Bill > SB1191

This bill amends the Illinois Pension Code to enhance legal protections for Chicago police officers seeking disability benefits. Specifically, the bill expands the circumstances under which a police officer can recover court costs, litigation expenses, and attorney's fees if they successfully challenge a disability benefits decision through administrative review. The bill now allows officers to seek these recoveries if their application for duty disability, occupational disease disability, or ordinary disability benefits is initially denied, or if their existing disability benefits are terminated by the Retirement Board. Moreover, if the officer prevails in the administrative review action, they can recover these expenses from the Fund. The bill also includes a provision in the State Mandates Act that specifies the implementation of these changes does not require state reimbursement. This legislation aims to provide more robust legal recourse and financial support for police officers who believe they have been wrongly denied or stripped of disability benefits, potentially making it easier for them to challenge such decisions.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1191&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104