Bill Text: IL HB5342 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Veto Message
Bill Title: Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a person to participate in the Chicago Firefighter Article if he or she (1) is or was employed and receiving a salary as a fireman, (2) has at least 5 years of service under the Chicago Firefighter Article, (3) is employed in a position covered under a specified provision of the Chicago Municipal Article relating to aldermen and members of the city council, (4) made an election under the Chicago Municipal Article to not receive service credit or be a participant under that Article, and (5) made an election to participate under the Chicago Firefighter Article. Provides that for such a person, "salary" means the lesser of (i) the salary associated with the highest career service rank under the Chicago Firefighter Article or (ii) the actual salary received by that person for service under a specified provision of the Chicago Municipal Article relating to aldermen and members of the city council. Provides that for the purposes of determining employee and employer contributions, the employee and employer shall be responsible for any and all contributions otherwise required if the person was employed as a fireman. Makes conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-11-30 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 100-1144 [HB5342 Detail]
Download: Illinois-2017-HB5342-Veto_Message.html
August 17, 2018
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House of Representatives,
100th General Assembly:
Today I veto House Bill 5342 from the 100th General Assembly, which allows aldermen and city council members in Chicago who served as firefighters to elect to receive a firefighter pension rather than a municipal employee pension upon retirement.
This change will allow aldermen to keep participating in a more lucrative pension than they would otherwise be able to during their service in city council at Chicago taxpayers’ expense. Changes like this further exacerbate the liabilities of our pension funds and will constrict the Chicago Firefighter Pension Fund’s ability to pay its obligations to other deserving emergency responders.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 5342, entitled “AN ACT concerning public employee benefits,” with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
Sincerely,
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
