or an association of community
30        college boards created under the Public Community College
31        Act (other than an employee  whose  last  employer  under
32        Article  15  of the Illinois Pension Code was a community
33        college district subject to Article  VII  of  the  Public
34        Community College Act) and was eligible to participate in
 
                            -12-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1        a  group  health  benefit  plan as an employee during the
 2        time of employment  with  a  community  college  district
 3        (other  than  a  community  college  district  subject to
 4        Article VII of the Public Community College  Act)  or  an
 5        association  of  community college boards, or (ii) is the
 6        survivor of a person described in item (i).
 7        (aa)  "Community college dependent beneficiary"  means  a
 8    person who:
 9             (1)  is  not a "member" or "dependent" as defined in
10        this Section; and
11             (2)  is a community college benefit recipient's: (A)
12        spouse, (B) dependent parent who is  receiving  at  least
13        half  of  his  or  her support from the community college
14        benefit recipient, or (C) unmarried  natural  or  adopted
15        child  who  is  (i)  under  age 19, or (ii) enrolled as a
16        full-time student in an  accredited  school,  financially
17        dependent  upon  the community college benefit recipient,
18        eligible as a dependent for  Illinois  State  income  tax
19        purposes  and  under  age 23, or (iii) age 19 or over and
20        mentally or physically  handicapped  as  defined  in  the
21        Illinois Insurance Code.
22    (Source:  P.A.  89-21,  eff.  6-21-95;  89-25,  eff. 6-21-95;
23    89-76,  eff.  7-1-95;  89-324,  eff.  8-13-95;  89-430,  eff.
24    12-15-95; 89-502, eff. 7-1-96; 89-507, eff.  7-1-97;  89-628,
25    eff.  8-9-96; 90-14, eff. 7-1-97; 90-65, eff. 7-7-97; 90-448,
26    eff. 8-16-97; 90-497, eff.  8-18-97;  90-511,  eff.  8-22-97;
27    90-582, eff. 5-27-98; 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

28        (5 ILCS 375/10) (from Ch. 127, par. 530)
29        Sec. 10. Payments by State; premiums.
30        (a)  The    State   shall   pay   the   cost   of   basic
31    non-contributory group life insurance and, subject to  member
32    paid  contributions set by the Department or required by this
33    Section, the basic program of group health benefits  on  each
 
                            -13-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    eligible  member,  except  a member, not otherwise covered by
 2    this Act, who has retired as  a  participating  member  under
 3    Article  2 of the Illinois Pension Code but is ineligible for
 4    the retirement annuity under Section 2-119  of  the  Illinois
 5    Pension  Code, and part of each eligible member's and retired
 6    member's premiums for health insurance coverage for  enrolled
 7    dependents as provided by Section 9.  The State shall pay the
 8    cost of the basic program of group health benefits only after
 9    benefits  are  reduced  by  the amount of benefits covered by
10    Medicare for all retired members and retired dependents  aged
11    65  years  or older who are entitled to benefits under Social
12    Security  or  the  Railroad  Retirement  system  or  who  had
13    sufficient Medicare-covered government employment except that
14    such reduction in benefits shall apply only to those  retired
15    members  or  retired dependents who (1) first become eligible
16    for such Medicare coverage on or after July 1, 1992;  or  (2)
17    remain  eligible for, but no longer receive Medicare coverage
18    which they had been receiving on or after July 1,  1992.  The
19    Department  may  determine the aggregate level of the State's
20    contribution on the basis of actual cost of medical  services
21    adjusted  for  age,  sex  or  geographic or other demographic
22    characteristics which affect the costs of such programs.
23        (a-1)  Beginning January 1, 1998,  for  each  person  who
24    becomes  a  new  SERS annuitant and participates in the basic
25    program of group health benefits, the State shall  contribute
26    toward  the  cost of the annuitant's coverage under the basic
27    program of group health benefits an amount  equal  to  5%  of
28    that cost for each full year of creditable service upon which
29    the  annuitant's retirement annuity is based, up to a maximum
30    of 100% for an annuitant with 20 or more years of  creditable
31    service.  The remainder of the cost of a new SERS annuitant's
32    coverage  under  the  basic  program of group health benefits
33    shall be the responsibility of the annuitant.
34        (a-2)  Beginning January 1, 1998,  for  each  person  who
 
