Pending Legislation

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Restricts participation in the General Assembly Retirement System to persons who became participants before the effective date. Provides separate benefits for persons who, on or after 6 months after the effective date, first become participants or members under the State Universities or Downstate Teachers Article or a noncovered participant under the State Employees Article. Requires those retirement systems to establish a defined contribution plan for certain members. In the IMRF, Chicago Municipal, Cook County, Cook County Forest Preserve, Chicago Laborers, Chicago Park District, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and Chicago Teachers Articles, establishes similar benefits if the governing body of the unit of local government adopts those benefits by resolution or ordinance. In the State Employee, State Universities, and Downstate Teachers Articles, requires those Systems to offer certain inactive members the opportunity to elect to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment equal to 70% of the net present value of their pension benefits in lieu of receiving any pension benefit. In the 5 State-funded retirement systems and the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, makes funding changes. In the State Universities and Downstate Teachers Articles, shifts certain costs to the local employer. In the Chicago Teachers Article, requires the State to contribute $215,200,000 for fiscal year 2017 and provides a continuing appropriation from the Common School Fund for that contribution. Amends the Budget Stabilization Act. Provides for the transfer of certain amounts from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Stabilization Fund. Makes other changes.

Legislation Which Has Been Proposed During the 100th Legislative Session (2017-2018). (Click here for 2017) (See the Archives for 2009-2016 Legislation)
Bill	Sponsor	Status (Click for Committee Members)	Date of Last Action	Proposed Action
HJRCA0018##	Sosnowski + 7 others	In House Rules Committee	1/27/17	Proposes to amend the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Constitution. Repeals a provision that specifies that membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof shall be an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired. Effective upon being declared adopted. (OPPOSED)
Legislation which has been introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives in 2017
HB0287	Olsen + 7 others	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that each property tax bill shall contain a separate statement for each of the taxing districts setting forth the dollar amount of tax due that will be used by the taxing district to pick up or otherwise pay its employees' contributions to a public pension fund. Provides that each taxing district that picks up or otherwise pays its employees' contributions to a public pension fund must certify this information to the county clerk on or before the last Tuesday in December.
HB0350	McSweeney + 6 others	Third Reading- Passed House (108-0) Third Reading- Passed Senate (54-0) In House for Concurance of Senate Amendments	5/29/17	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides for the forfeiture of benefits for any person who otherwise would receive a survivor benefit who is convicted of any felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with the service of the member from whom the benefit results. Provides that all participants entering service after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be deemed to have consented to that provision. Provides that the changes under the amendatory Act shall not impair any contract or vested right acquired by a survivor before the effective date of the amendatory Act. See Also SB0896 (IN FAVOR)
HB0669	Morrison	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes units of local government to provide alternative retirement plans in lieu of or in addition to the existing plan under the applicable Article. Provides that the alternative retirement plan may include a defined-benefit component, a defined contribution component, or both, and may include disability or survivor benefits and any other benefits that are permitted under federal law. Provides that the alternative retirement plan is not required to provide any minimum level of benefits and need not provide any benefits at all, other than mandatory Social Security coverage if applicable. Provides that service credit received under an alternative retirement plan may not be transferred to any other fund and may not be used under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code). Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that employers shall not be required to bargain over the changes made by the amendatory Act. (OPPOSED)
HB2712	Nekritz	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning Chicago teachers. (Monitor)
