Legislative News
by: Keith George
May 20, 2009
The Illinois General Assembly is in full swing now. In this column, we will examine various bills or resolutions of a law enforcement nature. A synopsis of the bill in question will follow with sponsor documentation where applicable.
We will also comment as to whether a bill is law enforcement friendly and suggest that you call your local representatives and encourage him or her to assist passage or to kill a bill in whatever house it may appear (House or Senate). It is important that you become involved in these matters. Your approval or rejection of any bill should be made known to your representative.
HB3656
The Police Pension Transfer of Creditable service bill was introduced on February 24, 2009, in the House by State Representative Jay C. Hoffman. This bill is designed to allow an officer to transfer part of their creditable service from one pension to another to reduce the monetary contribution by the officer.
A short synopsis as it was introduced: This bill amends the Downstate Police Municipal Article of the Illinois Pension Code. The bill provides that an officer may elect to have his or her creditable service reduced rather that paying the difference between the amount transferred and the true cost of allowing that creditable service to be established. It amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
This is a good bill. It allows officers to have a choice of how much of their creditable service they can afford to transfer. Currently, the officer must transfer all of their previous creditable service, which can be very costly to the officer. An officer who cannot afford all of the costs for their creditable service ends up not transferring any of their creditable years of service. This would allow the officer the option to transfer the maximum number of years they can afford. It is a bill that MAP supports and encourages our membership to contact your local representatives as well as the sponsor State Representative Jim C. Hoffman to express your support.
The bill has been place on Calendar for a 2nd reading on May 5, 2009. Check out this bill online at the Illinois General Assembly page at www.ilga.gov and click on Bills and Resolutions.