                            -14-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    becomes  a  new  SERS  survivor and participates in the basic
 2    program of group health benefits, the State shall  contribute
 3    toward  the  cost  of the survivor's coverage under the basic
 4    program of group health benefits an amount  equal  to  5%  of
 5    that  cost  for  each full year of the deceased employee's or
 6    deceased  annuitant's  creditable  service   in   the   State
 7    Employees'  Retirement  System  of  Illinois  on  the date of
 8    death, up to a maximum of 100% for a survivor of an  employee
 9    or  annuitant  with  20  or more years of creditable service.
10    The remainder of the cost of the new SERS survivor's coverage
11    under the basic program of group health benefits shall be the
12    responsibility of the survivor.
13        (a-3)  Beginning January 1, 1998,  for  each  person  who
14    becomes  a  new  SURS annuitant and participates in the basic
15    program of group health benefits, the State shall  contribute
16    toward  the  cost of the annuitant's coverage under the basic
17    program of group health benefits an amount  equal  to  5%  of
18    that cost for each full year of creditable service upon which
19    the  annuitant's retirement annuity is based, up to a maximum
20    of 100% for an annuitant with 20 or more years of  creditable
21    service.  The remainder of the cost of a new SURS annuitant's
22    coverage  under  the  basic  program of group health benefits
23    shall be the responsibility of the annuitant.
24        (a-4)  (Blank).  Beginning  January  1,  1998,  for  each
25    person  who  becomes  a  new  SURS   retired   employee   and
26    participates  in  the basic program of group health benefits,
27    the State shall contribute toward the  cost  of  the  retired
28    employee's  coverage  under the basic program of group health
29    benefits an amount equal to 5% of that  cost  for  each  full
30    year  that the retired employee was an employee as defined in
31    Section 3, up to a maximum of 100% for a retired employee who
32    was an employee for 20 or more years.  The remainder  of  the
33    cost  of  a  new  SURS  retired employee's coverage under the
34    basic  program  of  group  health  benefits  shall   be   the
 
                            -15-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    responsibility of the retired employee.
 2        (a-5)  Beginning  January  1,  1998,  for each person who
 3    becomes a new SURS survivor and  participates  in  the  basic
 4    program  of group health benefits, the State shall contribute
 5    toward the cost of the survivor's coverage  under  the  basic
 6    program  of  group  health  benefits an amount equal to 5% of
 7    that cost for each full year of the  deceased  employee's  or
 8    deceased   annuitant's   creditable   service  in  the  State
 9    Universities Retirement System on the date of death, up to  a
10    maximum  of  100%  for a survivor of an employee or annuitant
11    with 20 or more years of creditable service.   The  remainder
12    of  the  cost  of  the new SURS survivor's coverage under the
13    basic  program  of  group  health  benefits  shall   be   the
14    responsibility of the survivor.
15        (a-6)  Beginning  July  1,  1998,  for  each  person  who
16    becomes  a  new  TRS  State annuitant and participates in the
17    basic program of  group  health  benefits,  the  State  shall
18    contribute  toward the cost of the annuitant's coverage under
19    the basic program of group health benefits an amount equal to
20    5% of that cost for each full year of creditable service as a
21    teacher as defined in paragraph (2), (3), or (5)  of  Section
22    16-106   of   the   Illinois  Pension  Code  upon  which  the
23    annuitant's retirement annuity is based, up to a  maximum  of
24    100%  for  an  annuitant  with  20  or  more  years  of  such
25    creditable  service.   The remainder of the cost of a new TRS
26    State annuitant's coverage under the basic program  of  group
27    health benefits shall be the responsibility of the annuitant.
28        (a-7)  Beginning  July  1,  1998,  for  each  person  who
29    becomes  a  new  TRS  State  survivor and participates in the
30    basic program of  group  health  benefits,  the  State  shall
31    contribute  toward  the cost of the survivor's coverage under
32    the basic program of group health benefits an amount equal to
33    5% of that cost for each full year of the deceased employee's
34    or deceased annuitant's creditable service as  a  teacher  as
 
