Judges Retirement System Of Illinois

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(40 ILCS 5/Art. 18 heading)

ARTICLE 18. JUDGES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF ILLINOIS

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-101) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-101)

Sec. 18-101. Creation of fund. A retirement system is created to be known as the "Judges Retirement System of Illinois". It shall be a trust separate and distinct from all other entities, maintained for the purpose of securing the payment of annuities and benefits as prescribed herein.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-102) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-102)

Sec. 18-102. Purpose.

The purpose of the system is to establish an efficient method of permitting retirement, without hardship or prejudice, of judges who are aged or otherwise incapacitated, by enabling them to accumulate reserves for themselves and their dependents for old age, disability, death, and termination of employment.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-103) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-103)

Sec. 18-103. Terms defined. The terms used in this Article shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Sections 18-104 through 18-118, except when the context otherwise requires.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-104) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-104)

Sec. 18-104. Effective date.

"Effective date": July 1, 1941.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-105) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-105)

Sec. 18-105. System.

"System": The Judges Retirement System of Illinois.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-106) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-106)

Sec. 18-106. Board.

"Board": The Board of Trustees of the Judges Retirement System of Illinois.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-107) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-107)

Sec. 18-107. Employer. "Employer": The State, and any county as authorized by law, certifying payments of salary for, or paying salary to, any judge of the Supreme Court, Appellate Court and Circuit Court.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-108) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-108)

Sec. 18-108. Judge. "Judge": Any person who receives payment for personal services as a judge or associate judge of a court; and any person, previously a participant, who receives payment for personal services as the administrative director appointed by the Supreme Court.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-109) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-109)

Sec. 18-109. Eligible judge. "Eligible judge": Any judge except one who has elected not to participate in this system.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-110) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-110)

Sec. 18-110. Participant. "Participant": Any judge participating in this system as specified in Sections 18-120 and 18-121.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-111) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-111)

Sec. 18-111. Salary. "Salary": The total compensation paid for personal services as a judge, by the State, or by the State and a county as authorized by law. However, in the event that federal law results in any judge receiving imputed income based on the value of group term life insurance provided by the State, such imputed income shall not be included in salary for the purposes of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 86-273.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-112) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-112)

Sec. 18-112. Service. "Service": The period beginning on the day a person first became a judge, whether prior or subsequent to the effective date, and ending on the date under consideration, excluding all intervening periods during which he or she was not a judge following resignation or expiration of any term of election or appointment.

Service also includes the following: (a) Any period prior to January 1, 1964 during which a judge served as a justice of the peace, police magistrate or master in chancery, or as a civil referee, commissioner or trial assistant to the chief judge in the Municipal Court of Chicago, or performed judicial duties as an assistant to the judge of the Probate Court of Cook County. A judge shall be entitled to credit for all or as much as the judge may desire of such service, not exceeding 8 years, upon payment of the participant's contribution covering such service at the contribution rates in effect on July 1, 1969, together with interest at 4% per annum compounded annually, from the dates the service was rendered to the date of payment, provided credit for such service had not been granted in any public pension fund or retirement system in the State. The required contributions shall be based upon the rate of salary in effect for the judge on the date he or she entered the system or on January 1, 1964, whichever is later.

(b) Service rendered after January 1, 1964, as a holdover magistrate or master in chancery of the Circuit Court. A judge shall be entitled to credit for any period of such service, not exceeding a total of 8 years, together with the period of service taken into account in paragraph (a). Service credit under this paragraph is subject to the same contribution requirements and other limitations that are prescribed for service credit under paragraph (a).

(c) Any period that a participant served as a member of the General Assembly, subject to the following conditions:

(1) He or she has been a participant in this system for at least 4 years and has contributed to the system for service rendered as a member of the General Assembly subsequent to November 1, 1941, at the contribution rates in effect for a judge on the date of becoming a participant, including interest at 3% per annum compounded annually from the date such service was rendered to the date of payment, based on the salary in effect during such period of service; and

(2) The participant is not entitled to credit for such service in any other public retirement system in the State.

(d) Any period a participant served as a judge or commissioner of the Court of Claims of this State after November 1, 1941, provided he or she contributes to the system at the contribution rates in effect on the date of becoming a participant, based on salary received during such service, including interest at 3% per annum compounded annually from the date such service was rendered to the date of payment.

(e) Any period that a participant served as State's Attorney or Public Defender of any county of this State, subject to the following conditions: (1) such service was not credited under any public pension fund or retirement system; (2) the maximum service to be credited in this system shall be 8 years; (3) the participant must have at least 6 years of service as a judge and as a participant of this system; and (4) the participant has made contributions to the system for such service at the contribution rates in effect on the date of becoming a participant in this system based upon the salary of the judge on such date, including interest at 4% per annum compounded annually from such date to the date of payment.

A judge who terminated service before January 26, 1988 and whose retirement annuity began after January 1, 1988 may establish credit for service as a Public Defender in accordance with the other provisions of this subsection by making application and paying the required contributions to the Board not later than 30 days after August 23, 1989. In such cases, the Board shall recalculate the retirement annuity, effective on the first day of the next calendar month beginning at least 30 days after the application is received.

(f) Any period as a participating policeman, employee or teacher under Article 5, 14 or 16 of this Code, subject to the following conditions: (1) the credits accrued under Article 5, 14 or 16 have been transferred to this system; and (2) the participant has contributed to the system an amount equal to (A) contributions at the rate in effect for participants at the date of membership in this system based upon the salary of the judge on such date, (B) the employer's share of the normal cost under this system for each year that credit is being established, based on the salary in effect at the date of membership in this system, and (C) interest at 6% per annum, compounded annually, from the date of membership to the date of payment; less (D) the amount transferred on behalf of the participant from Article 5, 14 or 16.

(g) Any period that a participant served as the Administrative Director of the Circuit Court of Cook County, as Executive Director of the Home Rule Commission, as assistant corporation counsel in the Chicago Law Department, or as an employee of the Cook County Treasurer, subject to the following conditions: (1) the maximum amount of such service which may be credited is 10 years; (2) in order to qualify for such credit in this system, a judge must have at least 6 years of service as a judge and participant of this system; (3) the last 6 years of service credited in this system shall be as a judge and a participant in this system; (4) credits accrued to the participant under any other public pension fund or public retirement system in the State, if any, by reason of the service to be established under this paragraph (g) has been transferred to this system; and (5) the participant has contributed to this system the amount, if any, by which the amount transferred pursuant to subdivision (4) of this paragraph, if any, is less than the amount which the participant would have contributed to the system during the period of time being counted as service under this paragraph had the participant been a judge participating in this system during that time, based on the rate of contribution in effect and the salary earned by the participant on the date he or she became a participant, with interest accruing on such deficiency at a rate of 5% per annum from the date he or she became a participant through the date on which such deficiency is paid.

(h) Any period that a participant served as a full-time attorney employed by the Chicago Transit Authority created by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, subject to the following conditions: (1) any credit received for such service in the pension fund established under Section 22-101 has been terminated; (2) the maximum amount of such service to be credited in this system shall be 10 years; (3) the participant must have at least 6 years of service as a judge and as a participant of this system; and (4) the participant has made contributions to the system for such service at the contribution rates in effect on the date of becoming a participant in this system based upon the salary of the judge on such date, including interest at 5% per annum compounded annually from such date to the date of payment.

(i) Any period during which a participant received temporary total disability benefit payments, as provided in Section 18-126.1.

Service during a fraction of a month shall be considered a month of service, but no more than one month of service shall be credited for all service during any calendar month.

(Source: P.A. 86-272; 86-273; 86-1028; 87-1265.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-112.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-112.1)

Sec. 18-112.1. (a) An active member of the General Assembly Retirement System may apply for transfer of his or her credits and creditable service under this system to the General Assembly Retirement System. Payment by this system to the General Assembly Retirement System shall be made at the same time as the transfer of credits and shall consist of:

(1) the amounts credited to the applicant, through employee contributions, including interest if applicable, on the date of transfer; and

(2) employer contributions equal to the accumulated employee contributions as determined under clause (1) above.

Participation in this system shall terminate on the date of transfer.

