Disabled officers could receive higher pensions and property tax relief

The pension would be at least $40,000 per year. This applies to any pension payable under the line-of-duty disability section, including when the officer's disability or death happened before July 1, 2026. If the minimum pension under Section 3-113.1 is higher, that higher minimum controls. The $40,000 yearly minimum would begin July 1, 2026.

A pension fund would pay the full monthly premium for certain group health coverage. This covers a disabled officer who is an annuitant of a municipality whose group health plan includes police officers and their spouses, or who has chosen certain continued group insurance coverage. The officer must receive the disability pension on or after the act takes effect. This would apply on or after the act takes effect.

A county would grant a property tax break to eligible pension recipients. The exemption would apply to a person receiving a line-of-duty disability pension: 50% for ages 25 to under 36, 75% for ages 36 to under 50, and 100% for age 50 or older. The person must live in the home as a primary residence, be responsible for its property taxes, and own it or hold a documented legal interest. The person must also apply each year for the related pension benefit with the applicable pension fund. The exemption would start with tax year 2027. A recipient could apply during that year's county application period.