IL HB1744

Amends Section 8-151 of the Illinois Pension Code to create a rebuttable presumption that employee deaths from COVID-19 resulted from duty-related injury, making widows eligible for compensation and supplemental annuities.

COVID-19 deaths qualify for the presumption if confirmed by positive laboratory test, COVID-19 antibodies, or licensed medical professional diagnosis, covering exposures between March 9, 2020 and June 30, 2021.

Exempts the presumption if the employee was on leave of absence or not required to report to their physical work space for 14 or more consecutive days immediately before contracting COVID-19, including remote work situations.

Establishes that the date of COVID-19 contraction is either the diagnosis date or the date the employee became unable to work due to symptoms later diagnosed as COVID-19, whichever came first.

Exempts the state from reimbursement obligations under the State Mandates Act for implementing the COVID-19 presumption mandate.