(b) An active member of the General Assembly may reinstate service credits terminated upon receipt of a refund by repaying to the system the amount of the refund together with interest thereon, to the date of payment.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-112.2) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-112.2)

Sec. 18-112.2. Transfer of creditable service to Article 8, 9 or 13 Fund.

(a) Any city officer as defined in Section 8-243.2 of this Code, any county officer elected by vote of the people who is a participant in the pension fund established under Article 9 of this Code, and any elected sanitary district commissioner who is a participant in a pension fund established under Article 13 of this Code, may apply for transfer of his or her credits and creditable service accumulated under this System to such Article 8, 9 or 13 fund. Such creditable service shall be transferred forthwith. Payment by this System to the Article 8, 9 or 13 fund shall be made at the same time, and shall consist of:

  • (1) the amounts credited to the applicant through employee contributions, including interest if applicable, on the date of transfer; and
  • (2) employer contributions equal to the accumulated employee contributions as determined under clause (1) above.

Participation in this System shall terminate on the date of transfer.

(b) Any such elected city officer, county officer or sanitary district commissioner may reinstate credits and creditable service terminated upon receipt of a refund, by repaying to the System the amount of the refund together with interest thereon to the date of payment.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-112.3) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-112.3)

Sec. 18-112.3. (a) Persons otherwise required or eligible to participate in this System who elect to continue participation in the General Assembly System under Section 2-117.1 may not participate in this System for the duration of such continued participation under Section 2-117.1.

(b) Upon terminating such continued participation, a person may transfer credits and creditable service accumulated under Section 2-117.1 to this System, upon payment to this System of the amount by which (1) the employer and employee contributions that would have been required if he had participated in this System during the period for which credit under Section 2-117.1 is being transferred, plus regular interest thereon at the prescribed rate from the date of such participation to the date of payment, exceeds (2) the amounts actually transferred under that Section to this System.

(Source: P.A. 86-272.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-112.4) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-112.4)

Sec. 18-112.4. Service credit for elected or appointed village official. An active participant in this System who has at least 6 years of service as a judge and as a participant of this System on August 23, 1989, and who has no creditable service as a participating employee under Article 7 of this Code, may establish service credit in this System: (i) for periods during which the participant held elective office as a member of the board of trustees of a village, and (ii) for any consecutive period not exceeding 5 years during which the participant held appointive office as a member of the zoning board of appeals of the same village in which the participant later held elective office as village trustee, provided such period of appointive office terminated within 12 months prior to the date such period of elective office commenced.

Service credit in this System may be established pursuant to this Section only if the participant did not contribute to the retirement and benefit fund established under Article 7 of this Code for the service sought to be established by the participant in this System, and only if the participant has no equity or rights in that fund because of such service.

Credit for such service may be established in this System by the participant paying to this System an amount equal to (1) contributions at the rate in effect for a judge on the date of becoming a participant in this System multiplied by the salary of the judge on such date for each year of service for which credit is being established, plus (2) the employer's share of the normal cost of benefits under this System, expressed as a percent of payroll, as determined by the System's actuary as of the date of the participant's membership in the System, multiplied by the salary of the judge on such date for each year of service for which credit is being established, plus (3) interest on (1) and (2) above at 6% per annum compounded annually from the date of membership to the date of payment by the participant.

(Source: P.A. 86-273; 86-1028.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-112.5) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-112.5)

Sec. 18-112.5. Payments and Rollovers.

(a) The Board may adopt rules prescribing the manner of repaying refunds and purchasing any optional credits permitted under this Article. The rules may prescribe the manner of calculating interest when such payments or repayments are made in installments.

(b) Rollover contributions from other retirement plans qualified under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code may be used to purchase any optional credit or repay any refund permitted under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 86-1488.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-112.6)

Sec. 18-112.6. Service credit for member of educational board. Until July 1, 1998, an active participant in this System who has at least 6 years of service as a judge may establish up to 2 years of service credit in this System for a period during which the participant held elective office as a member of a board of education in this State or a member of the board of trustees of a community college district in this State, by applying to the Board in writing and paying to the System an amount equal to (1) employee contributions based on the rate in effect for a judge on the date of becoming a participant in this System and the salary received by the judge on that date, plus (2) the employer's share of the normal cost of the benefits being established, plus (3) interest thereon at the prescribed rate, compounded annually, from the date of membership to the date of payment. However, credit may not be established under this Section for any period for which the judge has received credit under any other pension fund or retirement system subject to this Code, unless that credit has been terminated.

(Source: P.A. 90-448, eff. 8-16-97.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-113) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-113)

Sec. 18-113. Annuity. "Annuity": A series of monthly payments payable at the end of each calendar month during the life of an annuitant or as otherwise provided in this Article. The first payment shall be prorated for any fraction of a month elapsing to the end of the first month and the last payment shall be made for the whole calendar month in which death occurs.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-114) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-114)

Sec. 18-114. Annuitant. "Annuitant": A person receiving a retirement annuity or survivor's annuity.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-115) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-115)

Sec. 18-115. Beneficiary. "Beneficiary": A surviving spouse or children eligible for an annuity; or, if no eligible surviving spouse or children survives, the person or persons designated by the participant or annuitant in the last written designation on file with the Board; or, if no person so designated survives, or if no designation is on file, the estate of the participant or annuitant. If a special needs trust as described in Section 1396p(d)(4) of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, has been established for a disabled child, then the special needs trust may stand in lieu of the disabled adult child as a beneficiary for the purposes of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-116) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-116)

Sec. 18-116. Actuarial tables. "Actuarial tables": Such tabular listings of assumed rates of death, disability, retirement and withdrawal from service and mathematical functions derived from such rates combined with an assumed rate of interest, based upon the experience of the system, as adopted by the board upon recommendation by the actuary.

The adopted actuarial tables shall be used to determine the amount of all benefits under this Article, including any optional forms of benefits. Optional forms of benefits must be the actuarial equivalent of the normal benefit payable under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 98-1117, eff. 8-26-14.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-117) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-117)

Sec. 18-117. Prescribed rate of interest. "Prescribed rate of interest": 4% per annum compounded annually, or such other rate prescribed by the board based on expected long term investment returns and the experience of the system.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-118) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-118)

Sec. 18-118. Fiscal year.

"Fiscal year": The period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 of the succeeding year.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-119) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-119)

Sec. 18-119. Employer participation.

Each employer is subject to the provisions of this system beginning on the effective date or the date of subsequent qualification as an employer.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-120) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-120)

Sec. 18-120. Employee participation. An eligible judge who is not a participant shall become a participant beginning on the date he or she becomes an eligible judge, unless the judge files with the board a written notice of election not to participate within 30 days of the date of being notified of the option.

A person electing not to participate shall thereafter be ineligible to become a participant unless the election is revoked as provided in Section 18-121.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-120.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-120.1)

Sec. 18-120.1. Gender. The masculine gender whenever used in this Article includes the feminine gender unless manifestly inconsistent with the context.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-121) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-121)

Sec. 18-121. Recision of election not to participate. A judge who filed a notice of election not to participate shall become a participant upon filing with the board before July 1, 1992, a written recision of such notice. The recision shall state that such person is then a judge, his or her present age, and previous records of service as a judge. After 3 years of service as a participant, the judge may obtain credit for all service as a judge prior to the date of participation by paying into the system the contributions that he or she would have made as a participant at the rates in effect during such service, together with interest at the rate of 4% per annum compounded annually from the date the contributions would have been due to the date of payment. Upon compliance, he or she shall receive credit for all service rendered as a judge prior to the date of becoming a participant. The time and manner of making such additional contributions, including interest, shall be prescribed by the board.

Except as otherwise provided, a judge becoming a participant by a recision of an election not to participate, shall be governed by the provisions of this Article in effect on the date of the recision.

(Source: P.A. 87-794.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-122) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-122)

Sec. 18-122. Participation; military service. Participation shall continue until the date a participant becomes an annuitant, dies, or accepts a refund.

Participation shall not cease during any period an eligible judge is serving with the military or naval forces of the United States while the United States is engaged in any war or for one year after such war, if the judge makes contributions, together with any interest payments which might be required, for delayed contribution payments.

