State of Illinois
90th General Assembly
Legislation

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90_HB2384

      5 ILCS 375/3              from Ch. 127, par. 523
      5 ILCS 375/10             from Ch. 127, par. 530
      40 ILCS 5/15-135.1 new
          Amends the State Employees Group Insurance  Act  of  1971
      and  the  Illinois Pension Code.  Allows certain participants
      in the State Universities Retirement System to elect to forgo
      certain changes in the retirement  annuity  formula  made  by
      Public  Act  90-65  and  thereby avoid the additional cost of
      group health insurance imposed under that Public  Act.   Also
      eliminates   the   additional   insurance  cost  for  certain
      survivors.   Eliminates  provisions  relating  to  "new  SURS
      retired  employees".   Also  makes   technical   corrections.
      Effective immediately.
                                                     LRB9007352EGfg
                                               LRB9007352EGfg
 1        AN  ACT  relating  to  members  of the State Universities
 2    Retirement System, amending named Acts.
 3        Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
 4    represented in the General Assembly:
 5        Section  5.   The  State Employees Group Insurance Act of
 6    1971 is amended by changing Sections 3 and 10 as follows:
 7        (5 ILCS 375/3) (from Ch. 127, par. 523)
 8        Sec.  3.  Definitions.   Unless  the  context   otherwise
 9    requires, the following words and phrases as used in this Act
10    shall have the following meanings.  The Department may define
11    these  and other words and phrases separately for the purpose
12    of implementing specific programs  providing  benefits  under
13    this Act.
14        (a)  "Administrative   service  organization"  means  any
15    person, firm or corporation experienced in  the  handling  of
16    claims  which  is  fully  qualified,  financially  sound  and
17    capable  of meeting the service requirements of a contract of
18    administration executed with the Department.
19        (b)  "Annuitant" means (1) an employee  who  retires,  or
20    has  retired,  on  or  after  January 1, 1966 on an immediate
21    annuity under the provisions of Articles 2, 14, 15 (including
22    an employee who has retired  under  the  optional  retirement
23    program  established  under Section 15-158.2), paragraphs (b)
24    or (c) of Section 16-106,  or  Article  18  of  the  Illinois
25    Pension   Code;  (2)  any  person  who  was  receiving  group
26    insurance coverage under this Act as of  March  31,  1978  by
27    reason of his status as an annuitant, even though the annuity
28    in  relation  to  which  such  coverage  was  provided  is  a
29    proportional annuity based on less than the minimum period of
30    service  required  for  a  retirement  annuity  in the system
31    involved; (3) any person not otherwise covered  by  this  Act
                            -2-                LRB9007352EGfg
 1    who  has retired as a participating member under Article 2 of
 2    the  Illinois  Pension  Code  but  is  ineligible   for   the
 3    retirement  annuity  under  Section  2-119  of  the  Illinois
 4    Pension Code; (4) the spouse of any person who is receiving a
 5    retirement  annuity  under Article 18 of the Illinois Pension
 6    Code and who  is  covered  under  a  group  health  insurance
 7    program  sponsored  by a governmental employer other than the
 8    State of Illinois and who has irrevocably  elected  to  waive
 9    his  or  her  coverage  under this Act and to have his or her
10    spouse considered as the "annuitant" under this Act  and  not
11    as  a  "dependent";  or  (5)  an employee who retires, or has
12    retired, from a qualified position, as  determined  according
13    to rules promulgated by the Director, under a qualified local
14    government  or  a  qualified  rehabilitation  facility  or  a
15    qualified   domestic   violence   shelter  or  service.  (For
16    definition of "retired employee", see (p) post).
17        (b-5)  "New SERS annuitant" means a  person  who,  on  or
18    after  January  1,  1998, becomes an annuitant, as defined in
19    subsection  (b),  by  virtue  of  beginning  to   receive   a
20    retirement  annuity  under Article 14 of the Illinois Pension
21    Code, and is eligible to participate in the basic program  of
22    group health benefits provided for annuitants under this Act.
23        (b-6)  "New SURS annuitant" means a person who (1), on or
24    after  January  1,  1998, becomes an annuitant, as defined in
25    subsection  (b),  by  virtue  of  beginning  to   receive   a
26    retirement  annuity  under Article 15 of the Illinois Pension
27    Code, (2) has not made the election authorized  under Section
28    15-135.1 of the Illinois Pension Code, and (3) is eligible to
29    participate in the basic program  of  group  health  benefits
30    provided for annuitants under this Act.
31        (c)  "Carrier"   means   (1)   an  insurance  company,  a
32    corporation  organized  under  the  Limited  Health   Service
33    Organization Act or the Voluntary Health Services Plan Act, a
34    partnership,  or other nongovernmental organization, which is
                            -3-                LRB9007352EGfg
 1    authorized  to  do  group  life  or  group  health  insurance
 2    business in Illinois, or (2)  the  State  of  Illinois  as  a
 3    self-insurer.
 4        (d)  "Compensation"  means  salary  or wages payable on a
 5    regular payroll by the State Treasurer on a  warrant  of  the
 6    State Comptroller out of any State, trust or federal fund, or
 7    by  the Governor of the State through a disbursing officer of
 8    the State out of a trust or out of federal funds, or  by  any
 9    Department  out  of State, trust, federal or other funds held
10    by the State Treasurer or the Department, to any  person  for
11    personal   services  currently  performed,  and  ordinary  or
12    accidental disability  benefits  under  Articles  2,  14,  15
13    (including  ordinary  or accidental disability benefits under
14    the optional retirement  program  established  under  Section
15    15-158.2),  paragraphs  (b)  or  (c)  of  Section  16-106, or
16    Article 18 of  the  Illinois  Pension  Code,  for  disability
17    incurred after January 1, 1966, or benefits payable under the
18    Workers'   Compensation   or  Occupational  Diseases  Act  or
19    benefits  payable  under  a  sick  pay  plan  established  in
20    accordance  with  Section  36  of  the  State  Finance   Act.
