HB4939 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 18576 MJP 33799 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB4939

Introduced , by Rep. Thomas M. Bennett

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

40 ILCS 5/4-112

from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 4-112

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a firefighter receiving a disability pension for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shall not be required to undergo a medical examination to verify continuance of disability after attaining the age of 45 (rather than 50). Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

PENSION IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public employee benefits.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing Section 4-112 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/4-112) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 4-112)

Sec. 4-112. Determination of disability; restoration to active service; disability cannot constitute cause for discharge. A disability pension shall not be paid until disability has been established by the board by examinations of the firefighter at pension fund expense by 3 physicians selected by the board and such other evidence as the board deems necessary. The 3 physicians selected by the board need not agree as to the existence of any disability or the nature and extent of a disability. Medical examination of a firefighter receiving a disability pension shall be made at least once each year prior to attainment of age 50 in order to verify continuance of disability, except that a medical examination of a firefighter receiving a disability pension for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shall not be made after attainment of age 45. No examination shall be required after age 50, except that no examination shall be required after age 45 for a firefighter receiving a disability pension for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). No physical or mental disability that constitutes, in whole or in part, the basis of an application for benefits under this Article may be used, in whole or in part, by any municipality or fire protection district employing firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics as cause for discharge.

Upon satisfactory proof to the board that a firefighter on the disability pension has recovered from disability, the board shall terminate the disability pension. The firefighter shall report to the marshal or chief of the fire department, who shall thereupon order immediate reinstatement into active service, and the municipality shall immediately return the firefighter to its payroll, in the same rank or grade held at the date he or she was placed on disability pension. If the firefighter must file a civil action against the municipality to enforce his or her mandated return to payroll under this paragraph, then the firefighter is entitled to recovery of reasonable court costs and attorney's fees.

The firefighter shall be entitled to 10 days notice before any hearing or meeting of the board at which the question of his or her disability is to be considered, and shall have the right to be present at any such hearing or meeting, and to be represented by counsel; however, the board shall not have any obligation to provide such fireman with counsel.

(Source: P.A. 95-681, eff. 10-11-07.)

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