A participant may also apply for creditable service for up to 2 years of military service that need not have followed service as a judge and need not have been served during wartime. However, for this military service not immediately following employment as a judge, the applicant must make contributions to the System (1) at the rates provided in Section 18-133 based upon the judge's rate of compensation on the last date as a participating judge prior to such military service, or on the first date as a participating judge after such military service, whichever is greater, plus (2) if payment is made on or after May 1, 1993, an amount determined by the Board to be equal to the employer's normal cost of the benefits accrued for such military service, plus (3) interest at the effective rate from the date of first membership in the System to the date of payment.

The amendment to this Section made by this amendatory Act of 1993 shall apply to persons who are active contributors to the System on or after November 30, 1992. A person who was an active contributor to the System on November 30, 1992 but is no longer an active contributor may apply to purchase military credit not immediately following employment as a judge within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1993; if the person is an annuitant, the resulting increase in annuity shall begin to accrue on the first day of the month following the month in which the required payment is received by the System. The change in the required contribution for purchased military credit made by this amendatory Act of 1993 shall not entitle any person to a refund of contributions already paid.

(Source: P.A. 87-794; 87-1265; 88-45.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-123) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-123)

Sec. 18-123. Participation in survivor's annuity. A participant in active service as a judge after July 26, 1949, is eligible to participate in the survivor's annuity provided under this Article. A married participant who was in service on July 27, 1949 is subject to the provisions relating to survivor's annuities unless he or she filed with the Board written notice not to participate in such annuity within 30 days of that date.

A married judge who becomes a participant after July 27, 1949, an unmarried judge who becomes a participant after December 31, 1992, and a judge who marries after becoming a participant shall be subject to the provisions relating to survivor's annuities unless he or she files with the Board written notice of his or her election not to participate in the survivor's annuity within 30 days of the date of being notified of the option by the System. Once the election period has expired, a judge may not withdraw from participation under this Section except as provided in Section 18-129.

A person who became a participant before January 1, 1997 and who is not contributing for survivor's annuity may elect to make contributions for survivor's annuity by filing written notice of the election with the Board no later than April 1, 1998. Such an election may not be rescinded. A person who has so elected shall be entitled only to partial credit for survivor's annuity under subsection (g) of Section 18-129 unless all of the payments required under subsection (f) of that Section have been made.

A married participant who elects not to participate in the survivor's annuity provisions shall thereafter be ineligible to participate in the survivor's annuity unless the election is rescinded as provided herein.

A married participant who elected not to participate in the survivor's annuity provisions and who is still a judge, may elect to participate therein by filing with the Board before April 1, 1998 a written recision of the election not to participate. The participant and his or her spouse shall be entitled to all the rights of the survivor's annuity, except as limited in Section 18-129, upon paying the System for the survivor's annuity 1 1/2% of each payment of salary earned between July 27, 1949 and July 12, 1953, and 2 1/2% of each payment of salary earned after July 12, 1953, together with interest at 4% per annum, compounded annually from the date the contributions would have been due to the date of payment. The time and manner of paying the required contributions and interest shall be prescribed by the Board.

(Source: P.A. 90-507, eff. 8-22-97.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-123.2) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-123.2)

Sec. 18-123.2. Annuities to survivors of male and female participants. All provisions of this Article relating to annuities and benefits to a surviving spouse, minor children or other survivors of participants shall apply with equal force to male and female participants without any distinction whatsoever.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-124) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-124)

Sec. 18-124. Retirement annuities - conditions for eligibility.

(a) This subsection (a) applies to a participant who first serves as a judge before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

A participant whose employment as a judge is terminated, regardless of age or cause is entitled to a retirement annuity beginning on the date specified in a written application subject to the following:

  • (1) the date the annuity begins is subsequent to the date of final termination of employment, or the date 30 days prior to the receipt of the application by the board for annuities based on disability, or one year before the receipt of the application by the board for annuities based on attained age;
  • (2) the participant is at least age 55, or has become permanently disabled and as a consequence is unable to perform the duties of his or her office;
  • (3) the participant has at least 10 years of service credit except that a participant terminating service after June 30 1975, with at least 6 years of service credit, shall be entitled to a retirement annuity at age 62 or over;
  • (4) the participant is not receiving or entitled to receive, at the date of retirement, any salary from an employer for service currently performed.

(b) This subsection (b) applies to a participant who first serves as a judge on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

A participant who has at least 8 years of creditable service is entitled to a retirement annuity when he or she has attained age 67.

A member who has attained age 62 and has at least 8 years of service credit may elect to receive the lower retirement annuity provided in subsection (d) of Section 18-125 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-125) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-125)

Sec. 18-125. Retirement annuity amount.

(a) The annual retirement annuity for a participant who terminated service as a judge prior to July 1, 1971 shall be based on the law in effect at the time of termination of service.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (b-5), effective July 1, 1971, the retirement annuity for any participant in service on or after such date shall be 3 1/2% of final average salary, as defined in this Section, for each of the first 10 years of service, and 5% of such final average salary for each year of service in excess of 10.

For purposes of this Section, final average salary for a participant who first serves as a judge before August 10, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-207) shall be:

  • (1) the average salary for the last 4 years of credited service as a judge for a participant who terminates service before July 1, 1975.
  • (2) for a participant who terminates service after June 30, 1975 and before July 1, 1982, the salary on the last day of employment as a judge.
  • (3) for any participant who terminates service after June 30, 1982 and before January 1, 1990, the average salary for the final year of service as a judge.
  • (4) for a participant who terminates service on or after January 1, 1990 but before July 14, 1995 (the effective date of Public Act 89-136), the salary on the last day of employment as a judge.
  • (5) for a participant who terminates service on or after July 14, 1995 (the effective date of Public Act 89-136), the salary on the last day of employment as a judge, or the highest salary received by the participant for employment as a judge in a position held by the participant for at least 4 consecutive years, whichever is greater.

However, in the case of a participant who elects to discontinue contributions as provided in subdivision (a)(2) of Section 18-133, the time of such election shall be considered the last day of employment in the determination of final average salary under this subsection.

For a participant who first serves as a judge on or after August 10, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-207) and before January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889), final average salary shall be the average monthly salary obtained by dividing the total salary of the participant during the period of: (1) the 48 consecutive months of service within the last 120 months of service in which the total compensation was the highest, or (2) the total period of service, if less than 48 months, by the number of months of service in that period.

The maximum retirement annuity for any participant shall be 85% of final average salary.

(b-5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, for a participant who first serves as a judge on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889), the annual retirement annuity is 3% of the participant's final average salary for each year of service. The maximum retirement annuity payable shall be 60% of the participant's final average salary.

For a participant who first serves as a judge on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889), final average salary shall be the average monthly salary obtained by dividing the total salary of the judge during the 96 consecutive months of service within the last 120 months of service in which the total salary was the highest by the number of months of service in that period; however, beginning January 1, 2011, the annual salary may not exceed $106,800, except that that amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount, including all previous adjustments, or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1. "Consumer price index-u" means the index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor that measures the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by all urban consumers, United States city average, all items, 1982-84 = 100. The new amount resulting from each annual adjustment shall be determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance and made available to the Board by November 1st of each year.

(c) The retirement annuity for a participant who retires prior to age 60 with less than 28 years of service in the System shall be reduced 1/2 of 1% for each month that the participant's age is under 60 years at the time the annuity commences. However, for a participant who retires on or after December 10, 1999 (the effective date of Public Act 91-653), the percentage reduction in retirement annuity imposed under this subsection shall be reduced by 5/12 of 1% for every month of service in this System in excess of 20 years, and therefore a participant with at least 26 years of service in this System may retire at age 55 without any reduction in annuity.