21    "Compensation" also means salary or wages paid to an employee
22    of any qualified local government or qualified rehabilitation
23    facility or a qualified domestic violence shelter or service.
24        (e)  "Commission"   means   the   State  Employees  Group
25    Insurance  Advisory  Commission  authorized  by   this   Act.
26    Commencing  July  1,  1984,  "Commission" as used in this Act
27    means  the  Illinois  Economic  and  Fiscal   Commission   as
28    established  by the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act
29    of 1984.
30        (f)  "Contributory", when  referred  to  as  contributory
31    coverage,  shall  mean optional coverages or benefits elected
32    by the member toward the cost  of  which  such  member  makes
33    contribution, or which are funded in whole or in part through
34    the acceptance of a reduction in earnings or the foregoing of
                            -4-                LRB9007352EGfg
 1    an increase in earnings by an employee, as distinguished from
 2    noncontributory  coverage or benefits which are paid entirely
 3    by the State of Illinois without reduction  of  the  member's
 4    salary.
 5        (g)  "Department"   means  any  department,  institution,
 6    board, commission, officer, court or any agency of the  State
 7    government  receiving  appropriations  and  having  power  to
 8    certify  payrolls  to the Comptroller authorizing payments of
 9    salary and wages against such appropriations as are  made  by
10    the  General  Assembly  from any State fund, or against trust
11    funds held by the State  Treasurer  and  includes  boards  of
12    trustees of the retirement systems created by Articles 2, 14,
13    15,  16  and  18  of the Illinois Pension Code.  "Department"
14    also includes the  Illinois  Comprehensive  Health  Insurance
15    Board,  the Board of Examiners established under the Illinois
16    Public Accounting Act, and the Illinois Rural Bond Bank.
17        (h)  "Dependent", when the term is used in the context of
18    the health and life plan, means a  member's  spouse  and  any
19    unmarried child (1) from birth to age 19 including an adopted
20    child, a child who lives with the member from the time of the
21    filing  of a petition for adoption until entry of an order of
22    adoption, a stepchild or recognized child who lives with  the
23    member  in  a parent-child relationship, or a child who lives
24    with the member if such member is a court appointed  guardian
25    of  the  child,  or  (2) age 19 to 23 enrolled as a full-time
26    student in any accredited school, financially dependent  upon
27    the  member,  and  eligible as a dependent for Illinois State
28    income tax purposes, or (3) age 19 or over who is mentally or
29    physically handicapped as defined in the  Illinois  Insurance
30    Code.  For  the  health  plan only, the term "dependent" also
31    includes any person enrolled prior to the effective  date  of
32    this  Section  who is dependent upon the member to the extent
33    that the member may claim such  person  as  a  dependent  for
34    Illinois  State  income tax deduction purposes; no other such
                            -5-                LRB9007352EGfg
 1    person may be enrolled.
 2        (i)  "Director"  means  the  Director  of  the   Illinois
 3    Department of Central Management Services.
 4        (j)  "Eligibility  period"  means  the  period  of time a
 5    member has to elect  enrollment  in  programs  or  to  select
 6    benefits without regard to age, sex or health.
 7        (k)  "Employee"   means  and  includes  each  officer  or
 8    employee in the service of a department who (1) receives  his
 9    compensation  for  service  rendered  to  the department on a
10    warrant  issued  pursuant  to  a  payroll  certified   by   a
11    department  or  on  a  warrant or check issued and drawn by a
12    department upon a trust,  federal  or  other  fund  or  on  a
13    warrant  issued pursuant to a payroll certified by an elected
14    or duly appointed  officer  of  the  State  or  who  receives
15    payment  of the performance of personal services on a warrant
16    issued pursuant to a payroll certified by  a  Department  and
17    drawn  by  the  Comptroller  upon the State Treasurer against
18    appropriations made by the General Assembly from any fund  or
19    against  trust  funds held by the State Treasurer, and (2) is
20    employed  full-time  or  part-time  in  a  position  normally
21    requiring actual performance of duty during not less than 1/2
22    of a normal work period, as established by  the  Director  in
23    cooperation with each department, except that persons elected
24    by  popular  vote  will  be  considered  employees during the
25    entire term for which they are elected  regardless  of  hours
26    devoted  to  the  service  of  the State, and (3) except that
27    "employee" does not include any person who is not eligible by
28    reason of such person's employment to participate in  one  of
29    the State retirement systems under Articles 2, 14, 15 (either
30    the  regular  Article  15  system  or the optional retirement
31    program established under Section 15-158.2) or 18,  or  under
32    paragraph  (b)  or  (c)  of  Section  16-106, of the Illinois
33    Pension Code, but such term  does  include  persons  who  are
34    employed  during  the 6 month qualifying period under Article
                            -6-                LRB9007352EGfg
 1    14 of the Illinois Pension Code.  Such term also includes any
 2    person who (1) after January 1, 1966, is  receiving  ordinary
 3    or  accidental  disability  benefits under Articles 2, 14, 15
 4    (including ordinary or accidental disability  benefits  under
 5    the  optional  retirement  program  established under Section
 6    15-158.2), paragraphs  (b)  or  (c)  of  Section  16-106,  or
 7    Article  18  of  the  Illinois  Pension  Code, for disability
 8    incurred after January 1, 1966, (2) receives total  permanent
 9    or total temporary disability under the Workers' Compensation
10    Act  or  Occupational  Disease  Act  as  a result of injuries
11    sustained or illness contracted in the course  of  employment
12    with  the  State of Illinois, or (3) is not otherwise covered
13    under this Act and has  retired  as  a  participating  member
14    under   Article  2  of  the  Illinois  Pension  Code  but  is
15    ineligible for the retirement annuity under Section 2-119  of
16    the  Illinois  Pension Code.  However, a person who satisfies
17    the criteria of the foregoing definition of "employee" except
18    that such person is made ineligible  to  participate  in  the
19    State   Universities  Retirement  System  by  clause  (4)  of
20    subsection (a) of Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code
21    is  also  an  "employee"  for  the  purposes  of  this   Act.
