Legislative News
by: Keith George
March 30, 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.
SB2360
The downstate Police Pension increase bill was introduced on February 27, 2009, in the Senate by Senator Kirk Dilllard. This bill is designed to increase the maximum pension from the existing 75% to 80%.
A short synopsis as it was introduced: This bill amends the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code to increase the pension of persons with over 20 years of service. It increases the maximum pension from 75% to 80% of salary. It amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
This bill is designed to create parity with the Fire Fighters Downstate Pension, which already pays 80% to firefighters who retire with 20 years of service.
This is a good bill. It creates parity with the Fire Fighters Downstate Pension Plan and is a bill that we have supported in the past. It is a bill that MAP supports and encourages our membership to contact your local representatives as well as the sponsor Senator Kirk Dillard to express your support.
The bill has been referred to Assignments. Check out this bill online at the Illinois General Assembly page at www.ilga.gov and click on Bills and Resolutions.