The reduction in retirement annuity imposed by this subsection shall not apply in the case of retirement on account of disability.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, for a participant who first serves as a judge on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) and who is retiring after attaining age 62, the retirement annuity shall be reduced by 1/2 of 1% for each month that the participant's age is under age 67 at the time the annuity commences.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-125.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-125.1)

Sec. 18-125.1. Automatic increase in retirement annuity. A participant who retires from service after June 30, 1969, shall, in January of the year next following the year in which the first anniversary of retirement occurs, and in January of each year thereafter, have the amount of his or her originally granted retirement annuity increased as follows: for each year up to and including 1971, 1 1/2%; for each year from 1972 through 1979 inclusive, 2%; and for 1980 and each year thereafter, 3%.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, a retirement annuity for a participant who first serves as a judge on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) shall be increased in January of the year next following the year in which the first anniversary of retirement occurs, but in no event prior to age 67, and in January of each year thereafter, by an amount equal to 3% or the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index-u as determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance under subsection (b-5) of Section 18-125, whichever is less, of the retirement annuity then being paid.

This Section is not applicable to a participant who retires before he or she has made contributions at the rate prescribed in Section 18-133 for automatic increases for not less than the equivalent of one full year, unless such a participant arranges to pay the system the amount required to bring the total contributions for the automatic increase to the equivalent of one year's contribution based upon his or her last year's salary.

This Section is applicable to all participants in service after June 30, 1969 unless a participant has elected, prior to September 1, 1969, in a written direction filed with the board not to be subject to the provisions of this Section. Any participant in service on or after July 1, 1992 shall have the option of electing prior to April 1, 1993, in a written direction filed with the board, to be covered by the provisions of the 1969 amendatory Act. Such participant shall be required to make the aforesaid additional contributions with compound interest at 4% per annum.

Any participant who has become eligible to receive the maximum rate of annuity and who resumes service as a judge after receiving a retirement annuity under this Article shall have the amount of his or her retirement annuity increased by 3% of the originally granted annuity amount for each year of such resumed service, beginning in January of the year next following the date of such resumed service, upon subsequent termination of such resumed service.

Beginning January 1, 1990, all automatic annual increases payable under this Section shall be calculated as a percentage of the total annuity payable at the time of the increase, including previous increases granted under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-126) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-126)

Sec. 18-126. Retirement annuity for permanent disability-determination of disability. A participant shall be considered permanently disabled only if (1) disability occurs while in employment as a judge and is of such a nature as to prevent the participant from reasonably performing the duties of his or her office at the time, and (2) the board has received a written certificate by at least 2 licensed and practicing physicians appointed by it stating that the participant is disabled and that the disability is likely to be permanent.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-126.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-126.1)

Sec. 18-126.1. Temporary total disability. A participant who has served for at least 2 years as a judge and has at least 2 years of service credit shall be entitled to a temporary total disability benefit provided:

(1) While in employment as a judge, the participant is found by medical examination to be mentally or physically incompetent to perform his or her duties;

(2) The participant does not receive or have a right to receive any salary as a judge;

(3) The board has received written certifications by at least 2 licensed and practicing physicians designated by it certifying that the participant is totally disabled and unable to perform the duties of his or her office as a consequence thereof; and

(4) The participant is not engaged in any form of gainful occupation during his or her disability.

The benefit shall begin as of the day following the removal of the judge from the payroll on account of the disability and be payable during the period of disability but not beyond the term of office for which the participant was last elected or appointed.

The benefit shall be 50% of the participant's rate of salary in effect at the date of removal from the payroll and shall be payable monthly.

A participant shall receive service credit for retirement and survivor's annuity purposes for the period that temporary disability benefits are paid.

The board shall prescribe rules and regulations necessary for the administration of this benefit.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-127) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-127)

Sec. 18-127. Retirement annuity - suspension on reemployment.

(a) A participant receiving a retirement annuity who is regularly employed for compensation by an employer other than a county, in any capacity, shall have his or her retirement annuity payments suspended during such employment. Upon termination of such employment, retirement annuity payments at the previous rate shall be resumed.

If such a participant resumes service as a judge, he or she shall receive credit for any additional service. Upon subsequent retirement, his or her retirement annuity shall be the amount previously granted, plus the amount earned by the additional judicial service under the provisions in effect during the period of such additional service. However, if the participant was receiving the maximum rate of annuity at the time of re-employment, he or she may elect, in a written direction filed with the board, not to receive any additional service credit during the period of re-employment. In such case, contributions shall not be required during the period of re-employment. Any such election shall be irrevocable.

(b) Beginning January 1, 1991, any participant receiving a retirement annuity who accepts temporary employment from an employer other than a county for a period not exceeding 75 working days in any calendar year shall not be deemed to be regularly employed for compensation or to have resumed service as a judge for the purposes of this Article. A day shall be considered a working day if the annuitant performs on it any of his duties under the temporary employment agreement.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (a), beginning January 1, 1993, retirement annuities shall not be subject to suspension upon resumption of employment for an employer, and any retirement annuity that is then so suspended shall be reinstated on that date.

(d) The changes made in this Section by this amendatory Act of 1993 shall apply to judges no longer in service on its effective date, as well as to judges serving on or after that date.

(e) A participant receiving a retirement annuity under this Article who serves as a part-time employee in any of the following positions: Legislative Inspector General, Special Legislative Inspector General, employee of the Office of the Legislative Inspector General, Executive Director of the Legislative Ethics Commission, or staff of the Legislative Ethics Commission, but has not elected to participate in the Article 14 System with respect to that service, shall not be deemed to be regularly employed for compensation by an employer other than a county, nor to have resumed service as a judge, on the basis of that service, and the retirement annuity payments and other benefits of that person under this Code shall not be suspended, diminished, or otherwise impaired solely as a consequence of that service. This subsection (e) applies without regard to whether the person is in service as a judge under this Article on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. In this subsection, a "part-time employee" is a person who is not required to work at least 35 hours per week.

(f) A participant receiving a retirement annuity under this Article who has made an election under Section 1-123 and who is serving either as legal counsel in the Office of the Governor or as Chief Deputy Attorney General shall not be deemed to be regularly employed for compensation by an employer other than a county, nor to have resumed service as a judge, on the basis of that service, and the retirement annuity payments and other benefits of that person under this Code shall not be suspended, diminished, or otherwise impaired solely as a consequence of that service. This subsection (f) applies without regard to whether the person is in service as a judge under this Article on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, if a person who first becomes a participant under this System on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly) is receiving a retirement annuity under this Article and becomes a member or participant under this Article or any other Article of this Code and is employed on a full-time basis, then the person's retirement annuity under this System shall be suspended during that employment. Upon termination of that employment, the person's retirement annuity shall resume and, if appropriate, be recalculated under the applicable provisions of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-128) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-128)

Sec. 18-128. Survivor's annuities; Conditions for payment.

(a) A survivor's annuity shall be payable upon the death of a participant while in service after June 30, 1967 if the participant had at least 1 1/2 years of service credit as a judge, or upon death of an inactive participant who had terminated service as a judge on or after June 30, 1967 with at least 10 years of service credit, or upon the death of an annuitant whose retirement becomes effective after June 30, 1967.

(b) The surviving spouse of a deceased participant or annuitant is entitled to a survivor's annuity beginning at the date of death if the surviving spouse (1) has been married to the participant or annuitant for a continuous period of at least one year immediately preceding the date of death, and (2) has attained age 50, or, regardless of age, has in his or her care an eligible child or children of the decedent as provided under subsections (c) and (d) of this Section. If the surviving spouse has no such child in his or her care and has not attained age 50, the survivor's annuity shall begin upon attainment of age 50. When all such children of the deceased who are in the care of the surviving spouse no longer qualify for benefits and the surviving spouse is under 50 years of age, the surviving spouse's annuity shall be suspended until he or she attains age 50.

(c) A child's annuity is payable for an unmarried child of an annuitant or participant so long as the child is (i) under age 18, (ii) under age 22 and a full time student, or (iii) age 18 or over if dependent by reason of physical or mental disability. Disability means inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

(d) (Blank).

(e) Remarriage prior to attainment of age 50 that occurs before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly shall disqualify a surviving spouse for the receipt of a survivor's annuity.

The change made to this subsection by this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly applies without regard to whether the deceased judge was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly.

(f) The changes made in survivor's annuity provisions by Public Act 82-306 shall apply to the survivors of a deceased participant or annuitant whose death occurs on or after August 21, 1981 and whose service as a judge terminates on or after July 1, 1967.

