HB 1570

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Merges all Article 4 firefighters' pension funds into a single Downstate Firefighters Pension Fund on January 1, 2021. Creates a Transition Board, which is responsible for planning, overseeing, and administering the consolidation. Authorizes the Transition Board to undertake numerous activities necessary for the consolidation, including making arrangements for staff, investments, transfer of assets and liabilities, acquisition of property, establishment of municipality accounts, and adopting rules and procedures. Authorizes the Transition Board to enter into contracts and to obligate and expend the assets of the Fund. Creates a new Board of Trustees for the Fund, and provides for administration of the Fund by the Transition Board until the new Board assumes its duties on January 1, 2022. Provides for investment of the Fund's assets by a custodian chosen by the Board of Trustees. Makes conforming and other changes. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) of the Property Tax Code to exclude from the definition of "aggregate extension" special purpose extensions made for contributions to the Downstate Firefighters Pension Fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately, except that certain changes to the Illinois Pension Code and PTELL of the Property Tax Code take effect January 1, 2021.