                            -16-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    defined  in  paragraph  (2), (3), or (5) of Section 16-106 of
 2    the Illinois Pension Code on the  date  of  death,  up  to  a
 3    maximum  of  100%  for a survivor of an employee or annuitant
 4    with 20 or  more  years  of  such  creditable  service.   The
 5    remainder  of  the  cost  of  the  new  TRS  State survivor's
 6    coverage under the basic program  of  group  health  benefits
 7    shall be the responsibility of the survivor.
 8        (a-8)  A  new SERS annuitant, new SERS survivor, new SURS
 9    annuitant, new SURS retired employee, new SURS survivor,  new
10    TRS  State  annuitant, or new TRS State survivor may waive or
11    terminate coverage in the program of group  health  benefits.
12    Any  such annuitant or, survivor, or retired employee who has
13    waived or terminated coverage may enroll or re-enroll in  the
14    program  of  group  health  benefits  only  during the annual
15    benefit choice period, as determined by the Director;  except
16    that   in  the  event  of  termination  of  coverage  due  to
17    nonpayment  of  premiums,  the  annuitant  or,  survivor,  or
18    retired employee may not re-enroll in the program.
19        (a-9)  No later than May 1 of  each  calendar  year,  the
20    Director  of  Central  Management  Services  shall certify in
21    writing to the Executive Secretary of  the  State  Employees'
22    Retirement  System  of  Illinois  the amounts of the Medicare
23    supplement health care premiums and the amounts of the health
24    care premiums for all other retirees  who  are  not  Medicare
25    eligible.
26        A  separate  calculation  of  the premiums based upon the
27    actual cost of each health care plan shall be so certified.
28        The Director of Central Management Services shall provide
29    to the Executive Secretary of the State Employees' Retirement
30    System of Illinois such information,  statistics,  and  other
31    data  as  he or she may require to review the premium amounts
32    certified by the Director of Central Management Services.
33        (b)  State employees who become eligible for this program
34    on or after January 1, 1980 in positions  normally  requiring
 
                            -17-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    actual performance of duty not less than 1/2 of a normal work
 2    period  but  not equal to that of a normal work period, shall
 3    be  given  the  option  of  participating  in  the  available
 4    program. If the employee elects  coverage,  the  State  shall
 5    contribute  on  behalf  of  such  employee to the cost of the
 6    employee's benefit and any applicable  dependent  supplement,
 7    that  sum  which bears the same percentage as that percentage
 8    of time the employee regularly works when compared to  normal
 9    work period.
10        (c)  The  basic  non-contributory coverage from the basic
11    program of group health benefits shall be continued for  each
12    employee  not in pay status or on active service by reason of
13    (1) leave of absence due to illness or injury, (2) authorized
14    educational leave of absence  or  sabbatical  leave,  or  (3)
15    military  leave  with  pay  and benefits. This coverage shall
16    continue until expiration of authorized leave and  return  to
17    active  service, but not to exceed 24 months for leaves under
18    item (1) or (2). This 24-month limitation and the requirement
19    of returning to active service shall  not  apply  to  persons
20    receiving  ordinary  or  accidental  disability  benefits  or
21    retirement  benefits through the appropriate State retirement
22    system  or  benefits  under  the  Workers'  Compensation   or
23    Occupational Disease Act.
24        (d)  The   basic  group  life  insurance  coverage  shall
25    continue, with full State contribution, where such person  is
26    (1)  absent  from  active  service  by  reason  of disability
27    arising from any cause  other  than  self-inflicted,  (2)  on
28    authorized  educational leave of absence or sabbatical leave,
29    or (3) on military leave with pay and benefits.
30        (e)  Where the person is in non-pay status for  a  period
31    in  excess  of  30 days or on leave of absence, other than by
32    reason of disability, educational  or  sabbatical  leave,  or
33    military  leave  with  pay  and  benefits,  such  person  may
34    continue  coverage  only  by making personal payment equal to
 
                            -18-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    the amount normally contributed by the State on such person's
 2    behalf. Such payments and  coverage  may  be  continued:  (1)
 3    until  such  time  as the person returns to a status eligible
 4    for coverage at State expense, but not to exceed  24  months,
 5    (2)  until  such person's employment or annuitant status with
 6    the State is terminated, or (3) for a  maximum  period  of  4
 7    years for members on military leave with pay and benefits and
 8    military  leave  without  pay  and benefits (exclusive of any
 9    additional service imposed pursuant to law).
10        (f)  The Department shall  establish by rule  the  extent
11    to which other employee benefits will continue for persons in
12    non-pay status or who are not in active service.
13        (g)  The  State  shall  not  pay  the  cost  of the basic
14    non-contributory group  life  insurance,  program  of  health
15    benefits  and  other  employee  benefits  for members who are
16    survivors as defined by paragraphs (1) and (2) of  subsection
17    (q)  of  Section  3  of  this Act.  The costs of benefits for
18    these survivors shall be paid by  the  survivors  or  by  the
19    University  of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, or any
20    combination thereof.
21        (h)  Those   persons   occupying   positions   with   any
22    department as a result of emergency appointments pursuant  to
23    Section  8b.8  of  the  Personnel Code who are not considered
24    employees under  this  Act  shall  be  given  the  option  of
25    participating in the programs of group life insurance, health
26    benefits  and other employee benefits.  Such persons electing
27    coverage may participate only by making payment equal to  the
28    amount  normally  contributed  by  the  State  for  similarly
29    situated  employees.  Such amounts shall be determined by the
30    Director.  Such payments and coverage may be continued  until
31    such  time as the person becomes an employee pursuant to this
32    Act or such person's appointment is terminated.
33        (i)  Any unit of local government  within  the  State  of
34    Illinois  may  apply  to  the Director to have its employees,
 