The provision of child's annuities for dependent students under age 22 by this amendatory Act of 1991 shall apply to all eligible students beginning January 1, 1992, without regard to whether the deceased judge was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-279, eff. 1-1-08.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-128.01) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-128.01)

Sec. 18-128.01. Amount of survivor's annuity.

(a) Upon the death of an annuitant, his or her surviving spouse shall be entitled to a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity the annuitant was receiving immediately prior to his or her death, inclusive of annual increases in the retirement annuity to the date of death.

(b) Upon the death of an active participant, his or her surviving spouse shall receive a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity earned by the participant as of the date of his or her death, determined without regard to whether the participant had attained age 60 as of that time, or 7 1/2% of the last salary of the decedent, whichever is greater.

(c) Upon the death of a participant who had terminated service with at least 10 years of service, his or her surviving spouse shall be entitled to a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity earned by the deceased participant at the date of death.

(d) Upon the death of an annuitant, active participant, or participant who had terminated service with at least 10 years of service, each surviving child under the age of 18 or disabled as defined in Section 18-128 shall be entitled to a child's annuity in an amount equal to 5% of the decedent's final salary, not to exceed in total for all such children the greater of 20% of the decedent's last salary or 66 2/3% of the annuity received or earned by the decedent as provided under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. This child's annuity shall be paid whether or not a survivor's annuity was elected under Section 18-123.

(e) The changes made in the survivor's annuity provisions by Public Act 82-306 shall apply to the survivors of a deceased participant or annuitant whose death occurs on or after August 21, 1981.

(f) Beginning January 1, 1990, every survivor's annuity shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, by an amount equal to 3% of the current amount of the annuity, including any previous increases under this Article. Such increases shall apply without regard to whether the deceased member was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991, but shall not accrue for any period prior to January 1, 1990.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the initial survivor's annuity for a survivor of a participant who first serves as a judge after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) shall be in the amount of 66 2/3% of the annuity received or earned by the decedent, and shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased participant died while receiving a retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, but in no event prior to age 67, by an amount equal to 3% or the annual unadjusted percentage increase in the consumer price index-u as determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance under subsection (b-5) of Section 18-125, whichever is less, of the survivor's annuity then being paid.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-128.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-128.1)

Sec. 18-128.1. Limitations. Payment of a widow's or survivor's annuity shall begin to accrue from the date on which salary or annuity payments to or on account of a deceased judge are terminated. Annuity payments to a spouse shall in no event be made for any period of time for which supplementary salary is granted or paid to the spouse following the death of the judge.

(Source: P.A. 83-427.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-128.2) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-128.2)

Sec. 18-128.2. Reduction of disability and survivor's benefits for corresponding benefits payable under Workers' Compensation and Workers' Occupational Diseases Acts. Whenever a person is entitled to a disability or survivor's benefit under this Article and to benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act for the same injury or disease, the benefits payable under this Article shall be reduced by the amount of benefits payable under either of those Acts. There shall be no reduction, however, for payments for medical, surgical and hospital services, non-medical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a religious method of healing recognized by the laws of this State and for artificial appliances, and fixed statutory payments for the loss of or the permanent and complete loss of the use of any bodily member. If the benefits deductible under this Section are stated in a weekly amount, the monthly amount for the purposes of this Section shall be 4 1/3 times the weekly amount.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-128.3) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-128.3)

Sec. 18-128.3. Required distributions.

(a) A person who would be eligible to receive a survivor's annuity under this Article but for the fact that the person has not yet attained age 50, shall be eligible for a monthly distribution under this subsection (a), provided that the payment of such distribution is required by federal law.

The distribution shall become payable on (i) July 1, 1987, (ii) December 1 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the deceased spouse died, or (iii) December 1 of the calendar year in which the deceased spouse would have attained age 72, whichever occurs last, and shall remain payable until the first of the following to occur: (1) the person becomes eligible to receive a survivor's annuity under this Article; (2) the end of the month in which the person ceases to be eligible to receive a survivor's annuity upon attainment of age 50, due to remarriage or death; or (3) the end of the month in which such distribution ceases to be required by federal law.

The amount of the distribution shall be fixed at the time the distribution first becomes payable, and shall be calculated in the same manner as a survivor's annuity under Sections 18-128 through 18-128.2, but excluding: (A) any requirement for an application for the distribution; (B) any automatic annual increases, supplemental increases, or one-time increases that may be provided by law for survivor's annuities; and (C) any lump-sum or death benefit.

(b) For the purpose of this Section, a distribution shall be deemed to be required by federal law if: (1) directly mandated by federal statute, rule, or administrative or court decision; or (2) indirectly mandated through imposition of substantial tax or other penalties for noncompliance.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 1-103.1 of this Code, a member need not be in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989 for the member's surviving spouse to be eligible for a distribution under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-210, eff. 7-30-21.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-129) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-129)

Sec. 18-129. Refund of contributions; repayment.

(a) A participant who ceases to be a judge may, upon application to the Board, receive a refund of his or her total contributions to the System including the contributions made towards the automatic increase in retirement annuity and contributions for the survivor's annuity, without interest, provided he or she is not then immediately eligible to receive a retirement annuity.

Upon receipt of a refund, the applicant shall cease to be a participant and shall thereupon relinquish all rights in the System. However, upon again becoming a participant, the judge shall receive credit for all previous judicial service upon payment to the System of the amount refunded together with interest at 4% per annum from the time of the refund to the date of repayment.

(b) Upon death of a participant who did not become an annuitant, where no spouse or other beneficiaries eligible for an annuity survive, the participant's designated beneficiary or estate shall be entitled to a refund of his or her total contributions to the System, including contributions made towards the automatic increase in retirement annuity and contributions for the survivor's annuity, without interest.

(c) Upon death of an annuitant, where no spouse or other beneficiaries eligible for an annuity survive, the designated beneficiary or estate shall receive a refund of the contributions made for the survivor's annuity, without interest. If the annuitant received annuity payments in the aggregate less than his or her contributions for retirement annuity and the contributions towards the automatic increase in the retirement annuity, the designated beneficiary or estate shall also be refunded the difference between the total of such contributions, excluding interest, and the sum of annuity payments made.

(d) A participant or annuitant whose marriage is terminated by death or dissolution, an unmarried participant, and an annuitant who was not married while he or she was a judge shall, upon application to the Board, receive a refund of his or her contributions for the survivor's annuity, without interest. Upon the issuance of a refund under this subsection, the recipient's credit for survivor's annuity purposes shall terminate and the recipient shall not thereafter make contributions for survivor's annuity, except in accordance with subsection (f) or (g). Upon the death of a participant or annuitant who received such a refund, any eligible children shall nevertheless be entitled to the child's annuities provided in Section 18-128.01.

(e) Upon the death of a surviving spouse who, together with the deceased judge, did not receive annuity payments in the aggregate equal to the judge's total contributions to the System, the estate of the surviving spouse shall be refunded the difference between the total payments and total contributions, excluding interest.

(f) Upon marriage or remarriage, a participant or annuitant shall receive full credit for survivor's annuity purposes upon:

  • (1) in the case of a participant, making the contributions required under Section 18-123 beginning on the date of the marriage or remarriage;
  • (2) repaying in full any survivor's annuity contributions that have been refunded; and
  • (3) making survivor's annuity contributions for the period of participation during which he or she was unmarried, together with interest thereon at 3% per annum.

The time and manner of making such repayments shall be prescribed by the Board.

(g) Upon marriage or remarriage, a participant who does not make the payments required for full survivor's annuity credit under subsection (f) may receive partial credit for survivor's annuity by making survivor's annuity contributions under Section 18-123 beginning on the date of the marriage or remarriage.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the survivor's annuity (but not any child's annuity) payable under this Article on behalf of a deceased person with only partial credit for survivor's annuity shall be reduced by multiplying the amount of the survivor's annuity that would have been payable if the person had full credit by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months of service for which survivor's annuity contributions have been credited in this System, and the denominator of which is the total number of months of service in this System.

(Source: P.A. 90-766, eff. 8-14-98.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-131) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-131)

Sec. 18-131. Financing; employer contributions.