22    "Employee" also includes any person receiving or eligible for
23    benefits under a sick pay plan established in accordance with
24    Section 36 of the State Finance Act. "Employee" also includes
25    each  officer or employee in the service of a qualified local
26    government,  including  persons  appointed  as  trustees   of
27    sanitary districts regardless of hours devoted to the service
28    of the sanitary district, and each employee in the service of
29    a   qualified  rehabilitation  facility  and  each  full-time
30    employee in the service  of  a  qualified  domestic  violence
31    shelter   or   service,  as  determined  according  to  rules
32    promulgated by the Director.
33        (l)  "Member"  means  an  employee,  annuitant,   retired
34    employee or survivor.
                            -7-                LRB9007352EGfg
 1        (m)  "Optional   coverages   or   benefits"  means  those
 2    coverages or benefits available to the member on his  or  her
 3    voluntary election, and at his or her own expense.
 4        (n)  "Program"  means  the  group  life insurance, health
 5    benefits and other employee benefits designed and  contracted
 6    for by the Director under this Act.
 7        (o)  "Health  plan" means a self-insured health insurance
 8    program offered by the State of Illinois for the purposes  of
 9    benefiting  employees  by  means  of providing, among others,
10    wellness programs, utilization reviews, second  opinions  and
11    medical  fee  reviews, as well as for paying for hospital and
12    medical care up to the maximum coverage provided by the plan,
13    to its members and their dependents.
14        (p)  "Retired employee" means any person who would be  an
15    annuitant  as  that  term  is defined herein but for the fact
16    that such person retired prior to January 1, 1966.  Such term
17    also includes any person formerly employed by the  University
18    of Illinois in the Cooperative Extension Service who would be
19    an  annuitant  but  for  the  fact  that such person was made
20    ineligible  to  participate   in   the   State   Universities
21    Retirement  System by clause (4) of subsection (a) of Section
22    15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code.
23        (p-6)  "New SURS retired employee" means a person who, on
24    or after January 1, 1998,  becomes  a  retired  employee,  as
25    defined  in  subsection  (p),  by  virtue  of  being a person
26    formerly employed  by  the  University  of  Illinois  in  the
27    Cooperative  Extension  Service who would be an annuitant but
28    for  the  fact  that  he  or  she  was  made  ineligible   to
29    participate  in  the  State Universities Retirement System by
30    clause (4)  of  subsection  (a)  of  Section  15-107  of  the
31    Illinois  Pension Code, and who is eligible to participate in
32    the basic program  of  group  health  benefits  provided  for
33    retired employees under this Act.
34        (q)  "Survivor"  means a person receiving an annuity as a
                            -8-                LRB9007352EGfg
 1    survivor of an employee or of an annuitant.  "Survivor"  also
 2    includes:  (1)  the  surviving  dependent  of  a  person  who
 3    satisfies  the  definition  of  "employee"  except  that such
 4    person  is  made  ineligible  to  participate  in  the  State
 5    Universities Retirement System by clause  (4)  of  subsection
 6    (a)  of  Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code; and (2)
 7    the surviving dependent of any person  formerly  employed  by
 8    the  University  of  Illinois  in  the  Cooperative Extension
 9    Service who would be an annuitant except for  the  fact  that
10    such  person  was made ineligible to participate in the State
11    Universities Retirement System by clause  (4)  of  subsection
12    (a) of Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code.
13        (q-5)  "New  SERS  survivor" means a survivor, as defined
14    in subsection (q), whose annuity is paid under Article 14  of
15    the Illinois Pension Code and is based on the death of (i) an
16    employee  whose  death occurs on or after January 1, 1998, or
17    (ii) a new SERS annuitant as defined in subsection (b-5).
18        (q-6)  "New SURS survivor" means a survivor,  as  defined
19    in  subsection (q), whose annuity is paid under Article 15 of
20    the Illinois Pension Code and is based on the death of (i) an
21    employee whose death occurs on or after January 1,  1998  and
22    who  first  became  an  employee  under that Article 15 on or
23    after July 7, 1997, or (ii) a new SURS annuitant  as  defined
24    in  subsection (b-6), or (iii) a new SURS retired employee as
25    defined in subsection (p-6).
26        (r)  "Medical  services"  means  the  services   provided
27    within  the  scope  of their licenses by practitioners in all
28    categories licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987.
