Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB 4575

Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a child's annuity is payable to a child who is over 18 years of age, but less than 23 years of age, if he or she is a full-time student. Eliminates the 3-day waiting period for the payment of a duty disability benefit for certain persons. Creates an interim disability benefit for an employee who has a pending workers' compensation claim or who is awaiting a final determination by the Industrial Commission. Provides a minimum annuity for certain retirees and surviving spouses. Authorizes employer pickup and tax-deferred status for contributions made toward the alternative plan for commissioners. With respect to the 5 years of service needed to establish eligibility for a disability retirement annuity, excludes service credit earned while on disability for new employees. Clarifies the calculation of service with respect to the Optional Plan. Allows an employee who has returned to service to repay a prior refund within the 90 days following his or her final withdrawal from service. Allows payment of a refund to certain nonvested employees who are under age 55 (rather than 50). Provides that the refund due to a person who enters service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act and who must forfeit his or her pension because of a felony conviction shall be equal to his or her contributions (including amounts paid by the person to establish additional or optional credit), without interest, less the amount of any benefits paid to the person (including benefits paid to an alternate payee under a QILDRO). Provides that the refund shall not include employer contributions or any interest on contributions. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Further amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Deletes provisions concerning the payment of a refund to a person who must forfeit his or her pension as a result of a felony conviction. Makes changes concerning eligibility for a surviving spouse's annuity. Provides that certain early retirement discounts apply to the calculation of a surviving spouse's annuity. Provides that an employee may establish service credit for voluntary military service that commences after commencement of service with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Date	Chamber	Action
1/11/2005	House	Session Sine Die

Date	Chamber	Action
2/4/2004	House	Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Ralph C. Capparelli
2/4/2004	House	First Reading
2/4/2004	House	Referred to Rules Committee
3/2/2004	House	Assigned to Personnel and Pensions Committee
3/3/2004	House	Motion to Suspend Rule 25 - Prevailed by Voice Vote
3/4/2004	House	House Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Personnel and Pensions Committee
3/4/2004	House	House Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Personnel and Pensions Committee; by Voice Vote
3/4/2004	House	Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Personnel and Pensions Committee; 005-000-000
3/4/2004	House	Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
3/16/2004	House	Pension Note Filed As Amended by HA 1
3/26/2004	House	Second Reading - Short Debate
3/26/2004	House	Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
3/29/2004	House	Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 088-024-000
3/30/2004	Senate	Arrive in Senate
3/30/2004	Senate	Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading
3/30/2004	Senate	Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Denny Jacobs
3/30/2004	Senate	First Reading
3/30/2004	Senate	Referred to Rules
1/11/2005	House	Session Sine Die

	Adds reference to:
	40 ILCS 5/13-305	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 13-305

	Pension Note (Economic and Fiscal Commission)
	According to the Fund's actuary, the fiscal impact of House Bill 4575, as amended by House Amendment 1, is expected to be minor.