SB4166 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 20971 RPS 34827 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB4166

Introduced 3/4/2026, by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Pension Security and Cost Efficiency Act. Sets forth findings. Provides that, beginning in State fiscal year 2027 and continuing through State fiscal year 2045, the State shall make the required annual State contributions to the 5 State-funded retirement systems on the first day of the fiscal year. For State fiscal years 2027 through 2031, authorizes, if the State Actuary makes a specified written certification, up to $6,000,000,000 in Pension Obligation Bonds to be used for the sole purpose of reducing the principal balance of unfunded liabilities of the 5 State-funded retirement systems. Provides that the proceeds of pension obligation bonds may not be used to fund the State's normal cost, to reduce or replace any minimum contribution otherwise required, or to pay benefits attributable to service rendered after the date of deposit of the proceeds. Provides that, for State fiscal years 2027 through 2031, the Governor is authorized to direct the payment of supplemental State contributions to the 5 State-funded retirement systems for the purpose of further front-loading payments and reducing unfunded liabilities. Provides that, for State fiscal years 2032 through 2045, the minimum contribution to each State-funded retirement system to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be the re-amortized minimum contribution, which shall be calculated as a level-dollar amount over the years remaining to and including State fiscal year 2045 and shall be sufficient, in combination with employee contributions, investment income, and other income, to bring the total assets of each State-funded retirement system to at least 90% of its total actuarial liabilities by the end of State fiscal year 2045. Makes conforming changes. Amends the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public employee benefits.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. This Act may be referred to as the Pension Security and Cost Efficiency Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The State of Illinois maintains retirement systems for public employees that provide constitutionally protected benefits, support the recruitment and retention of a qualified public workforce, and ensure financial security for retired public servants.

(2) The State's pension obligations represent long-term liabilities that must be funded in a manner that is actuarially sound, fiscally responsible, and consistent with the State's constitutional and statutory commitments.

(3) Under current law, the State's required contributions to its retirement systems are governed by a funding schedule enacted by Public Act 88-593, commonly known as the Pension Ramp, which backloads payments and results in increasing annual contribution requirements through fiscal year 2045.

(4) The funding schedule established by Public Act 88-593 permitted the State to make contributions below actuarially determined levels for extended periods of time, resulting in the deferral of required payments, the accrual of additional unfunded liabilities, and the growth of pension debt within the retirement systems.

(5) The backloaded structure of the Pension Ramp increases long-term debt service costs by delaying the payment of pension liabilities and foregoing potential investment earnings. This backloaded structure creates undue fiscal pressure over time.

(6) Earlier funding of pension obligations, when informed by actuarial analysis and accompanied by appropriate safeguards, can reduce unfunded accrued actuarial liabilities and lower total costs to taxpayers over time.

(7) Refinancing a portion of the State's existing pension liabilities through the issuance of pension obligation bonds, and utilizing the net proceeds thereof (after payment of issuance costs) for the sole purpose of prepaying a portion of the outstanding principal balance of unfunded pension liability shall be structured based on an actuarial certification, be designed to increase the Pension Systems' respective funded ratios to reach 90% by fiscal year 2045, and mitigate long-term contribution volatility.

(8) Pension obligation bonds, when issued in a measured and phased-in manner, and when the net proceeds thereof are used solely to reduce the principal balance of unfunded liabilities, can improve the financial health of the Pension Systems by converting unfunded liabilities into invested assets, allowing such assets to earn market returns over time. Historical experience indicates that, over long investment periods, the investment of pension obligation bond proceeds after said proceeds have become assets of the Pension Systems, have generated returns in excess of the cost of the pension obligation bonds, producing a positive compounding effect through the remaining amortization period. Moreover, issuing smaller pension obligation bonds over multiple fiscal years, rather than issuing one, high dollar amount of pension obligation bonds in a single year, mitigates market timing risks and reduces near-term contribution pressures, thereby lessening the need for abrupt revenue increases to address rising pension costs.

