IllinoisIllinois law sets disability pay rules for eligible public employees
Starting January 1, 2027, eligible public employees may receive half their salary for a qualifying disability if they apply with a medical report.
What it does
Employees who qualify may receive half their salary for a limited time if a disability keeps them from working. They must apply in writing with a medical report.
Unless the Board finds good cause, payments cannot cover disability days more than 60 days before an employee applies. Payments end when the disability benefit is no longer payable under the listed conditions.
Argument forEmployees who qualify could receive half their salary for a limited time if a disability keeps them from working.
Argument againstEmployees could lose payments if they refuse a reasonable medical exam, withhold required records, or refuse required treatment, subject to a religious-practice exception.
More detail
The law allows qualifying employees to receive a benefit equal to half their salary. It covers employees disabled for a reason other than an injury or illness incurred while working for an employer or while engaged in self-employment activities. Employees must apply in writing and include a report from at least one licensed health care professional. The benefit is not paid while an employee receives or is entitled to any part of their salary. It is also unavailable for a disability that begins during unpaid leave or most other absences. If a disability begins during an ineligible absence, the employee must recover and return to work for at least 15 consecutive working days before receiving benefits. The benefit period equals 25% of the employee’s prior actual service, up to a total of 5 years.
The law sets limits on when payments can begin and when they end. These rules apply to employees seeking the ordinary disability benefit. Unless the Board finds good cause for a late application, benefits cannot cover disability days more than 60 days before the employee applies. Payments end when the employee returns to work, the disability ends, the employee receives a retirement annuity under this part of the code, or certain other conditions apply, including refusing a reasonable exam or required records. The first payment is due within one month after approval; later payments are due at least monthly. The first payment is due within one month after the benefit is granted, with later payments at least monthly.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0763Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 18Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 21Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 21Passed Both Houses
- May 21Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000Passed Senate
- May 19Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
- May 18Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 19, 2026
- May 18Second ReadingMinor
- May 6Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- May 6Do Pass Judiciary; 008-000-000
- Apr 28Assigned to JudiciaryMinor
- Apr 21Referred to Assignments
- Apr 21First ReadingMinor
- Apr 21Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter
- Apr 21Placed on Calendar Order of First ReadingMinor
- Apr 21Arrive in SenateMinor
- Apr 16Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 102-000-000Passed House
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 16Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Feb 24Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Feb 24Approved for Consideration Rules Committee; 005-000-000
- 2025
- Apr 11Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
- Mar 26Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 26Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 20Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 20Do Pass / Short Debate Personnel & Pensions Committee; 011-000-000
- Mar 11Assigned to Personnel & Pensions CommitteeMinor
- Feb 18Referred to Rules Committee
- Feb 18First ReadingMinor
- Feb 7Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Kimberly Du BucletIntroduced
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