HB0302 Summary

• Amends the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code to allow survivor's pensions for spouses and children of marriages occurring after a police officer's retirement.

• Beginning January 1, 2010, surviving spouses and children may receive a survivor's pension if the spouse was married to the officer for at least one year immediately preceding the officer's death, regardless of when the officer was in service.

• For officers who died before the effective date, pension benefits begin accruing on the first day of the month following application receipt by the Board, but not before January 1, 2010, and only after repayment with interest of any previously received refund of contributions.

• Amends the State Mandates Act to specify that no state reimbursement is required for implementing the mandate created by this Act.

• Takes effect immediately upon enactment.