(9) Credit rating agencies evaluate a state's pension funding practices, unfunded liability management strategies, pension contribution predictability, and long-term liability trends when assessing that state's creditworthiness, and policies that promote stability, predictability, and sustainability in covering unfunded pension liability costs can support improved fiscal outlooks, result in credit upgrades, and thereby lower a state's borrowing costs.

(10) Timing the State's pension contributions to be made in full on the first day of the fiscal year, and re-amortizing unfunded liabilities on a level-dollar basis, can enhance budget predictability, save debt service costs, reduce fiscal strain in future years, and strengthen the financial position of the retirement systems.

(11) Actuarial analyses and long-term projections indicate that the combined implementation of the strategies set forth in this Act, including the refinancing of a portion of existing pension liabilities through the issuance of pension obligation bonds, using all the net pension obligation bond proceeds (after costs of issuance are covered) to retire existing unfunded pension liability principal, front-loading the State's contributions into its Pension Systems, and re-amortizing the unfunded accrued actuarial liabilities on a level-dollar basis, is expected to reduce total pension-related costs to the State by approximately $40,000,000,000 over the remaining amortization period, as compared to costs that would otherwise be incurred under the existing Pension Ramp.

Section 10. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to establish a revised, integrated framework for financing and funding the State's pension obligations to the General Assembly Retirement System, the State Employees' Retirement System, the State Universities Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System, and the Judges' Retirement System, in order to:

(1) reduce unfunded accrued actuarial liabilities and long-term taxpayer costs by refinancing a portion of existing pension liabilities and accelerating the funding of pension obligations;

(2) front-load State contributions and adjust the timing of required contributions to increase investment earnings and improve funded ratios over time;

(3) replace the backloaded contribution schedule previously established under Public Act 88-593 with a level-dollar amortization structure beginning in State fiscal year 2032 to promote fiscal stability and predictability; and

(4) improve the State's long-term fiscal position and credit profile through enhanced pension funding discipline, actuarial oversight, and sustainable liability management.

Section 15. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing Sections 2-124, 2-134, 14-131, 15-155, 16-158, 18-131, and 18-140 and by adding Section 1A-202 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/1A-202 new)

Sec. 1A-202. State contributions; pension liability refinancing and re-amortization.

(a) Definitions. In this Section:

"Actuarially required contributions" means the amount of employer contribution for a given fiscal year that is determined by each Pension System's actuary to be sufficient to both fund the normal cost of benefits earned during that fiscal year in question and to amortize unfunded accrued actuarial liabilities over the applicable amortization period.

"Amortization period" means the period of time over which unfunded accrued actuarial liabilities are scheduled to be repaid through actuarially determined contributions, measured from the beginning of the applicable fiscal year to the end of the final fiscal year of the applicable amortization schedule.

"Funded ratio" means the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the actuarial value of a Pension System's assets to its actuarial accrued liabilities, as determined in the most recent actuarial valuation prepared for the applicable Pension System, which shall be calculated by dividing the current monetary value of the applicable Pension System's total assets by its total liabilities.

"Pension ramp" means the pension funding schedule established by Public Act 88-593 and codified and amended under various provisions of the Illinois Pension Code.

"Pension System" means the General Assembly Retirement System, the State Employees' Retirement System, the State Universities Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System, or the Judges' Retirement System.

"Principal" means the portion of an outstanding pension obligation or other indebtedness representing the original amount of unfunded liabilities, exclusive of interest, discount, premium, or debt service costs, as determined in accordance with the most recent actuarial valuation.

"Re-amortized minimum contribution" means the minimum annual State contribution determined under subsection (i).

"State Actuary" means the actuary employed or retained by the State to prepare actuarial valuations, projections, and certifications for the Pension Systems.

"Unfunded liability" means the excess of the actuarial accrued liability of the applicable Pension System over the actuarial value of its assets, as determined in the most recent actuarial valuation.

(b) General funding objective. The State shall make contributions to the Pension Systems by appropriations of amounts that, together with employee contributions, investment income, and other income, are sufficient to bring each of the Pension Systems to a funded ratio of at least 90% by the end of State fiscal year 2045, in accordance with actuarial recommendations and the requirements of this Section.