(a) The State of Illinois shall make contributions to this System by appropriations of the amounts which, together with the contributions of participants, net earnings on investments, and other income, will meet the costs of maintaining and administering this System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

(b) The Board shall determine the amount of State contributions required for each fiscal year on the basis of the actuarial tables and other assumptions adopted by the Board and the prescribed rate of interest, using the formula in subsection (c).

(c) For State fiscal years 2012 through 2045, the minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be an amount determined by the System to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the System up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System by the end of State fiscal year 2045. In making these determinations, the required State contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2045 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applies in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter shall be implemented in equal annual amounts over a 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applies to the required State contribution.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applied to the State contribution in fiscal year 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 shall be implemented:

  • (i) as already applied in State fiscal years before 2018; and
  • (ii) in the portion of the 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applied that occurs in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter, by calculating the change in equal annual amounts over that 5-year period and then implementing it at the resulting annual rate in each of the remaining fiscal years in that 5-year period.

For State fiscal years 1996 through 2005, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2006 is $29,189,400.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $35,236,800.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2009, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments from the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007, so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2010 is $78,832,000 and shall be made from the proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2010 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2010, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2011 is the amount recertified by the System on or before April 1, 2011 pursuant to Section 18-140 and shall be made from the proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2011 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2011, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Beginning in State fiscal year 2046, the minimum State contribution for each fiscal year shall be the amount needed to maintain the total assets of the System at 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System.

Amounts received by the System pursuant to Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act or Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act in any fiscal year do not reduce and do not constitute payment of any portion of the minimum State contribution required under this Article in that fiscal year. Such amounts shall not reduce, and shall not be included in the calculation of, the required State contributions under this Article in any future year until the System has reached a funding ratio of at least 90%. A reference in this Article to the "required State contribution" or any substantially similar term does not include or apply to any amounts payable to the System under Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2005 and for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, as calculated under this Section and certified under Section 18-140, shall not exceed an amount equal to (i) the amount of the required State contribution that would have been calculated under this Section for that fiscal year if the System had not received any payments under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, minus (ii) the portion of the State's total debt service payments for that fiscal year on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of that Section 7.2, as determined and certified by the Comptroller, that is the same as the System's portion of the total moneys distributed under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act. In determining this maximum for State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, however, the amount referred to in item (i) shall be increased, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, in equal increments calculated from the sum of the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 plus the applicable portion of the State's total debt service payments for fiscal year 2007 on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, so that, by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

(d) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the System, the value of the System's assets shall be equal to the actuarial value of the System's assets, which shall be calculated as follows:

As of June 30, 2008, the actuarial value of the System's assets shall be equal to the market value of the assets as of that date. In determining the actuarial value of the System's assets for fiscal years after June 30, 2008, any actuarial gains or losses from investment return incurred in a fiscal year shall be recognized in equal annual amounts over the 5-year period following that fiscal year.

(e) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the system for a particular year, the actuarial value of assets shall be assumed to earn a rate of return equal to the system's actuarially assumed rate of return.

(Source: P.A. 100-23, eff. 7-6-17.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-132) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-132)

Sec. 18-132. Obligations of State. The payment of (1) the required State contributions, (2) all benefits granted under this system and (3) all expenses in connection with the administration and operation thereof are the obligations of the State to the extent specified in this Article.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-133) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-133)

Sec. 18-133. Financing; employee contributions.

(a) Effective July 1, 1967, each participant is required to contribute 7 1/2% of each payment of salary toward the retirement annuity. Such contributions shall continue during the entire time the participant is in service, with the following exceptions:

  • (1) Contributions for the retirement annuity are not required on salary received after 18 years of service by persons who were participants before January 2, 1954.
  • (2) A participant who continues to serve as a judge after becoming eligible to receive the maximum rate of annuity may elect, through a written direction filed with the Board, to discontinue contributing to the System. Any such option elected by a judge shall be irrevocable unless prior to January 1, 2000, and while continuing to serve as judge, the judge (A) files with the Board a letter cancelling the direction to discontinue contributing to the System and requesting that such contributing resume, and (B) pays into the System an amount equal to the total of the discontinued contributions plus interest thereon at 5% per annum. Service credits earned in any other "participating system" as defined in Article 20 of this Code shall be considered for purposes of determining a judge's eligibility to discontinue contributions under this subdivision (a)(2).
  • (3) A participant who (i) has attained age 60, (ii) continues to serve as a judge after becoming eligible to receive the maximum rate of annuity, and (iii) has not elected to discontinue contributing to the System under subdivision (a)(2) of this Section (or has revoked any such election) may elect, through a written direction filed with the Board, to make contributions to the System based only on the amount of the increases in salary received by the judge on or after the date of the election, rather than the total salary received. If a judge who is making contributions to the System on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly makes an election to limit contributions under this subdivision (a)(3) within 90 days after that effective date, the election shall be deemed to become effective on that effective date and the judge shall be entitled to receive a refund of any excess contributions paid to the System during that 90-day period; any other election under this subdivision (a)(3) becomes effective on the first of the month following the date of the election. An election to limit contributions under this subdivision (a)(3) is irrevocable. Service credits earned in any other participating system as defined in Article 20 of this Code shall be considered for purposes of determining a judge's eligibility to make an election under this subdivision (a)(3).

(b) Beginning July 1, 1969, each participant is required to contribute 1% of each payment of salary towards the automatic increase in annuity provided in Section 18-125.1. However, such contributions need not be made by any participant who has elected prior to September 15, 1969, not to be subject to the automatic increase in annuity provisions.

(c) Effective July 13, 1953, each married participant subject to the survivor's annuity provisions is required to contribute 2 1/2% of each payment of salary, whether or not he or she is required to make any other contributions under this Section. Such contributions shall be made concurrently with the contributions made for annuity purposes.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the required contributions for a participant who first becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011 shall not exceed the contributions that would be due under this Article if that participant's highest salary for annuity purposes were $106,800, plus any increase in that amount under Section 18-125.

(Source: P.A. 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-133.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-133.1)

Sec. 18-133.1. Pickup of contributions.

(a) Each employer may pick up the participant contributions required under Section 18-133 for all salary earned after December 31, 1981. If an employer decides not to pick up the contributions, the employee contributions shall continue to be deducted from salary. If contributions are picked up they shall be treated as employer contributions in determining tax treatment under the United States Internal Revenue Code. However, the employer shall continue to withhold Federal and State income taxes based upon these contributions until the Internal Revenue Service or the Federal courts rule that pursuant to Section 414(h) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, these contributions shall not be included as gross income of the participant until such time as they are distributed or made available. The employer shall pay these participant contributions from the same source of funds which is used in paying earnings to the participant. The employer may pick up these contributions by a reduction in the cash salary of the participant or by an offset against a future salary increase or by a combination of a reduction in salary and offset against a future salary increase. If participant contributions are picked up they shall be treated for all purposes of this Article as participant contributions were considered prior to the time they were picked up.

(b) Subject to the requirements of federal law, a participant may elect to have the employer pick up optional contributions that the participant has elected to pay to the System, and the contributions so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions for the purposes of determining federal tax treatment. The employer shall pick up the contributions by a reduction in the cash salary of the participant and shall pay the contributions from the same fund that is used to pay earnings to the participant. The election to have optional contributions picked up is irrevocable and the optional contributions may not thereafter be prepaid, by direct payment or otherwise. If the provision authorizing the optional contribution requires payment by a stated date (rather than the date of withdrawal or retirement), that requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied if (i) on or before the stated date the participant executes a valid irrevocable election to have the contributions picked up under this subsection, and (ii) the picked-up contributions are in fact paid to the System as provided in the election.

(Source: P.A. 90-448, eff. 8-16-97; 90-766, eff. 8-14-98.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-135) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-135)

Sec. 18-135. Board created. This system shall be administered by a Board of Trustees, of 5 members as follows: the State Treasurer, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and 3 participating judges. The State Treasurer and the Chief Justice shall be ex-officio members and shall serve as trustees during their respective terms of office. Each participating judge trustee shall serve for a term of 3 years. Their successors shall be appointed by the Supreme Court not more than 3 months nor less than one month prior to the expiration of their respective terms of office.

Each trustee shall take an oath of office. The filing of a certified copy of the oath with the secretary of the board shall qualify the person as a trustee. The oath shall state that the person will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the retirement system, and will not knowingly violate or wilfully permit any of the provisions of this Article to be violated.

