IL SB3073

Firefighters who were transferred from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) to a municipal firefighters' pension fund after the 2010 federal census would have their benefit tier determined by their original IMRF start date, not their pension fund transfer date.

The change allows affected firefighters who began service before January 1, 2011 to qualify for Tier 1 benefits rather than the less generous Tier 2 benefits established for those joining on or after that date.

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/4-109) to address municipalities that grew large enough after the 2010 census to require creation of separate firefighter pension funds.

The State Mandates Act is amended to exempt this requirement from state reimbursement to local governments.

Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.