HB2750	Evans	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Amends the School Code. In a provision (added by Public Act 99-521) authorizing a separate tax to be levied by the Chicago Board of Education for the purpose of making an employer contribution to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago, requires the tax to be levied annually at the full 0.383% rate beginning in tax year 2017. Changes a provision relating to certification of the tax rate to apply to tax year 2017 rather than 2016. (Monitor)
HB2902	Fortner	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Creates the Pension Buyout Act. Authorizes the Department of Central Management Services to enter into contracts with approved vendors to provide pension buyout payments to eligible retirees in the State Universities and Downstate Teachers Articles. Requires the Illinois Finance Authority to issue bonds if the amount appropriated to implement the pension buyout option is less than the amount necessary for the Department to pay the approved vendor the amount required under a contract between the Department and the approved vendor for any fiscal year. Amends the State Universities and Downstate Teachers Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an eligible retiree may relinquish his or her right to receive any benefits from the System in exchange for a lump sum payment made by an approved vendor that is equal to the present value of the retirement annuity. (OPPOSED)
HB2903	Fortner	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Creates the Pension Buyout Act. Authorizes the Department of Central Management Services to enter into contracts with approved vendors to provide pension buyout payments to eligible persons in the State Universities and Downstate Teachers Articles. Requires the Illinois Finance Authority to issue bonds if the amount appropriated to implement the pension buyout option is less than the amount necessary for the Department to pay the approved vendor the amount required under a contract between the Department and the approved vendor for any fiscal year. Amends the State Universities and Downstate Teachers Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an eligible person may relinquish his or her right to receive any benefits from the System in exchange for a lump sum payment made by an approved vendor that is equal to the present value of the retirement annuity. (OPPOSED)
HB2948	Davis	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning in State fiscal year 2018, the State shall make annual contributions to the Chicago Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund. Provides that for State fiscal year 2018, the contribution shall be $456,500,000 and that for each year thereafter, the Board of Trustees of the Fund shall certify to the Governor by January 15th the amount of the required State contribution to the Fund for the coming fiscal year. Requires the certified contribution to be equal to 10% of the contribution certified by the board of trustees of the downstate teachers retirement system for the coming fiscal year. Effective immediately. (IN FAVOR)
HB3055#	Harris	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In the case of individuals, trusts, and estates, provides that a deduction for certain retirement income is limited to (i) $75,000 if the taxpayer or beneficiary is younger than 65 years of age during the taxable year or (ii) $100,000 if the taxpayer or beneficiary is 65 years of age or older during the taxable year (including the taxable year in which the beneficiary turns 65 years of age).
HB3069	Morrison	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes units of local government to provide alternative retirement plans in lieu of or in addition to the existing plan under the applicable Article. Provides that the alternative retirement plan may include a defined-benefit component, a defined contribution component, or both, and may include disability or survivor benefits and any other benefits that are permitted under federal law. Provides that the alternative retirement plan is not required to provide any minimum level of benefits and need not provide any benefits at all, other than mandatory Social Security coverage if applicable. Provides that service credit received under an alternative retirement plan may not be transferred to any other fund and may not be used under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code). Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that employers shall not be required to bargain over the changes made by the amendatory Act. (Monitor)
HB3071#	Martwick + 2 others	In House Rules Committee	4/28/17	Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Adds a pensioner member to the Board of Trustees and makes corresponding changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. See SB1354 (IN FAVOR)
HB3140#	Harris	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	In the case of individuals, trusts, and estates, provides that a deduction for certain retirement income is not allowed if (i) in the case of a taxpayer who is younger than 65 years of age during the taxable year, the taxpayer's adjusted gross income is $80,000 or more and (ii) in the case of a taxpayer who is 65 years of age or older during the taxable year (including a taxpayer who turns 65 years of age during the taxable year), the taxpayer's adjusted gross income is $100,000 or more.