29        (s)  "Unit  of  local  government"  means   any   county,
30    municipality,  township, school district, special district or
31    other unit, designated as a unit of local government by  law,
32    which  exercises  limited  governmental  powers  or powers in
33    respect to limited governmental subjects, any  not-for-profit
34    association   with   a  membership  that  primarily  includes
                            -9-                LRB9007352EGfg
 1    townships  and  township  officials,  that  has  duties  that
 2    include  provision  of  research  service,  dissemination  of
 3    information, and other acts  for  the  purpose  of  improving
 4    township  government,  and that is funded wholly or partly in
 5    accordance with Section  85-15  of  the  Township  Code;  any
 6    not-for-profit  corporation or association, with a membership
 7    consisting primarily of municipalities, that operates its own
 8    utility   system,   and    provides    research,    training,
 9    dissemination  of  information,  or  other  acts  to  promote
10    cooperation  between  and  among  municipalities that provide
11    utility services and for the advancement  of  the  goals  and
12    purposes  of  its membership; and the Illinois Association of
13    Park Districts.  "Qualified local government" means a unit of
14    local government approved by the Director  and  participating
15    in  a  program  created under subsection (i) of Section 10 of
16    this Act.
17        (t)  "Qualified  rehabilitation   facility"   means   any
18    not-for-profit   organization   that  is  accredited  by  the
19    Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation  Facilities  or
20    certified  by  the Department of Human Services (as successor
21    to  the  Department  of  Mental  Health   and   Developmental
22    Disabilities)   to   provide   services   to   persons   with
23    disabilities  and  which  receives  funds  from  the State of
24    Illinois  for  providing  those  services,  approved  by  the
25    Director  and  participating  in  a  program  created   under
26    subsection (j) of Section 10 of this Act.
27        (u)  "Qualified  domestic  violence  shelter  or service"
28    means any Illinois domestic violence shelter or  service  and
29    its  administrative offices funded by the Department of Human
30    Services (as successor to the Illinois Department  of  Public
31    Aid), approved by the Director and participating in a program
32    created under subsection (k) of Section 10.
33        (v)  "TRS benefit recipient" means a person who:
34             (1)  is  not  a "member" as defined in this Section;
                            -10-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1        and
 2             (2)  is receiving a monthly  benefit  or  retirement
 3        annuity  under  Article  16 of the Illinois Pension Code;
 4        and
 5             (3)  either (i) has at least 8 years  of  creditable
 6        service under Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code, or
 7        (ii) was enrolled in the health insurance program offered
 8        under  that  Article  on January 1, 1996, or (iii) is the
 9        survivor of a benefit recipient who had at least 8  years
10        of  creditable  service  under Article 16 of the Illinois
11        Pension Code or was  enrolled  in  the  health  insurance
12        program  offered under that Article on the effective date
13        of this amendatory Act of 1995, or (iv) is a recipient or
14        survivor of a recipient of  a  disability  benefit  under
15        Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code.
16        (w)  "TRS dependent beneficiary" means a person who:
17             (1)  is  not a "member" or "dependent" as defined in
18        this Section; and
19             (2)  is a TRS benefit recipient's: (A)  spouse,  (B)
20        dependent parent who is receiving at least half of his or
21        her  support  from  the  TRS  benefit  recipient,  or (C)
22        unmarried natural or adopted child who is (i)  under  age
23        19,  or  (ii)  enrolled  as  a  full-time  student  in an
24        accredited school, financially  dependent  upon  the  TRS
25        benefit  recipient,  eligible as a dependent for Illinois
26        State income tax purposes, and either is under age 24  or
27        was,  on  January  1,  1996, participating as a dependent
28        beneficiary in the health insurance program offered under
29        Article 16 of the Illinois Pension Code, or (iii) age  19
30        or  over  who  is  mentally  or physically handicapped as
31        defined in the Illinois Insurance Code.
32        (x)  "Military leave with pay  and  benefits"  refers  to
33    individuals  in basic training for reserves, special/advanced
34    training, annual training, emergency call up,  or  activation
                            -11-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    by  the  President of the United States with approved pay and
 2    benefits.
 3        (y)  "Military leave without pay and benefits" refers  to
 4    individuals who enlist for active duty in a regular component
 5    of  the  U.S.  Armed  Forces  or  other duty not specified or
 6    authorized under military leave with pay and benefits.
 7        (z)  "Community college benefit recipient" means a person
 8    who:
 9             (1)  is not a "member" as defined in  this  Section;
10        and
11             (2)  is  receiving  a  monthly survivor's annuity or
12        retirement annuity  under  Article  15  of  the  Illinois
13        Pension Code; and
14             (3)  either  (i)  was  a  full-time  employee  of  a
15        community college district or an association of community
16        college boards created under the Public Community College
17        Act  (other  than  an  employee whose last employer under
18        Article 15 of the Illinois Pension Code was  a  community
19        college  district  subject  to  Article VII of the Public
20        Community College Act) and was eligible to participate in
21        a group health benefit plan as  an  employee  during  the
22        time  of  employment  with  a  community college district
23        (other than  a  community  college  district  subject  to
24        Article  VII  of  the Public Community College Act) or an
25        association of community college boards, or (ii)  is  the
26        survivor of a person described in item (i).
27        (aa)  "Community  college  dependent beneficiary" means a
28    person who:
29             (1)  is not a "member" or "dependent" as defined  in
30        this Section; and
31             (2)  is a community college benefit recipient's: (A)
32        spouse,  (B)  dependent  parent who is receiving at least
33        half of his or her support  from  the  community  college
34        benefit  recipient,  or  (C) unmarried natural or adopted
                            -12-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1        child who is (i) under age 19,  or  (ii)  enrolled  as  a
 2        full-time  student  in  an accredited school, financially
 3        dependent upon the community college  benefit  recipient,
 4        eligible  as  a  dependent  for Illinois State income tax
 5        purposes and under age 23, or (iii) age 19  or  over  and
 6        mentally  or  physically  handicapped  as  defined in the
 7        Illinois Insurance Code.
 8    (Source: P.A.  89-21,  eff.  6-21-95;  89-25,  eff.  6-21-95;
 9    89-76,  eff.  7-1-95;  89-324,  eff.  8-13-95;  89-430,  eff.
