PEN CD-POLICE AND FIRE

Amends the General Provisions, Downstate Police, Downstate Firefighter, Chicago Police, Chicago Firefighter, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), State Employees, and State Universities Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. With regard to police officers, firefighters, and similar public safety employees, removes Tier 2 limitations on the amount of salary for annuity purposes; provides that the automatic annual increases to a retirement pension or survivor pension are calculated under the Tier 1 formulas; and provides that the amount of and eligibility for a retirement annuity are calculated under the Tier 1 provisions. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that each fiscal year, the Comptroller shall pay to each unit of local government that makes a certification of certain employer costs under the Illinois Pension Code or under a specified provision of the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act an amount equal to 40% of the total amount certified by the unit of local government. Creates a continuing appropriation of that amount. Amends the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act. Provides that a unit of local government that provides health insurance to police officers and firefighters shall maintain the health insurance plans of these employees after retirement and shall contribute toward the cost of the annuitant's coverage under the unit of local government's health insurance plan an amount equal to 4% of that cost for each full year of creditable service upon which the annuitant's retirement annuity is based. Makes other and conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

• John M. CabelloR