IL HB1378

Adds Parkinson's disease to the list of occupational diseases for which Chicago firefighters with 7+ years of service may receive disability benefits.

Firefighters unable to perform duties due to heart disease, lung disease, AIDS, hepatitis C, Parkinson's disease, or stroke are entitled to occupational disease disability benefits equal to 65% of their salary at removal from payroll.

Firefighters hired after the effective date must pass a medical examination; those with pre-existing Parkinson's disease or other listed conditions are ineligible for occupational disease disability benefits unless a subsequent examination shows the condition has cleared.

Benefits include occupational disease disability payments until age of compulsory retirement, plus child disability benefits of $30 per month for unmarried children under 18 (or handicapped dependents), with combined benefits capped at 75% of the firefighter's salary.

Amends the State Mandates Act to exempt this requirement from state reimbursement obligations and takes effect immediately upon enactment.