10    12-15-95;  89-502,  eff. 7-1-96; 89-507, eff. 7-1-97; 89-628,
11    eff. 8-9-96; 90-14, eff. 7-1-97; 90-65, eff. 7-7-97;  90-448,
12    eff.  8-16-97;  90-497,  eff.  8-18-97; 90-511, eff. 8-22-97;
13    revised 10-13-97.)
14        (5 ILCS 375/10) (from Ch. 127, par. 530)
15        Sec. 10. Payments by State; premiums.
16        (a)  The   State   shall   pay   the   cost   of    basic
17    non-contributory  group life insurance and, subject to member
18    paid contributions set by the Department or required by  this
19    Section,  the  basic program of group health benefits on each
20    eligible member, except a member, not  otherwise  covered  by
21    this  Act,  who  has  retired as a participating member under
22    Article 2 of the Illinois Pension Code but is ineligible  for
23    the  retirement  annuity  under Section 2-119 of the Illinois
24    Pension Code, and part of each eligible member's and  retired
25    member's  premiums for health insurance coverage for enrolled
26    dependents as provided by Section 9.  The State shall pay the
27    cost of the basic program of group health benefits only after
28    benefits are reduced by the amount  of  benefits  covered  by
29    Medicare  for all retired members and retired dependents aged
30    65 years or older who are entitled to benefits  under  Social
31    Security  or  the  Railroad  Retirement  system  or  who  had
32    sufficient Medicare-covered government employment except that
33    such  reduction in benefits shall apply only to those retired
                            -13-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    members or retired dependents who (1) first  become  eligible
 2    for  such  Medicare coverage on or after July 1, 1992; or (2)
 3    remain eligible for, but no longer receive Medicare  coverage
 4    which  they  had been receiving on or after July 1, 1992. The
 5    Department may determine the aggregate level of  the  State's
 6    contribution  on the basis of actual cost of medical services
 7    adjusted for age, sex  or  geographic  or  other  demographic
 8    characteristics which affect the costs of such programs.
 9        (a-1)  Beginning  January  1,  1998,  for each person who
10    becomes a new SERS annuitant and participates  in  the  basic
11    program  of group health benefits, the State shall contribute
12    toward the cost of the annuitant's coverage under  the  basic
13    program  of  group  health  benefits an amount equal to 5% of
14    that cost for each full year of creditable service upon which
15    the annuitant's retirement annuity is based, up to a  maximum
16    of  100% for an annuitant with 20 or more years of creditable
17    service.  The remainder of the cost of a new SERS annuitant's
18    coverage under the basic program  of  group  health  benefits
19    shall be the responsibility of the annuitant.
20        (a-2)  Beginning  January  1,  1998,  for each person who
21    becomes a new SERS survivor and  participates  in  the  basic
22    program  of group health benefits, the State shall contribute
23    toward the cost of the survivor's coverage  under  the  basic
24    program  of  group  health  benefits an amount equal to 5% of
25    that cost for each full year of the  deceased  employee's  or
26    deceased   annuitant's   creditable   service  in  the  State
27    Employees' Retirement System  of  Illinois  on  the  date  of
28    death,  up to a maximum of 100% for a survivor of an employee
29    or annuitant with 20 or more  years  of  creditable  service.
30    The remainder of the cost of the new SERS survivor's coverage
31    under the basic program of group health benefits shall be the
32    responsibility of the survivor.
33        (a-3)  Beginning  January  1,  1998,  for each person who
34    becomes a new SURS annuitant and participates  in  the  basic
                            -14-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    program  of group health benefits, the State shall contribute
 2    toward the cost of the annuitant's coverage under  the  basic
 3    program  of  group  health  benefits an amount equal to 5% of
 4    that cost for each full year of creditable service upon which
 5    the annuitant's retirement annuity is based, up to a  maximum
 6    of  100% for an annuitant with 20 or more years of creditable
 7    service.  The remainder of the cost of a new SURS annuitant's
 8    coverage under the basic program  of  group  health  benefits
 9    shall be the responsibility of the annuitant.
10        (a-4)  (Blank).  Beginning  January  1,  1998,  for  each
11    person   who   becomes   a  new  SURS  retired  employee  and
12    participates in the basic program of group  health  benefits,
13    the  State  shall  contribute  toward the cost of the retired
14    employee's coverage under the basic program of  group  health
15    benefits  an  amount  equal  to 5% of that cost for each full
16    year that the retired employee was an employee as defined  in
17    Section 3, up to a maximum of 100% for a retired employee who
18    was  an  employee for 20 or more years.  The remainder of the
19    cost of a new SURS  retired  employee's  coverage  under  the
20    basic   program   of  group  health  benefits  shall  be  the
21    responsibility of the retired employee.
22        (a-5)  Beginning January 1, 1998,  for  each  person  who
23    becomes  a  new  SURS  survivor and participates in the basic
24    program of group health benefits, the State shall  contribute
25    toward  the  cost  of the survivor's coverage under the basic
26    program of group health benefits an amount  equal  to  5%  of
27    that  cost  for  each full year of the deceased employee's or
28    deceased  annuitant's  creditable  service   in   the   State
29    Universities  Employees' Retirement System of Illinois on the
30    date of death, up to a maximum of 100% for a survivor  of  an
31    employee  or  annuitant  with  20 or more years of creditable
32    service.   The  remainder  of  the  cost  of  the  new   SURS
33    survivor's  coverage  under the basic program of group health
34    benefits shall be the responsibility of the survivor.