HB3220	Nekritz	In House Rules Committee	4/28/17	Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Specifies that certain excess municipal contributions may be used only for reducing the amount that the city would otherwise be required to contribute for duty disability, occupational disease, or the administrative costs of the fund. (Monitor)
HB3707	Jesiel	In House Rules Committee	3/31/17	Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the General Assembly Retirement System to establish a self-directed retirement plan. Provides that for persons who become a participant on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, participation in the System shall be limited to participation in the self-directed retirement plan. Allows a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant to make an irrevocable election to participate in the self-directed retirement plan instead of the defined benefit plan. Makes changes to the pensionable salary for active participants. Provides that upon a participant's first day of participation in the self-directed retirement plan, the participant becomes vested in his or her contributions to the self-directed retirement plan, the employer's contributions to the self-directed retirement plan, and the investment returns attributable to those contributions credited to his or her account. See SB0363. (Monitor)
HB4001	Davis	In House Rules Committee	3/7/17	Appropriates $11,692,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago for the State's contribution for retirement contributions under a specified provision of the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. Effective July 1, 2017. (IN FAVOR)
HB4027	Durkin + 25 others	On House Calendar for 3rd Reading Final action extended to June 30, 2017	5/31/17	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. In Articles 2, 14, 15, 16, and 17, requires active Tier 1 employees to elect either (i) to have automatic annual increases in retirement and survivor's annuities delayed and reduced or (ii) to maintain current benefits except for additional limits on pensionable salary; provides additional benefits to persons electing item (i). Makes funding changes, including shifting certain costs to employers under Articles 15 and 16. Restricts participation in the General Assembly Retirement System to persons who became participants before the effective date. In Articles 14, 15, and 16, requires those Systems to offer an optional accelerated benefit payment to certain members in lieu of receiving a pension. Provides separate benefits for certain persons who become participants under Article 14, 15, or 16. Requires those retirement systems to establish a defined contribution plan for certain members; in Articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 17, establishes similar benefits if the governing body of the unit of local government adopts those benefits. In Article 17, requires the State to contribute $215,200,000 for fiscal year 2017. (Monitor)
Legislation which has been introduced in the Illinois Senate in 2017
SB0001#	Manar + 12 others	Passed Senate (See vote) Passed House (See vote) Sent to Governor	5/31/17	House Ammendment 2 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause with provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Removes changes in the Chicago Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Makes various changes to the calculation of funding received under the Evidence-Based Funding Model; including changes to definitions and funding to be included in the Base Funding Minimum. NOTE: SB 1 contains approximately $300 million for CPS (not specifically earmarked for CTPF in the bill.) SB 1 does address the issue of State pension parity for Chicago teachers’ pensions.
SB0005##	Cullerton + 1 other	Third Reading- Passed (See Vote) Motion to Reconsider. Placed on calendar for 3rd Reading Deadline Established as May 31, 2017	5/17/17	Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the State to contribute to the Fund $215,200,000 for fiscal year 2017 and $221,300,000 for fiscal year 2018; includes provisions for certifications and monthly payments by voucher. Provides that beginning in fiscal year 2019, the State shall contribute an amount equal to the employer normal cost for that fiscal year. Amends the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act. Provides for a continuing appropriation to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago, on a continuing monthly basis, of the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other State appropriations to that Retirement Fund for the payment of certain State contributions is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the Fund for that month under applicable provisions of the Illinois Pension Code. Effective immediately, but this Act does not take effect at all unless Senate Bills 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the 100th General Assembly become law. (IN FAVOR)
SB0011	Cullerton +1 other	Third reading - lost (See vote)	2/8/17	Amends the General Assembly, State Universities, Downstate Teacher, and Chicago Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires active Tier 1 employees to elect either to (i) have automatic annual increases in retirement annuity delayed and reduced or (ii) maintain the current benefit package with additional limitations on pensionable salary. Provides that a Tier 1 employee who elects item (i) is entitled to have future increases in income treated as pensionable income, have contributions reduced to a specified rate, and receive a consideration payment of 10% of contributions made prior to the election. Provides that a Tier 1 employee who elects item (ii) is not eligible to have future increases in income treated as pensionable income. Effective immediately, but this Act does not take effect at all unless Senate Bills 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the 100th General Assembly become law. (OPPOSED)