(c) Timing of State contributions. Beginning in State fiscal year 2027 and continuing through State fiscal year 2045, the State shall make the required State contribution to each Pension System for each fiscal year on the first day of that fiscal year. The required contribution shall not be deferred, except as may be required by law or limitations on appropriations.

(d) Authorization to issue pension obligation bonds.

(1) For State fiscal years 2027 through 2031, the State is authorized to issue pension obligation bonds for the sole purpose of reducing the principal balance of unfunded liabilities of the Pension Systems. All net proceeds of each pension obligation bond issued under this Act that remain after covering the cost of the issuance thereof, shall be used to retire principal of unfunded liabilities of the Pension Systems.

(2) The aggregate principal amount of pension obligation bonds issued under this subsection shall not exceed $6,000,000,000.

(3) Pension obligation bonds issued under this subsection shall, to the extent practicable and consistent with the certification required under subsection (f), be issued in a front-loaded manner over the authorization period, with a greater proportion of the aggregate principal amount issued in earlier fiscal years and a lesser proportion issued in later fiscal years, with issuance of the largest portion in State fiscal year 2027 and the smallest portion in State fiscal year 2031.

(4) Pension obligation bonds issued under this subsection shall constitute general obligations of the State within the meaning of Section 9 of Article IX of the Illinois Constitution, and the full faith and credit of the State are irrevocably pledged for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds.

(5) Debt service on pension obligation bonds issued under this subsection shall be payable from the General Revenue Fund, subject to appropriation.

(e) Use of proceeds; restrictions.

(1) All proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds issued under this Act, net of issuance costs, shall be deposited into the applicable Pension Systems and applied exclusively to reduce a portion of the principal amount of unfunded liabilities of those Pension Systems.

(2) Proceeds of pension obligation bonds may not be used to fund the State's normal cost, to satisfy or replace any minimum contribution otherwise required under this Code, or to pay benefits attributable to service rendered after the date of deposit of such proceeds.

(3) Contributions made with pension obligation bond proceeds under this subsection shall be treated as supplemental contribution for actuarial and accounting purposes, and shall not reduce any statutorily required contribution for the applicable fiscal year.

(f) Actuarial certification and conditions precedent.

(1) Pension obligation bonds may be issued under this Section only upon a written certification by the State Actuary that the issuance of such bonds, together with the proposed application of bond proceeds, is reasonably expected to reduce the unfunded liabilities of the Pension Systems and improve the projected funded ratios over the remaining amortization period.

(2) In preparing the certification required under this subsection, the State Actuary shall evaluate projected investment returns, assumed rates of return, debt service requirements, contribution schedules, funded ratios, and any reasonably foreseeable or then extant adverse economic scenario.

(g) Supplemental front-loaded contributions.

(1) For State fiscal years 2027 through 2031, in addition to any contributions otherwise required under this Code, the Governor is authorized to direct the payment of supplemental State contributions to the Pension Systems for the purpose of further front-loading payments and reducing unfunded liabilities.

(2) Any supplemental contribution under this subsection shall require certification by the State Actuary under subsection (f) and shall be applied exclusively to reduce unfunded liabilities.

(3) Supplemental contributions made under this subsection may not be used to offset, reduce, or replace any required State contribution for the applicable fiscal year.

(h) Allocation of additional contributions. Amounts contributed under subsections (d) through (g) shall be allocated among the Pension Systems in proportion to each Pension System's share of the State's total unfunded liability, as determined by the most recent actuarial valuation, unless otherwise provided by law.

(i) Re-amortized minimum contribution. For State fiscal years 2032 through 2045, the minimum contribution to each Pension System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be the re-amortized minimum contribution. The re-amortized minimum contribution shall be calculated as a level-dollar amount over the years remaining to and including State fiscal year 2045, and shall be sufficient, in combination with employee contributions, investment income, and other income, to bring the total assets of each Pension System to at least 90% of its total actuarial liabilities by the end of State fiscal year 2045. The re-amortized minimum contribution identified in this subsection (i) shall replace the minimum contribution that would otherwise have been required under the pension ramp for State fiscal years 2032 through 2045.