                            -15-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1        (a-6)  A new SERS annuitant, new SERS survivor, new  SURS
 2    annuitant,  new  SURS  retired employee, or new SURS survivor
 3    may waive or terminate  coverage  in  the  program  of  group
 4    health benefits.  Any such annuitant or, survivor, or retired
 5    employee  who has waived or terminated coverage may enroll or
 6    re-enroll in the program of group health benefits only during
 7    the annual  benefit  choice  period,  as  determined  by  the
 8    Director; except that in the event of termination of coverage
 9    due to nonpayment of premiums, the annuitant or, survivor, or
10    retired employee may not re-enroll in the program.
11        (a-7)  No  later  than  May  1 of each calendar year, the
12    Director of Central  Management  Services  shall  certify  in
13    writing  to  the  Executive Secretary of the State Employee's
14    Retirement System the  amounts  of  the  Medicare  supplement
15    health  care  premiums  and  the  amounts  of the health care
16    premiums  for  all  other  retirees  who  are  not   Medicare
17    eligible.
18        A  separate  calculation  of  the premiums based upon the
19    actual cost of each health care plan shall be so certified.
20        The Director of Central Management Services shall provide
21    to the Executive Secretary of the State Employee's Retirement
22    System such information, statistics, and other data as he  or
23    she   he/she  may  require  to  review  the  premium  amounts
24    certified by the Director of Central Management Services.
25        (b)  State employees who become eligible for this program
26    on or after January 1, 1980 in positions, normally  requiring
27    actual performance of duty not less than 1/2 of a normal work
28    period  but  not equal to that of a normal work period, shall
29    be  given  the  option  of  participating  in  the  available
30    program. If the employee elects  coverage,  the  State  shall
31    contribute  on  behalf  of  such  employee to the cost of the
32    employee's benefit and any applicable  dependent  supplement,
33    that  sum  which bears the same percentage as that percentage
34    of time the employee regularly works when compared to  normal
                            -16-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    work period.
 2        (c)  The  basic  non-contributory coverage from the basic
 3    program of group health benefits shall be continued for  each
 4    employee  not in pay status or on active service by reason of
 5    (1) leave of absence due to illness or injury, (2) authorized
 6    educational leave of absence  or  sabbatical  leave,  or  (3)
 7    military  leave  with  pay  and benefits. This coverage shall
 8    continue until expiration of authorized leave and  return  to
 9    active  service, but not to exceed 24 months for leaves under
10    item (1) or (2). This 24-month limitation and the requirement
11    of returning to active service shall  not  apply  to  persons
12    receiving  ordinary  or  accidental  disability  benefits  or
13    retirement  benefits through the appropriate State retirement
14    system  or  benefits  under  the  Workers'  Compensation   or
15    Occupational Disease Act.
16        (d)  The   basic  group  life  insurance  coverage  shall
17    continue, with full State contribution, where such person  is
18    (1)  absent  from  active  service  by  reason  of disability
19    arising from any cause  other  than  self-inflicted,  (2)  on
20    authorized  educational leave of absence or sabbatical leave,
21    or (3) on military leave with pay and benefits.
22        (e)  Where the person is in non-pay status for  a  period
23    in  excess  of  30 days or on leave of absence, other than by
24    reason of disability, educational  or  sabbatical  leave,  or
25    military  leave  with  pay  and  benefits,  such  person  may
26    continue  coverage  only  by making personal payment equal to
27    the amount normally contributed by the State on such person's
28    behalf. Such payments and  coverage  may  be  continued:  (1)
29    until  such  time  as the person returns to a status eligible
30    for coverage at State expense, but not to exceed  24  months,
31    (2)  until  such person's employment or annuitant status with
32    the State is terminated, or (3) for a  maximum  period  of  4
33    years for members on military leave with pay and benefits and
34    military  leave  without  pay  and benefits (exclusive of any
                            -17-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    additional service imposed pursuant to law).
 2        (f)  The Department shall  establish by rule  the  extent
 3    to which other employee benefits will continue for persons in
 4    non-pay status or who are not in active service.
 5        (g)  The  State  shall  not  pay  the  cost  of the basic
 6    non-contributory group  life  insurance,  program  of  health
 7    benefits  and  other  employee  benefits  for members who are
 8    survivors as defined by paragraphs (1) and (2) of  subsection
 9    (q)  of  Section  3  of  this Act.  The costs of benefits for
10    these survivors shall be paid by  the  survivors  or  by  the
11    University  of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, or any
12    combination thereof.
