Public Act 93-0119 HB0079 Enrolled LRB093 03474 EFG 03502 b AN ACT in relation to public employee benefits. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by adding Section 16-153.5 as follows: (40 ILCS 5/16-153.5 new) Sec. 16-153.5. Election of medicare coverage. (a) The System shall conduct a divided medicare coverage referendum, open to teachers continuously employed by the same employer since March 31, 1986. The referendum shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of federal law and Article 21 of this Code. (b) As used in this Section and in compliance with federal law, "referendum" means the process whereby teachers are granted the opportunity to make an irrevocable individual election to participate in the medicare program on a prospective basis. (c) Employers shall pay the necessary employer contributions and make the necessary deductions from salary for teachers who elect to participate in the federal medicare program under this Section, as required by the System, Article 21 of this Code, and federal law. Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.27 as follows: (30 ILCS 805/8.27 new) Sec. 8.27. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.