(j) Construction; controlling provision. This Section shall be construed to supplement and, to the extent of any conflict, supersede the provisions of this Code implementing the Pension Ramp. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to reduce or impair any pension benefit protected under the Illinois Constitution.

(40 ILCS 5/2-124) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-124)

Sec. 2-124. Contributions by State.

(a) The State shall make contributions to the System by appropriations of amounts which, together with the contributions of participants, interest earned on investments, and other income will meet the cost of maintaining and administering the System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

(b) The Board shall determine the amount of State contributions required for each fiscal year on the basis of the actuarial tables and other assumptions adopted by the Board and the prescribed rate of interest, using the formula in subsection (c) or Section 1A-202, whichever is applicable.

(c) For State fiscal years 2012 through 2031 2045, the minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be an amount determined by the System to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the System, not including proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds, up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System by the end of State fiscal year 2045. In making these determinations, the required State contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2045 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds issued under Section 1A-202 may not be used to satisfy or replace any minimum contribution required under this Section or this Code.

For State fiscal years 2032 through 2045, the minimum contribution to the System shall be the amount determined under Section 1A-202.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applies in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter shall be implemented in equal annual amounts over a 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applies to the required State contribution.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applied to the State contribution in fiscal year 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 shall be implemented:

(i) as already applied in State fiscal years before 2018; and

(ii) in the portion of the 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applied that occurs in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter, by calculating the change in equal annual amounts over that 5-year period and then implementing it at the resulting annual rate in each of the remaining fiscal years in that 5-year period.

For State fiscal years 1996 through 2005, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2006 is $4,157,000.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $5,220,300.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2009, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments from the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007, so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2010 is $10,454,000 and shall be made from the proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2010 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2010, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2011 is the amount recertified by the System on or before April 1, 2011 pursuant to Section 2-134 and shall be made from the proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2011 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2011, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Beginning in State fiscal year 2046, the minimum State contribution for each fiscal year shall be the amount needed to maintain the total assets of the System at 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System.

Amounts received by the System pursuant to Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act or Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act in any fiscal year do not reduce and do not constitute payment of any portion of the minimum State contribution required under this Article in that fiscal year. Such amounts shall not reduce, and shall not be included in the calculation of, the required State contributions under this Article in any future year until the System has reached a funding ratio of at least 90%. A reference in this Article to the "required State contribution" or any substantially similar term does not include or apply to any amounts payable to the System under Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2005 and for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, as calculated under this Section and certified under Section 2-134, shall not exceed an amount equal to (i) the amount of the required State contribution that would have been calculated under this Section for that fiscal year if the System had not received any payments under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, minus (ii) the portion of the State's total debt service payments for that fiscal year on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of that Section 7.2, as determined and certified by the Comptroller, that is the same as the System's portion of the total moneys distributed under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act. In determining this maximum for State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, however, the amount referred to in item (i) shall be increased, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, in equal increments calculated from the sum of the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 plus the applicable portion of the State's total debt service payments for fiscal year 2007 on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, so that, by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

(d) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the System, the value of the System's assets shall be equal to the actuarial value of the System's assets, which shall be calculated as follows:

As of June 30, 2008, the actuarial value of the System's assets shall be equal to the market value of the assets as of that date. In determining the actuarial value of the System's assets for fiscal years after June 30, 2008, any actuarial gains or losses from investment return incurred in a fiscal year shall be recognized in equal annual amounts over the 5-year period following that fiscal year.

(e) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the system for a particular year, the actuarial value of assets shall be assumed to earn a rate of return equal to the system's actuarially assumed rate of return.

(Source: P.A. 100-23, eff. 7-6-17.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-134) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-134)

Sec. 2-134. To certify required State contributions and submit vouchers.

