IL HB1627

Adds full-time firefighters and firefighter/paramedics employed by cities, villages, incorporated towns, or townships with populations under 5,000 in counties with over 1,000,000 residents, employing 40+ firefighters under a collective bargaining agreement, to the "sheriff's law enforcement employee" category under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) if not eligible for Article 4 funds.

Provides occupational disease disability benefits for qualifying firefighters and firefighter/paramedics with 5+ years of service who become unable to perform duties due to heart disease, stroke, tuberculosis, lung/respiratory disease, or work-related cancer, with pension equal to the greater of 65% of salary or their retirement benefit amount.

Establishes survivor benefits for firefighters under this provision, including child disability benefits of $20 monthly per dependent child under age 18, with surviving spouse receiving 100% of salary attached to the firefighter's rank if death results from duty-related sickness, accident, or injury.

Exempts the mandate from State Mandates Act reimbursement requirements, meaning no state funding is required for implementation.

Effective immediately upon enactment.