SB0016	Cullerton	Passed Senate (See Vote) In House Rules Committee	5/31/17	Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the General Assembly, State Employee, State Universities, Downstate Teacher, and Chicago Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires active Tier 1 employees to elect either to (i) have automatic annual increases in retirement and survivor's annuities delayed and reduced or (ii) maintain the current benefit package with additional limitations on pensionable salary. Provides that a Tier 1 employee who elects item (i) is entitled to have future increases in income treated as pensionable income, have contributions reduced to a specified rate, and receive a consideration payment of 10% of contributions made prior to the election. Provides that a Tier 1 employee who elects item (ii) is not eligible to have future increases in income treated as pensionable income. Requires each affected retirement system to establish a defined contribution plan for certain members or participants. In the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), Chicago Municipal, Cook County, Cook County Forest Preserve, Chicago Laborers, Chicago Park District, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and Chicago Teachers Articles, establishes similar benefits if the governing body of the unit of local government adopts those benefits by resolution or ordinance. Effective immediately, but this Act does not take effect at all unless Senate Bills 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the 100th General Assembly become law. (OPPOSED)
SB0363	Morrison	Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee	4/27/17	Amends the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning appropriations from the State Pensions Fund. See HB3707. (Monitor)
SB0651	Connelly	In Assignments Committee	3/17/17	Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Requires the Auditor General to conduct a financial audit, a compliance audit, or other attestation engagement, as is appropriate to the agency's operations under generally accepted government auditing standards, of the Chicago school district at least once during every biennium. Amends the School Code. Requires the board of education of the Chicago school district to cooperate fully with the Auditor General and to be subject to any compliance requirements as required of any other State agency during the biennial audit.
SB0729	Lightford	In Assignments Committee	5/5/17	Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning in State fiscal year 2018, the State shall make annual contributions to the Chicago Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund. Provides that for State fiscal year 2018, the contribution shall be $456,500,000 and that for each year thereafter, the Board of Trustees of the Fund shall certify to the Governor by January 15th the amount of the required State contribution to the Fund for the coming fiscal year. Requires the certified contribution to be equal to 10% of the contribution certified by the board of trustees of the downstate teachers retirement system for the coming fiscal year. (IN FAVOR)
SB0779	Biss + 1 other	Passed Senate (See Vote) Re-Referred to House Rules Committee	5/31/17	Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code in relation to investment transparency. Defines terms. Provides that within 90 days after entering into a new agreement to invest in an alternative investment fund, a public retirement system must disclose certain specified provisions of the agreement. Provides that a public retirement system shall require its alternative investment fund external managers and general partners to make certain annual disclosures concerning certain fees and expenses, in regard to each alternative investment fund. Provides that supplying a public retirement system with a completed reporting template developed by the Institutional Limited Partners Association constitutes compliance with certain reporting requirements. Declares the disclosures to be public records and requires their publication on the public retirement system's website. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make a conforming change. (IN FAVOR)
SB0896	Althoff	Passed Senate (57-0) In House Rules Committee	4/2717	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides for the forfeiture of benefits for any person who otherwise would receive a survivor benefit who is convicted of any felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with the service of the member from whom the benefit results. Provides that all participants entering service after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be deemed to have consented to that provision. Provides that the changes under the amendatory Act shall not impair any contract or vested right acquired by a survivor before the effective date of the amendatory Act. See HB 350. (IN FAVOR)
SB1243	Jones	In Assignments Committee	2/7/17	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning Chicago teachers. (Monitor)
SB1354#	Hastings +3 others	Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2017	4/28/17	Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Adds a pensioner member to the Board of Trustees and makes corresponding changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. See HB3071 (IN FAVOR)
SB1570	Martinez + 2 others	3rd Reading	5/31/17	Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision that requires Employers to submit payroll records and pension contributions within 30 calendar days after each predesignated payday and establishes penalties for delinquent submissions, requires the Fund to provide a written notice of delinquency to an Employer within 10 business days of the Fund's discovery of any payroll record that is not timely certified or submitted or any incomplete pension contribution. Prohibits the Fund from administering certain penalties if the Fund fails to provide the written notice of delinquency. Provides that an Employer that provides necessary corrections to a payroll record or makes the required contribution within 12 months after receipt of the notice of delinquency shall not be subject to certain penalties. Makes changes to an exception to the mandatory penalty for delinquent payments. Provides that any penalties that are outstanding on the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be waived if the Employer makes the necessary corrections or amendments to the required payroll records or submits the required contribution. (OPPOSED)
SB1839	Cunningham (Senate) Phelps (House)	Passed Senate (53-0) Passed House (See Vote) As of 6/8 has, not been sent to the Governor	5/31/17	BEWARE OF BILL TITLE - Check Amendment 5 Adds provisions to the Telecommunications Article concerning the transition of Large Electing Providers to Internet Protocol-based networks and service. Provides that the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program shall provide for a reduction of access line charges, a reduction of connection charges, or any other alternative assistance or program to increase accessibility to telephone service and broadband Internet access service. (Removes Land-Line phone service.)
