SB 37

Abstract

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires a unit of local government of 5,000 or more inhabitants that employs a firefighter who is a full-time firefighter in a different downstate firefighter pension fund to make specified contributions to that downstate firefighter pension fund. Establishes reporting requirements. Authorizes the State comptroller to intercept State funds in the event the unit of local government does not make its required contribution to the primary employer's downstate pension fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the required contributions by secondary employers are for the purposes of compensating the primary employer's pension fund for additional liabilities and risks to which firefighters are exposed when performing work as firefighters for secondary employers. Provides that the provisions shall not be construed to allow a secondary employee to qualify for benefits or creditable service for employment as firefighters for secondary employers. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 40 ILCS 5/4-110.2 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that the fire chief of a secondary employer shall report any injury, illness, or exposure incurred by a secondary employee during his or her employment to the primary employer's pension fund within 96 hours from the time of the occurrence. Provides that a municipality (instead of a unit of local government) that has established a pension fund under the Downstate Firefighter Article and who employs a full-time firefighter shall be deemed a primary employer with respect to that full-time firefighter. Provides that any municipality (instead of any unit of local government) of 5,000 or more inhabitants that employs or enrolls a firefighter (instead of employs a firefighter) and meets other criteria shall be deemed a secondary employer. Requires a secondary employer to annually prepare a report a report accounting for all hours worked by and wages and salaries (instead of wages and salaries) paid to secondary employee firefighters. Requires a certified copy of the report to be transmitted to the primary employer's pension fund (instead of the primary employer). Removes provisions requiring a secondary employer to make specified contributions to the primary employer's firefighters' pension fund. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.