HB 3522

Abstract

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires each municipality to establish a defined contribution plan that aggregates firefighter and employer contributions in individual accounts used for retirement. Provides that if a firefighter who has more than 10 years of creditable service in a fund enters active service with a different municipality, he or she may elect to participate in the defined contribution plan in lieu of the defined benefit plan. Provides that if a fire chief to whom a specified provision of the Illinois Municipal Code applies (i) first becomes a member on or after January 1, 2020, (ii) is receiving pension payments, and (iii) reenters active service with any municipality that has established a pension fund under the Article, that fire chief may continue to receive pension payments while he or she is in active service, but shall only participate in a defined contribution plan and may not establish creditable service in the pension fund established by that municipality or have his or her pension recomputed. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Requires a municipality that employs a fire chief who meets certain requirements (instead of each municipality) to establish a defined contribution plan. Removes provisions authorizing a firefighter who has more than 10 years of service in a fund who enters active service with a different municipality to participate in the defined contribution plan in lieu of the defined benefit plan. Makes a conforming change. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that a municipality that employs a fire chief who participates in a defined contribution plan required to be established by the amendatory Act shall provide a disability insurance benefit to that fire chief that is at least equivalent to the disability benefit he or she would be provided if he or she was a participant in the defined benefit plan. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 40 ILCS 5/4-117 from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 4-117 40 ILCS 5/4-117.2 new 30 ILCS 805/8.43 new Adds reference to: 40 ILCS 5/1-101.1 from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 1-101.1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.