IL SB1798

Allows retired Chicago firefighters receiving a retirement annuity to claim an occupational disease disability benefit if they have not reached mandatory retirement age and have received the annuity for 5 years or less.

Eligible retirees must have a condition (heart disease, tuberculosis, lung disease, AIDS, hepatitis C, stroke, or qualifying cancer) that would have qualified them for the occupational disease disability benefit while actively serving.

A firefighter receiving the occupational disease disability benefit cannot simultaneously receive a retirement annuity during the benefit period, which terminates at mandatory retirement age.

The occupational disease disability benefit equals 65% of the firefighter's salary at the time of removal from the Department payroll, with a minimum of 50% of current salary after 10 years of payments.

Amends the State Mandates Act to provide that implementation of this Act requires no State reimbursement; takes effect immediately upon becoming law.