HB 5232

Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, if a fireman receiving an occupational disease disability benefit dies on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the fireman's surviving spouse may elect, in a manner prescribed by the Board of the Fund, to receive the deceased fireman's occupational disease disability benefit in lieu of the widow's annuity or Tier 2 surviving spouse annuity, whichever is applicable. Provides that the surviving spouse's eligibility for the deceased fireman's occupational disease disability benefit shall be the same as the eligibility for the widow's annuity or Tier 2 surviving spouse annuity, whichever is applicable. Provides that the changes apply without regard to whether the deceased fireman was in service on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.