                            -19-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    annuitants,  and  their  dependents  provided  group   health
 2    coverage   under   this  Act  on  a  non-insured  basis.   To
 3    participate, a unit of local government must agree to  enroll
 4    all  of  its  employees, who may select coverage under either
 5    the State group health insurance plan or a health maintenance
 6    organization  that  has  contracted  with  the  State  to  be
 7    available as a health care provider for employees as  defined
 8    in  this  Act.   A  unit  of  local government must remit the
 9    entire cost of  providing  coverage  under  the  State  group
10    health  insurance  plan  or,  for  coverage  under  a  health
11    maintenance   organization,   an  amount  determined  by  the
12    Director based on an analysis of  the  sex,  age,  geographic
13    location,  or  other  relevant  demographic variables for its
14    employees, except that the unit of local government shall not
15    be required to enroll those of its employees who are  covered
16    spouses or dependents under this plan or another group policy
17    or   plan  providing  health  benefits  as  long  as  (1)  an
18    appropriate  official  from  the  unit  of  local  government
19    attests that each employee not enrolled is a  covered  spouse
20    or dependent under this plan or another group policy or plan,
21    and  (2)  at  least 85% of the employees are enrolled and the
22    unit of local government remits the entire cost of  providing
23    coverage  to  those  employees.  Employees of a participating
24    unit of local government who are not enrolled due to coverage
25    under another group health policy or plan  may  enroll  at  a
26    later  date subject to submission of satisfactory evidence of
27    insurability and provided that no benefits shall  be  payable
28    for  services  incurred during the first 6 months of coverage
29    to the extent  the  services  are   in  connection  with  any
30    pre-existing   condition.   A  participating  unit  of  local
31    government may also elect to cover its annuitants.  Dependent
32    coverage shall be offered on  an  optional  basis,  with  the
33    costs paid by the unit of local government, its employees, or
34    some  combination  of  the  two  as determined by the unit of
 
                            -20-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    local government.  The unit  of  local  government  shall  be
 2    responsible   for   timely  collection  and  transmission  of
 3    dependent premiums.
 4        The Director shall annually determine  monthly  rates  of
 5    payment, subject to the following constraints:
 6             (1)  In  the first year of coverage, the rates shall
 7        be  equal  to  the  amount  normally  charged  to   State
 8        employees  for elected optional coverages or for enrolled
 9        dependents coverages or other contributory coverages,  or
10        contributed by the State for basic insurance coverages on
11        behalf of its employees, adjusted for differences between
12        State  employees and employees of the local government in
13        age,  sex,  geographic   location   or   other   relevant
14        demographic  variables,  plus an amount sufficient to pay
15        for the  additional  administrative  costs  of  providing
16        coverage to employees of the unit of local government and
17        their dependents.
18             (2)  In subsequent years, a further adjustment shall
19        be  made  to  reflect  the  actual  prior  years'  claims
20        experience   of  the  employees  of  the  unit  of  local
21        government.
22        In the case of coverage  of  local  government  employees
23    under  a  health maintenance organization, the Director shall
24    annually determine  for  each  participating  unit  of  local
25    government the maximum monthly amount the unit may contribute
26    toward  that  coverage,  based on an analysis of (i) the age,
27    sex, geographic  location,  and  other  relevant  demographic
28    variables  of the unit's employees and (ii) the cost to cover
29    those employees under the State group health insurance  plan.
30    The  Director  may  similarly  determine  the maximum monthly
31    amount each unit of local government  may  contribute  toward
32    coverage   of   its  employees'  dependents  under  a  health
33    maintenance organization.
34        Monthly payments by the unit of local government  or  its
 
