Bill > HB3354

This bill amends the Illinois Pension Code to enhance legal protections for Chicago police officers seeking disability benefits. Specifically, the bill provides that if a police officer has an application for a duty disability, occupational disease disability, or ordinary disability benefit denied by a majority vote of the Retirement Board, and the officer successfully challenges that denial through an administrative review action, they will be entitled to recover court costs, litigation expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees from the pension fund. Similarly, if a police officer's existing disability benefits are terminated by a majority vote of the Retirement Board and the officer successfully challenges that termination through administrative review, they will also be entitled to recover these legal costs. Additionally, the bill amends the State Mandates Act to specify that the implementation of these changes does not require reimbursement by the state. The bill aims to provide police officers with additional legal recourse and financial protection when disputing disability benefit decisions, ensuring they can effectively challenge what they believe to be incorrect determinations without bearing the full financial burden of legal action.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3354&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104