IL HB2524

Expands the definition of "firefighter" under the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code to include "de facto firefighters" employed by municipalities or fire protection districts

Defines "de facto firefighter" as someone who spends a majority of working time controlling/extinguishing fires, preparing for such work, or waiting to respond to calls, with work hours comparable to firefighters covered under existing civil service provisions

Excludes from the de facto firefighter definition: part-time firefighters not otherwise covered, auxiliary/reserve/voluntary firefighters, paid-on-call firefighters, and civilian employees like clerks and dispatchers

Changes do not apply retroactively to persons already covered by the pension article before the effective date

Amends the State Mandates Act to exempt this requirement from state reimbursement to local governments, effective immediately upon becoming law