SB2169	Steans	In Assignments Committee	3/1/17	Appropriates $11,692,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago for the State's contribution for retirement contributions under a specified provision of the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. Effective July 1, 2017. (IN FAVOR)
SB2172	Connelly + 5 more	In Assignments Committee	4/7/17	Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Restricts participation in the General Assembly Retirement System to persons who became participants before the effective date. Provides separate benefits for persons who, on or after 6 months after the effective date, first become participants or members under the State Universities or Downstate Teachers Article or a noncovered participant under the State Employees Article. Requires those retirement systems to establish a defined contribution plan for certain members. In the IMRF, Chicago Municipal, Cook County, Cook County Forest Preserve, Chicago Laborers, Chicago Park District, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and Chicago Teachers Articles, establishes similar benefits if the governing body of the unit of local government adopts those benefits by resolution or ordinance. In the State Employee, State Universities, and Downstate Teachers Articles, requires those Systems to offer certain inactive members the opportunity to elect to receive an accelerated pension benefit payment equal to 70% of the net present value of their pension benefits in lieu of receiving any pension benefit. In the 5 State-funded retirement systems and the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, makes funding changes. In the State Universities and Downstate Teachers Articles, shifts certain costs to the local employer. In the Chicago Teachers Article, requires the State to contribute $215,200,000 for fiscal year 2017 and provides a continuing appropriation from the Common School Fund for that contribution. Amends the Budget Stabilization Act. Provides for the transfer of certain amounts from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Stabilization Fund. Makes other changes. (Monitor)
SB2173	Connelly + 4 more	In Assignments Committee	4/7/17	Amends the General Assembly, State Employee, State Universities, Downstate Teacher, and Chicago Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires active Tier 1 employees to elect either to (i) have automatic annual increases in retirement and survivor's annuities delayed and reduced or (ii) maintain their current benefit package with additional limitations on pensionable salary. Provides that a Tier 1 employee who elects item (i) is entitled to have future increases in income treated as pensionable income, have contributions reduced to a specified rate, and receive a consideration payment of 10% of contributions made prior to the election. Provides that a Tier 1 employee who elects item (ii) is not eligible to have future increases in income treated as pensionable income. Makes funding changes. Amends the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act to provide a continuing appropriation for the amounts of the consideration payments. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act to prohibit bargaining and interest arbitration regarding certain changes made by the amendatory Act and to provide that no action of the employer taken to implement that prohibition shall give rise to an unfair labor practice under those Acts; exempts certain existing agreements. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Makes other changes. (OPPOSED)
SB2181	Brady + 1 other	In Assignments Committee	3/28/17	Creates the FY2017 and FY2018 Budget Implementation Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to make the changes in State programs that are necessary to implement the Governor's FY2017 and FY2018 budget recommendations. Effective immediately, but specified provisions do not take effect at all unless Senate Bill 9 of the 100th General Assembly becomes law. (Monitor)

**See these Archives for legislative actions prior to the 100th Legislative Session.**