                            -21-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    employees  for  group  health insurance or health maintenance
 2    organization  coverage  shall  be  deposited  in  the   Local
 3    Government   Health   Insurance   Reserve  Fund.   The  Local
 4    Government  Health  Insurance  Reserve  Fund   shall   be   a
 5    continuing  fund not subject to fiscal year limitations.  All
 6    expenditures from this fund shall be used  for  payments  for
 7    health  care benefits for local government and rehabilitation
 8    facility  employees,  annuitants,  and  dependents,  and   to
 9    reimburse   the  Department  or  its  administrative  service
10    organization for all expenses incurred in the  administration
11    of  benefits.   No  other  State  funds may be used for these
12    purposes.
13        A local government employer's participation or desire  to
14    participate  in a program created under this subsection shall
15    not  limit  that  employer's  duty  to   bargain   with   the
16    representative  of  any  collective  bargaining  unit  of its
17    employees.
18        (j)  Any rehabilitation  facility  within  the  State  of
19    Illinois  may  apply  to  the Director to have its employees,
20    annuitants,  and  their  dependents  provided  group   health
21    coverage   under   this   Act  on  a  non-insured  basis.  To
22    participate, a rehabilitation facility must agree  to  enroll
23    all  of  its employees and remit the entire cost of providing
24    such  coverage   for   its   employees,   except   that   the
25    rehabilitation facility shall not be required to enroll those
26    of  its employees who are covered spouses or dependents under
27    this plan or another group policy or  plan  providing  health
28    benefits  as  long  as  (1)  an appropriate official from the
29    rehabilitation  facility  attests  that  each  employee   not
30    enrolled  is a covered spouse or dependent under this plan or
31    another group policy or plan, and (2) at  least  85%  of  the
32    employees are enrolled and the rehabilitation facility remits
33    the  entire  cost  of  providing coverage to those employees.
34    Employees of a participating rehabilitation facility who  are
 
                            -22-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    not  enrolled  due  to  coverage  under  another group health
 2    policy or  plan  may  enroll  at  a  later  date  subject  to
 3    submission  of  satisfactory  evidence  of  insurability  and
 4    provided  that  no  benefits  shall  be  payable for services
 5    incurred during the first 6 months of coverage to the  extent
 6    the   services   are  in  connection  with  any  pre-existing
 7    condition. A participating rehabilitation facility  may  also
 8    elect  to  cover  its annuitants. Dependent coverage shall be
 9    offered on an optional basis, with  the  costs  paid  by  the
10    rehabilitation  facility,  its employees, or some combination
11    of the 2 as determined by the  rehabilitation  facility.  The
12    rehabilitation  facility  shall  be  responsible  for  timely
13    collection and transmission of dependent premiums.
14        The  Director shall annually determine quarterly rates of
15    payment, subject to the following constraints:
16             (1)  In the first year of coverage, the rates  shall
17        be   equal  to  the  amount  normally  charged  to  State
18        employees for elected optional coverages or for  enrolled
19        dependents  coverages  or other contributory coverages on
20        behalf of its employees, adjusted for differences between
21        State  employees  and  employees  of  the  rehabilitation
22        facility  in  age,  sex,  geographic  location  or  other
23        relevant demographic variables, plus an amount sufficient
24        to  pay  for  the  additional  administrative  costs   of
25        providing  coverage  to  employees  of the rehabilitation
26        facility and their dependents.
27             (2)  In subsequent years, a further adjustment shall
28        be  made  to  reflect  the  actual  prior  years'  claims
29        experience  of  the  employees  of   the   rehabilitation
30        facility.
31        Monthly  payments  by  the rehabilitation facility or its
32    employees for group health insurance shall  be  deposited  in
33    the Local Government Health Insurance Reserve Fund.
34        (k)  Any  domestic violence shelter or service within the
 