A participant trustee shall be disqualified as a trustee immediately upon termination of employment as a judge. The vacancy so created shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Supreme Court.

Each trustee shall have one vote on all actions of the board and at least 3 concurring votes shall be necessary for any action by the board at any meeting. No decision or action shall become effective unless presented and so approved by the board.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-136) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-136)

Sec. 18-136. Powers and duties of board. The board has the powers and duties stated in Sections 18-137 through 18-150, in addition to the other powers and duties granted it in this Article.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-137) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-137)

Sec. 18-137. To hold meetings.

To hold regular meetings at least quarterly in each year and special meetings at such times as it deems necessary. At least 10 days' notice of each meeting shall be given to each trustee. All meetings shall be open to the public and shall be held in the office of the board.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-138) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-138)

Sec. 18-138. To consider applications.

To consider and pass on all applications for annuities and refunds, authorize the granting thereof and suspend any payment or payments, all in accordance with this Article.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-139) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-139)

Sec. 18-139. To certify interest rate and adopt actuarial tables.

To certify the prescribed interest rate, and adopt the necessary actuarial tables in accordance with certifications of the actuary.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-140) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-140)

Sec. 18-140. To certify required State contributions and submit vouchers.

(a) The Board shall certify to the Governor, on or before November 15 of each year until November 15, 2011, the amount of the required State contribution to the System for the following fiscal year and shall specifically identify the System's projected State normal cost for that fiscal year. The certification shall include a copy of the actuarial recommendations upon which it is based and shall specifically identify the System's projected State normal cost for that fiscal year.

On or before November 1 of each year, beginning November 1, 2012, the Board shall submit to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly a proposed certification of the amount of the required State contribution to the System for the next fiscal year, along with all of the actuarial assumptions, calculations, and data upon which that proposed certification is based. On or before January 1 of each year beginning January 1, 2013, the State Actuary shall issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed certification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. On or before January 15, 2013 and every January 15 thereafter, the Board shall certify to the Governor and the General Assembly the amount of the required State contribution for the next fiscal year. The Board's certification must note any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

On or before May 1, 2004, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2005, taking into account the amounts appropriated to and received by the System under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act.

On or before July 1, 2005, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2006, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

On or before April 1, 2011, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2011, applying the changes made by Public Act 96-889 to the System's assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2009 as though Public Act 96-889 was approved on that date.

By November 1, 2017, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly the amount of the State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2018, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. The State Actuary shall review the assumptions and valuations underlying the Board's revised certification and issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed recertification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. The Board's final certification must note any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

(b) Beginning in State fiscal year 1996, on or as soon as possible after the 15th day of each month the Board shall submit vouchers for payment of State contributions to the System, in a total monthly amount of one-twelfth of the required annual State contribution certified under subsection (a). From the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly through June 30, 2004, the Board shall not submit vouchers for the remainder of fiscal year 2004 in excess of the fiscal year 2004 certified contribution amount determined under this Section after taking into consideration the transfer to the System under subsection (c) of Section 6z-61 of the State Finance Act. These vouchers shall be paid by the State Comptroller and Treasurer by warrants drawn on the funds appropriated to the System for that fiscal year.

If in any month the amount remaining unexpended from all other appropriations to the System for the applicable fiscal year (including the appropriations to the System under Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act and Section 1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act) is less than the amount lawfully vouchered under this Section, the difference shall be paid from the General Revenue Fund under the continuing appropriation authority provided in Section 1.1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-23, eff. 7-6-17.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-142) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-142)

Sec. 18-142. To request information.

To request such information from any participating judge or from any officer, department head or other persons in authority, of any employer as is necessary for the proper operation of the system.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-143) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-143)

Sec. 18-143. To provide examinations.

To provide for the examination of persons receiving disability annuities prior to age 60, by one or more licensed and practicing physicians designated by the board at least once each year during the continuance of disability.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-144) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-144)

Sec. 18-144. To establish office.

To establish an office or offices with suitable space for the board meetings and for the necessary administrative personnel. All books and records shall be kept in such offices.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-145) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-145)

Sec. 18-145. To employ staff. To appoint a secretary and employ such actuarial, medical, legal, clerical or other help as is required for the efficient administration of the system, and determine their rates of pay.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-146) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-146)

Sec. 18-146. To keep records.

To keep a permanent record of all proceedings of the board, a separate account for each individual judge and such additional data as is specified by the actuary as necessary for required calculations and valuations.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-147) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-147)

Sec. 18-147. To have accounts audited and to submit statements.

To have the accounts of the system audited at least biennially by a certified public accountant designated by the Auditor General, and to submit an annual statement to the Governor as soon as possible after the end of each fiscal year.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-148) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-148)

Sec. 18-148. To accept gifts.

To accept any gift, grant or bequest of any money or securities for the purpose designated by the grantor, if such purpose is specified as providing cash benefits for some or all of the participants or annuitants of the system, or if no such purpose is designated, for the purpose of reducing the costs of the State for providing benefits.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-149) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-149)

Sec. 18-149. To submit individual statements. To submit an individual statement to a participating judge upon his or her request, showing the accumulations to his or her credit as of the latest practicable date.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-150) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-150)

Sec. 18-150. To make rules. To establish rules and regulations consistent with this Article and deemed necessary for the administration of the system, and to generally carry on any other reasonable activities to accomplish the intent of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-151) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-151)

Sec. 18-151. Duties of secretary. The secretary shall be in charge of the administration of the detailed affairs of the system and, in addition to such other powers and duties delegated by the board, shall:

(1) collect and record the receipt of all payments to the system, including participants' contributions, State contributions, interest and principal collections on investments as the same become due and payable, and other income accruing to the system, and immediately deposit them with the State Treasurer for its account;

(2) sign vouchers requesting the State Comptroller to draw warrants upon the State Treasurer in accordance with resolutions of the Board authorizing payments of benefits, refunds and expenses from the funds of the system.

(3) certify to each employer the names of the persons from whose salary deductions are to be made and the amounts or rates of such deductions.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-152) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-152)

Sec. 18-152. Duties of actuary. The actuary shall be the technical advisor of the Board and, in addition to supplying general information on technical matters, shall:

  • (1) make a general investigation at least once every 3 years of the mortality, retirement, disability, separation, interest and employee earnings rates and recommend, as a result thereof, the tables to be adopted for all required actuarial calculations; and
  • (2) make an annual valuation of the liabilities and reserves of the system, an annual determination of the amount of the required State contributions and certify the results thereof to the board.

(Source: P.A. 99-232, eff. 8-3-15.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-153) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-153)

Sec. 18-153. Duties of Treasurer. The Treasurer of the State of Illinois shall be ex-officio the Treasurer of the System and shall:

(1) act as official custodian of the cash and securities of the system, provide adequate safe deposit facilities for the preservation of such securities, and hold such cash and securities subject to the order of the board;

(2) receive from the secretary all items of cash belonging to the system, as the same are transmitted by the secretary, including participants' contributions, State contributions, interest and principal on investments and other income accruing to the system, deposit all such amounts in a special trust fund for the account of this system, and notify the board of all such transactions at least once each month;

(3) make payments for purposes specified in this Article upon warrants or direct deposit transmittals of the State Comptroller issued in accordance with vouchers signed by the secretary pursuant to resolutions of the board;

(4) furnish a corporate surety bond acceptable to the board of such amount as the board designates. The bond shall indemnify the board against any loss which may result from any action or failure to act on the part of the Treasurer or any of his or her agents. All reasonable charges incidental to the procuring of the bond shall be paid by the board.

Any cash accruing to the special trust fund representing the system not required for current expenditures shall be transferred to the Illinois State Board of Investment for purposes of investment. Until such transfer is made, those funds shall be invested temporarily by the Treasurer on behalf of the system and interest earned thereon shall be credited to the trust fund of the system.