13        (h)  Those   persons   occupying   positions   with   any
14    department as a result of emergency appointments pursuant  to
15    Section  8b.8  of  the  Personnel Code who are not considered
16    employees under  this  Act  shall  be  given  the  option  of
17    participating in the programs of group life insurance, health
18    benefits  and other employee benefits.  Such persons electing
19    coverage may participate only by making payment equal to  the
20    amount  normally  contributed  by  the  State  for  similarly
21    situated  employees.  Such amounts shall be determined by the
22    Director.  Such payments and coverage may be continued  until
23    such  time as the person becomes an employee pursuant to this
24    Act or such person's appointment is terminated.
25        (i)  Any unit of local government  within  the  State  of
26    Illinois  may  apply  to  the Director to have its employees,
27    annuitants,  and  their  dependents  provided  group   health
28    coverage   under   this  Act  on  a  non-insured  basis.   To
29    participate, a unit of local government must agree to  enroll
30    all  of  its  employees, who may select coverage under either
31    the State group health insurance plan or a health maintenance
32    organization  that  has  contracted  with  the  State  to  be
33    available as a health care provider for employees as  defined
34    in  this  Act.   A  unit  of  local government must remit the
                            -18-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    entire cost of  providing  coverage  under  the  State  group
 2    health  insurance  plan  or,  for  coverage  under  a  health
 3    maintenance   organization,   an  amount  determined  by  the
 4    Director based on an analysis of  the  sex,  age,  geographic
 5    location,  or  other  relevant  demographic variables for its
 6    employees, except that the unit of local government shall not
 7    be required to enroll those of its employees who are  covered
 8    spouses or dependents under this plan or another group policy
 9    or   plan  providing  health  benefits  as  long  as  (1)  an
10    appropriate  official  from  the  unit  of  local  government
11    attests that each employee not enrolled is a  covered  spouse
12    or dependent under this plan or another group policy or plan,
13    and  (2)  at  least 85% of the employees are enrolled and the
14    unit of local government remits the entire cost of  providing
15    coverage  to  those  employees.  Employees of a participating
16    unit of local government who are not enrolled due to coverage
17    under another group health policy or plan  may  enroll  at  a
18    later  date subject to submission of satisfactory evidence of
19    insurability and provided that no benefits shall  be  payable
20    for  services  incurred during the first 6 months of coverage
21    to the extent  the  services  are   in  connection  with  any
22    pre-existing   condition.   A  participating  unit  of  local
23    government may also elect to cover its annuitants.  Dependent
24    coverage shall be offered on  an  optional  basis,  with  the
25    costs paid by the unit of local government, its employees, or
26    some  combination  of  the  two  as determined by the unit of
27    local government.  The unit  of  local  government  shall  be
28    responsible   for   timely  collection  and  transmission  of
29    dependent premiums.
30        The Director shall annually determine  monthly  rates  of
31    payment, subject to the following constraints:
32             (1)  In  the first year of coverage, the rates shall
33        be  equal  to  the  amount  normally  charged  to   State
34        employees  for elected optional coverages or for enrolled
                            -19-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1        dependents coverages or other contributory coverages,  or
 2        contributed by the State for basic insurance coverages on
 3        behalf of its employees, adjusted for differences between
 4        State  employees and employees of the local government in
 5        age,  sex,  geographic   location   or   other   relevant
 6        demographic  variables,  plus an amount sufficient to pay
 7        for the  additional  administrative  costs  of  providing
 8        coverage to employees of the unit of local government and
 9        their dependents.
10             (2)  In subsequent years, a further adjustment shall
11        be  made  to  reflect  the  actual  prior  years'  claims
12        experience   of  the  employees  of  the  unit  of  local
13        government.
14        In the case of coverage  of  local  government  employees
15    under  a  health maintenance organization, the Director shall
16    annually determine  for  each  participating  unit  of  local
17    government the maximum monthly amount the unit may contribute
18    toward  that  coverage,  based on an analysis of (i) the age,
19    sex, geographic  location,  and  other  relevant  demographic
20    variables  of the unit's employees and (ii) the cost to cover
21    those employees under the State group health insurance  plan.
22    The  Director  may  similarly  determine  the maximum monthly
23    amount each unit of local government  may  contribute  toward
24    coverage   of   its  employees'  dependents  under  a  health
25    maintenance organization.
26        Monthly payments by the unit of local government  or  its
27    employees  for  group  health insurance or health maintenance
28    organization  coverage  shall  be  deposited  in  the   Local
29    Government   Health   Insurance   Reserve  Fund.   The  Local
30    Government  Health  Insurance  Reserve  Fund   shall   be   a
31    continuing  fund not subject to fiscal year limitations.  All
32    expenditures from this fund shall be used  for  payments  for
33    health  care benefits for local government and rehabilitation
34    facility  employees,  annuitants,  and  dependents,  and   to
                            -20-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    reimburse   the  Department  or  its  administrative  service
 2    organization for all expenses incurred in the  administration
 3    of  benefits.   No  other  State  funds may be used for these
 4    purposes.
 5        A local government employer's participation or desire  to
 6    participate  in a program created under this subsection shall
 7    not  limit  that  employer's  duty  to   bargain   with   the
 8    representative  of  any  collective  bargaining  unit  of its
 9    employees.
10        (j)  Any rehabilitation  facility  within  the  State  of
11    Illinois  may  apply  to  the Director to have its employees,
12    annuitants,  and  their  dependents  provided  group   health
13    coverage   under   this   Act  on  a  non-insured  basis.  To
14    participate, a rehabilitation facility must agree  to  enroll
15    all  of  its employees and remit the entire cost of providing
16    such  coverage   for   its   employees,   except   that   the
17    rehabilitation facility shall not be required to enroll those
18    of  its employees who are covered spouses or dependents under
19    this plan or another group policy or  plan  providing  health
20    benefits  as  long  as  (1)  an appropriate official from the
21    rehabilitation  facility  attests  that  each  employee   not
22    enrolled  is a covered spouse or dependent under this plan or
23    another group policy or plan, and (2) at  least  85%  of  the
24    employees are enrolled and the rehabilitation facility remits
25    the  entire  cost  of  providing coverage to those employees.
26    Employees of a participating rehabilitation facility who  are
27    not  enrolled  due  to  coverage  under  another group health
28    policy or  plan  may  enroll  at  a  later  date  subject  to
29    submission  of  satisfactory  evidence  of  insurability  and
30    provided  that  no  benefits  shall  be  payable for services
31    incurred during the first 6 months of coverage to the  extent
32    the   services   are  in  connection  with  any  pre-existing
33    condition. A participating rehabilitation facility  may  also
34    elect  to  cover  its annuitants. Dependent coverage shall be
                            -21-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    offered on an optional basis, with  the  costs  paid  by  the
 2    rehabilitation  facility,  its employees, or some combination
 3    of the 2 as determined by the  rehabilitation  facility.  The
 4    rehabilitation  facility  shall  be  responsible  for  timely
 5    collection and transmission of dependent premiums.