                            -23-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    State of Illinois may apply  to  the  Director  to  have  its
 2    employees,  annuitants,  and  their dependents provided group
 3    health coverage under this Act on a  non-insured  basis.   To
 4    participate,  a  domestic  violence  shelter  or service must
 5    agree to enroll all of its employees and pay the entire  cost
 6    of   providing   such   coverage   for   its   employees.   A
 7    participating domestic violence shelter  may  also  elect  to
 8    cover its annuitants.  Dependent coverage shall be offered on
 9    an optional basis, with employees, or some combination of the
10    2  as determined by the domestic violence shelter or service.
11    The domestic violence shelter or service shall be responsible
12    for timely collection and transmission of dependent premiums.
13        The Director shall annually determine quarterly rates  of
14    payment, subject to the following constraints:
15             (1)  In  the first year of coverage, the rates shall
16        be  equal  to  the  amount  normally  charged  to   State
17        employees  for elected optional coverages or for enrolled
18        dependents coverages or other contributory  coverages  on
19        behalf of its employees, adjusted for differences between
20        State  employees  and  employees of the domestic violence
21        shelter or service in age, sex,  geographic  location  or
22        other  relevant  demographic  variables,  plus  an amount
23        sufficient to pay for the additional administrative costs
24        of  providing  coverage  to  employees  of  the  domestic
25        violence shelter or service and their dependents.
26             (2)  In subsequent years, a further adjustment shall
27        be  made  to  reflect  the  actual  prior  years'  claims
28        experience of the  employees  of  the  domestic  violence
29        shelter or service.
30             (3)  In  no  case  shall  the  rate be less than the
31        amount normally charged to State employees or contributed
32        by the State on behalf of its employees.
33        Monthly payments by  the  domestic  violence  shelter  or
34    service  or its employees for group health insurance shall be
 
                            -24-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    deposited in the Local Government  Health  Insurance  Reserve
 2    Fund.
 3        (l)  A  public  community  college  or  entity  organized
 4    pursuant to the Public Community College Act may apply to the
 5    Director  initially to have only annuitants not covered prior
 6    to July 1, 1992 by the district's health plan provided health
 7    coverage  under  this  Act  on  a  non-insured  basis.    The
 8    community   college   must   execute  a  2-year  contract  to
 9    participate in  the  Local  Government  Health  Plan.   Those
10    annuitants  enrolled initially under this contract shall have
11    no benefits payable for services incurred during the first  6
12    months  of  coverage  to  the  extent  the  services  are  in
13    connection  with  any  pre-existing condition.  Any annuitant
14    who may enroll after this initial enrollment period shall  be
15    subject   to   submission   of   satisfactory   evidence   of
16    insurability and to the pre-existing conditions limitation.
17        The  Director  shall  annually determine monthly rates of
18    payment subject to  the  following  constraints:   for  those
19    community  colleges with annuitants only enrolled, first year
20    rates shall be equal to the average cost to cover claims  for
21    a   State   member   adjusted   for   demographics,  Medicare
22    participation, and other factors; and in the second  year,  a
23    further  adjustment  of  rates  shall  be made to reflect the
24    actual  first  year's  claims  experience  of   the   covered
25    annuitants.
26        (m)  The  Director shall adopt any rules deemed necessary
27    for implementation of this amendatory Act of 1989 (Public Act
28    86-978).
29    (Source:  P.A.  89-53,  eff.  7-1-95;  89-236,  eff.  8-4-95;
30    89-324,  eff.  8-13-95;  89-626,  eff.  8-9-96;  90-65,  eff.
31    7-7-97; 90-582, eff. 5-27-98; 90-655, eff.  7-30-98;  revised
32    8-3-98.)

33        Section  10.  The  Illinois  Pension  Code  is amended by
 
                            -25-               LRB9102763EGfg
 1    adding Section 15-135.1 as follows:

 2        (40 ILCS 5/15-135.1 new)
 3        Sec. 15-135.1. Election  to  avoid  application  of  P.A.
 4    90-65.
 5        (a)  A  participant  who  was an employee on July 7, 1997
 6    and retires on or after the effective date of this amendatory
 7    Act of the 91st General Assembly may elect in writing at  the
 8    time  of retirement to have the retirement annuity calculated
 9    in accordance with the  provisions  of  Sections  15-135  and
10    15-136  as  they  existed  immediately  prior to amendment by
11    Public Act 90-65.  This election, once made, is irrevocable.
12        (b)  The fact that a person has elected to participate in
13    the optional retirement program under Section 15-158.2 or has
14    elected the portability  option  under  subsection  (a-1)  of
15    Section  15-154  does  not  prevent the person from making an
16    election under subsection (a) of this Section; the fact  that
17    such a person makes an election under subsection (a) does not
18    allow  the  person to change the irrevocable election that he
19    or she made under Section 15-158.2  or  subsection  (a-1)  of
20    Section 15-154.
21        (c)  The  System  shall promptly notify the Department of
22    Central Management Services of each election made under  this
23    Section.

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

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