(Source: P.A. 86-273.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-154) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-154)

Sec. 18-154. Duties of State Comptroller. The State Comptroller in drawing warrants for salary on payroll vouchers certified by an employer shall draw such warrants for the salary specified, less the employee contribution to be deducted therefrom as certified in the payroll vouchers, and shall draw a warrant to this system for the total of the employee contributions so withheld. The warrant drawn to the system, together with the additional copy of the payroll supplied by the employer, shall be transmitted immediately to the secretary of the board.

The Comptroller shall draw warrants or prepare direct deposit transmittals upon the State Treasurer payable from the funds of this system for purposes provided in this Article upon the presentation of vouchers approved by the secretary in accordance with the resolutions of the board, and in the exercise of the investment authority, upon presentation of vouchers approved by the director of the Illinois State Board of Investment in accordance with the order and direction of said board.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-155) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-155)

Sec. 18-155. Duties of employers. Each employer, in preparing payroll vouchers shall indicate, in addition to other things: (1) the amount of contributions specified to be deducted from the salary or wages of each participant included in the voucher; (2) the net amount payable to each participant after the deduction of such contribution; and (3) the total of all participant contributions so deducted. An additional certified copy of each payroll voucher certified by the State shall be prepared and forwarded together with the original payroll voucher to the State Comptroller for transmittal to the board.

Each employer other than the State, in drawing warrants for items of salary payable to participants, shall draw such warrants for the salary specified less the participant contribution to be deducted therefrom as certified in the payroll vouchers and shall draw a warrant to this system for the total of the participant contributions so withheld. The warrant drawn to the system, together with the additional copy of the payroll supplied by the employer, shall be transmitted immediately to the secretary of the board.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-156) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-156)

Sec. 18-156. Effect of participation. Each participating judge, by virtue of the payment of the employee contributions required to be paid to this system, has a vested interest in the refunds provided under this Article and, in consideration of that interest, authorizes the deductions from salary of all contributions payable to this system under this Article. Payment of salary as prescribed by law or as contracted by an employer, less the amounts of contributions provided in this Article, shall, together with such special vested rights in the refunds, be a full and complete discharge of all claims of payments for service rendered by a judge during the period covered by any such payment.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-157) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-157)

Sec. 18-157. Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act. The "Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act", being Article 20 of this Code, is adopted and made a part of this Article; provided that Section 20-131 shall not apply to this system.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-158) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-158)

Sec. 18-158. No compensation.

Trustees shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for any reasonable traveling expenses incurred in attending meetings of the board.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-159) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-159)

Sec. 18-159. No gain or profit on investments. No trustee or employee of the board shall have any direct interest in the income, gains or profits of any investments made in behalf of the system nor receive any pay or emolument for services in connection with any investment. No such trustee or employee shall become an endorser or surety, or in any manner an obligor for money loaned or borrowed from the system. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this Section is guilty of a petty offense.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-160) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-160)

Sec. 18-160. Undivided interests.

The assets of the system shall be invested as one fund, and no person, group of persons, or entity shall have any right in any specific security or property, or in any item of cash, other than an undivided interest in the whole.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-161) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-161)

Sec. 18-161. Annuities, etc. - exempt. Except as provided in this Article, all moneys in the fund created by this Article, and all securities and other property of the System, and all annuities and other benefits payable under this Article, and all accumulated contributions and other credits of participants in this System, and the right of any person to receive an annuity or other benefit under this Article, or a refund or return of contributions, shall not be subject to judgment, execution, garnishment, attachment, or other seizure by process, in bankruptcy or otherwise, nor to sale, pledge, mortgage or other alienation, and shall not be assignable. A person receiving an annuity or benefit, or refund or return of contributions, may authorize withholding from such annuity, benefit, refund or return of contributions in accordance with the provisions of the "State Salary and Annuity Withholding Act", approved August 21, 1961, as now or hereafter amended.

The General Assembly finds and declares that the amendment to this Section made by this amendatory Act of 1989 is a clarification of existing law, and an indication of its previous intent in enacting and amending this Section. Notwithstanding Section 1-103.1, application of this amendment shall not be limited to persons in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989.

(Source: P.A. 86-273.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-162) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-162)

Sec. 18-162. Fraud.

Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, or falsifies or permits to be falsified any record of this system, in any attempt to defraud the system, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 77-2830.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-162.1)

Sec. 18-162.1. Mistake in benefit. If the System mistakenly sets any benefit at an incorrect amount, it shall recalculate the benefit as soon as may be practicable after the mistake is discovered.

If the benefit was mistakenly set too low, the System shall make a lump sum payment to the recipient of an amount equal to the difference between the benefits that should have been paid and those actually paid.

If the benefit was mistakenly set too high, the System may recover the amount overpaid from the recipient thereof, either directly or by deducting such amount from the remaining benefits payable to the recipient. However, if (1) the amount of the benefit was mistakenly set too high, and (2) the error was undiscovered for 3 years or longer, and (3) the error was not the result of incorrect information supplied by the affected member or beneficiary, then upon discovery of the mistake the benefit shall be adjusted to the correct level, but the recipient of the benefit need not repay to the System the excess amounts received in error.

This Section applies to all mistakes in benefit calculations that occur before, on, or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 98-1117, eff. 8-26-14.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-163) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-163)

Sec. 18-163. Felony conviction. None of the benefits herein provided shall be paid to any person who is convicted of any felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with his or her service as a judge.

None of the benefits provided for in this Article shall be paid to 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 judge from whom the benefit results.

This Section shall not operate to impair any contract or vested right acquired before July 9, 1955 under any law or laws continued in this Article, nor to preclude the right to a refund, and for the changes under this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, shall not impair any contract or vested right acquired by a survivor prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

All participants entering service subsequent to July 9, 1955 are deemed to have consented to the provisions of this Section as a condition of participation, and all participants entering service subsequent to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly shall be deemed to have consented to the provisions of this amendatory Act as a condition of participation.

(Source: P.A. 100-334, eff. 8-25-17.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-164) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-164)

Sec. 18-164. Administrative review. The provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and modifications thereof, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the judicial review of final administrative decisions of the board provided for under this Article. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-165) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-165)

Sec. 18-165. General provisions and savings clause.

The provisions of Article 1 and Article 23 of this Code apply to this Article as though such provisions were fully set forth in this Article as a part thereof.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-168) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-168)

Sec. 18-168. Savings clause. The repeal or amendment of any Section or provision of this Article by Public Act 83-1440 shall not affect or impair any pensions, benefits, rights or credits accrued or in effect prior thereto.

(Source: P.A. 87-1265.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-169)

Sec. 18-169. Application and expiration of new benefit increases.

(a) As used in this Section, "new benefit increase" means an increase in the amount of any benefit provided under this Article, or an expansion of the conditions of eligibility for any benefit under this Article, that results from an amendment to this Code that takes effect after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or any subsequent amendment to this Code, every new benefit increase is subject to this Section and shall be deemed to be granted only in conformance with and contingent upon compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(c) The Public Act enacting a new benefit increase must identify and provide for payment to the System of additional funding at least sufficient to fund the resulting annual increase in cost to the System as it accrues.

Every new benefit increase is contingent upon the General Assembly providing the additional funding required under this subsection. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall analyze whether adequate additional funding has been provided for the new benefit increase and shall report its analysis to the Public Pension Division of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A new benefit increase created by a Public Act that does not include the additional funding required under this subsection is null and void. If the Public Pension Division determines that the additional funding provided for a new benefit increase under this subsection is or has become inadequate, it may so certify to the Governor and the State Comptroller and, in the absence of corrective action by the General Assembly, the new benefit increase shall expire at the end of the fiscal year in which the certification is made.

(d) Every new benefit increase shall expire 5 years after its effective date or on such earlier date as may be specified in the language enacting the new benefit increase or provided under subsection (c). This does not prevent the General Assembly from extending or re-creating a new benefit increase by law.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in the language creating the new benefit increase, a new benefit increase that expires under this Section continues to apply to persons who applied and qualified for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect and to the affected beneficiaries and alternate payees of such persons, but does not apply to any other person, including without limitation a person who continues in service after the expiration date and did not apply and qualify for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05.)

 

(40 ILCS 5/18-170)

Sec. 18-170. Termination of plan. Upon plan termination, a participant's interest in the pension fund will be nonforfeitable.

(Source: P.A. 98-1117, eff. 8-26-14.)


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