PEN CD-IMRF-SLEP BENEFITS

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows a sheriff's law enforcement employee (SLEP) to convert up to 10 years of non-SLEP service credit into SLEP credit by paying the difference in employee and employer contributions, plus interest. Increases the SLEP retirement formula to 2.5% of the final rate of earnings for each year of SLEP service. Increases the maximum pension payable to a SLEP from 75% to 80% of the final rate of earnings. Removes the 2-year service requirement for earning new benefits after a return to service as a SLEP. Increases the additional employee contribution paid by SLEPs to 2.5% of salary. Also eliminates the reduction in benefit imposed on a surviving spouse who is more than 5 years younger than the deceased member, for the surviving spouse of any member who dies on or after the effective date. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.