IL SB0419

Allows firefighters in municipalities with populations between 10,000 and 11,000 in counties with populations between 600,000 and 700,000 to establish creditable service for prior fire protection work by May 1, 2007, upon payment of back contributions plus 6% annual interest.

Permits part-time firefighters meeting specified criteria (at least 5 years creditable service, at least 5 years with qualifying municipality) to receive one year of creditable service for every 5 years of part-time service, capped at 3 years maximum.

Allows firefighters first employed in 2008 who were prevented from participating in a pension fund until 2015 due to municipal delays to establish creditable service for that employment period through back contributions plus 6% interest, contingent on municipal governing body consent and employer contributions.

Modifies automatic annual pension increases for firefighters born after December 31, 1954 but before January 1, 1966 to provide 3% annual increases beginning January 1, 2017, with retroactive adjustments to equalize years that received only 1.5% increases.

Clarifies that changes regarding 3% pension increases for firefighters born between 1955-1965 constitute a declaration of existing law under the 100th General Assembly.