 6        The  Director shall annually determine quarterly rates of
 7    payment, subject to the following constraints:
 8             (1)  In the first year of coverage, the rates  shall
 9        be   equal  to  the  amount  normally  charged  to  State
10        employees for elected optional coverages or for  enrolled
11        dependents  coverages  or other contributory coverages on
12        behalf of its employees, adjusted for differences between
13        State  employees  and  employees  of  the  rehabilitation
14        facility  in  age,  sex,  geographic  location  or  other
15        relevant demographic variables, plus an amount sufficient
16        to  pay  for  the  additional  administrative  costs   of
17        providing  coverage  to  employees  of the rehabilitation
18        facility and their dependents.
19             (2)  In subsequent years, a further adjustment shall
20        be  made  to  reflect  the  actual  prior  years'  claims
21        experience  of  the  employees  of   the   rehabilitation
22        facility.
23        Monthly  payments  by  the rehabilitation facility or its
24    employees for group health insurance shall  be  deposited  in
25    the Local Government Health Insurance Reserve Fund.
26        (k)  Any  domestic violence shelter or service within the
27    State of Illinois may apply  to  the  Director  to  have  its
28    employees,  annuitants,  and  their dependents provided group
29    health coverage under this Act on a  non-insured  basis.   To
30    participate,  a  domestic  violence  shelter  or service must
31    agree to enroll all of its employees and pay the entire  cost
32    of   providing   such   coverage   for   its   employees.   A
33    participating domestic violence shelter  may  also  elect  to
34    cover its annuitants.  Dependent coverage shall be offered on
                            -22-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    an optional basis, with employees, or some combination of the
 2    2  as determined by the domestic violence shelter or service.
 3    The domestic violence shelter or service shall be responsible
 4    for timely collection and transmission of dependent premiums.
 5        The Director shall annually determine quarterly rates  of
 6    payment, subject to the following constraints:
 7             (1)  In  the first year of coverage, the rates shall
 8        be  equal  to  the  amount  normally  charged  to   State
 9        employees  for elected optional coverages or for enrolled
10        dependents coverages or other contributory  coverages  on
11        behalf of its employees, adjusted for differences between
12        State  employees  and  employees of the domestic violence
13        shelter or service in age, sex,  geographic  location  or
14        other  relevant  demographic  variables,  plus  an amount
15        sufficient to pay for the additional administrative costs
16        of  providing  coverage  to  employees  of  the  domestic
17        violence shelter or service and their dependents.
18             (2)  In subsequent years, a further adjustment shall
19        be  made  to  reflect  the  actual  prior  years'  claims
20        experience of the  employees  of  the  domestic  violence
21        shelter or service.
22             (3)  In  no  case  shall  the  rate be less than the
23        amount normally charged to State employees or contributed
24        by the State on behalf of its employees.
25        Monthly payments by  the  domestic  violence  shelter  or
26    service  or its employees for group health insurance shall be
27    deposited in the Local Government  Health  Insurance  Reserve
28    Fund.
29        (l)  A  public  community  college  or  entity  organized
30    pursuant to the Public Community College Act may apply to the
31    Director  initially to have only annuitants not covered prior
32    to July 1, 1992 by the district's health plan provided health
33    coverage  under  this  Act  on  a  non-insured  basis.    The
34    community   college   must   execute  a  2-year  contract  to
                            -23-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    participate in  the  Local  Government  Health  Plan.   Those
 2    annuitants  enrolled initially under this contract shall have
 3    no benefits payable for services incurred during the first  6
 4    months  of  coverage  to  the  extent  the  services  are  in
 5    connection  with  any  pre-existing condition.  Any annuitant
 6    who may enroll after this initial enrollment period shall  be
 7    subject   to   submission   of   satisfactory   evidence   of
 8    insurability and to the pre-existing conditions limitation.
 9        The  Director  shall  annually determine monthly rates of
10    payment subject to  the  following  constraints:   for  those
11    community  colleges with annuitants only enrolled, first year
12    rates shall be equal to the average cost to cover claims  for
13    a   State   member   adjusted   for   demographics,  Medicare
14    participation, and other factors; and in the second  year,  a
15    further  adjustment  of  rates  shall  be made to reflect the
16    actual  first  year's  claims  experience  of   the   covered
17    annuitants.
18        (m)  The  Director shall adopt any rules deemed necessary
19    for implementation of this amendatory Act of 1989 (Public Act
20    86-978).
21    (Source:  P.A.  89-53,  eff.  7-1-95;  89-236,  eff.  8-4-95;
22    89-324,  eff.  8-13-95;  89-626,  eff.  8-9-96;  90-65,  eff.
23    7-7-97.)
24        Section 10. The  Illinois  Pension  Code  is  amended  by
25    adding Section 15-135.1 as follows:
26        (40 ILCS 5/15-135.1 new)
27        Sec.  15-135.1.  Election  to  avoid  application of P.A.
28    90-65.
29        (a)  A participant who was an employee on or before  July
30    7,  1997 and retires on or after January 1, 1998 may elect in
31    writing at the time of  retirement  to  have  the  retirement
32    annuity  calculated  in  accordance  with  the  provisions of
                            -24-               LRB9007352EGfg
 1    Sections 15-135 and 15-136 as they existed immediately  prior
 2    to  amendment by Public Act 90-65.  This election, once made,
 3    is irrevocable.
 4        (b)  The System shall promptly notify the  Department  of
 5    Central  Management Services of each election made under this
 6    Section.
 7        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  upon
 8    becoming law.

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