PEN CD-ART 5-WIDOWS' ANNUITIES

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that language denying an annuity to a wife or widow, married subsequent to the effective date, of a policeman who dies in service, if the marriage occurred less than one year prior to the policeman's death, does not apply to the widow of a policeman who dies in the performance of an act of duty. Provides that, for (i) a wife or widow, married subsequent to the effective date, of a policeman who dies in service, if the marriage occurred less than one year prior to the policeman's death and (ii) a wife or widow of a policeman who withdraws, whether or not he enters upon annuity, and dies out of service, if the marriage occurred after the effective date and less than one year prior to the policeman's death, and the widow was not his wife while he was in service, if after an evidentiary hearing, the Board of Trustees, at its sole discretion determines that special circumstances exist warranting payment of a widow's annuity, then and only then shall the Board have authority to grant and award the annuity that would have been otherwise available. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.