(a) The Board shall certify to the Governor on or before December 15 of each year until December 15, 2011 the amount of the required State contribution to the System for the next fiscal year and shall specifically identify the System's projected State normal cost for that fiscal year. The certification shall include a copy of the actuarial recommendations upon which it is based and shall specifically identify the System's projected State normal cost for that fiscal year.

On or before November 1 of each year, beginning November 1, 2012, the Board shall submit to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly a proposed certification of the amount of the required State contribution to the System for the next fiscal year, along with all of the actuarial assumptions, calculations, and data upon which that proposed certification is based. On or before January 1 of each year beginning January 1, 2013, the State Actuary shall issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed certification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. On or before January 15, 2013 and every January 15 thereafter, the Board shall certify to the Governor and the General Assembly the amount of the required State contribution for the next fiscal year. The Board's certification must note any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

On or before May 1, 2004, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2005, taking into account the amounts appropriated to and received by the System under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act.

On or before July 1, 2005, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2006, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

On or before April 1, 2011, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2011, applying the changes made by Public Act 96-889 to the System's assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2009 as though Public Act 96-889 was approved on that date.

By November 1, 2017, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly the amount of the State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2018, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. The State Actuary shall review the assumptions and valuations underlying the Board's revised certification and issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed recertification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. The Board's final certification must note any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

(b) Unless otherwise directed by the Comptroller under subsection (b-1) or as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Board shall submit vouchers for payment of State contributions to the System for the applicable month on the 15th day of each month, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable. The amount vouchered for a monthly payment shall total one-twelfth of the required annual State contribution certified under subsection (a). Beginning State fiscal year 2027 and through State fiscal year 2045, on the first day of each State fiscal year, the Board shall submit a voucher for the payment of the State contribution for that State fiscal year, as certified by the Board, whichever is applicable.

(b-1) Until State fiscal year 2027 and for State fiscal year 2046 and thereafter Beginning in State fiscal year 2025, if the Comptroller requests that the Board submit, during a State fiscal year, vouchers for multiple monthly payments for advance payment of State contributions due to the System for that State fiscal year, then the Board shall submit those additional monthly vouchers as directed by the Comptroller, notwithstanding subsection (b). Unless an act of appropriations provides otherwise, nothing in this Section authorizes the Board to submit, in a State fiscal year, vouchers for the payment of State contributions to the System in an amount that exceeds the rate of payroll that is certified by the System under this Section for that State fiscal year.

(b-2) The vouchers described in subsections (b) and (b-1) shall be paid by the State Comptroller and Treasurer by warrants drawn on the funds appropriated to the System for that fiscal year.

If in any month the amount remaining unexpended from all other appropriations to the System for the applicable fiscal year (including the appropriations to the System under Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act and Section 1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act) is less than the amount lawfully vouchered under this Section, the difference shall be paid from the General Revenue Fund under the continuing appropriation authority provided in Section 1.1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act.

(c) The full amount of any annual appropriation for the System for State fiscal year 1995 shall be transferred and made available to the System at the beginning of that fiscal year at the request of the Board. Any excess funds remaining at the end of any fiscal year from appropriations shall be retained by the System as a general reserve to meet the System's accrued liabilities.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)

(40 ILCS 5/14-131)

Sec. 14-131. Contributions by State.

(a) The State shall make contributions to the System by appropriations of amounts which, together with other employer contributions from trust, federal, and other funds, employee contributions, investment income, and other income, will be sufficient to meet the cost of maintaining and administering the System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

For the purposes of this Section and Section 14-135.08, references to State contributions refer only to employer contributions and do not include employee contributions that are picked up or otherwise paid by the State or a department on behalf of the employee.

(b) The Board shall determine the total amount of State contributions required for each fiscal year on the basis of the actuarial tables and other assumptions adopted by the Board, using the formula in subsection (e) or Section 1A-202, whichever is applicable.

The Board shall also determine a State contribution rate for each fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of payroll, based on the total required State contribution for that fiscal year (less the amount received by the System from appropriations under Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act and Section 1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act, if any, for the fiscal year ending on the June 30 immediately preceding the applicable November 15 certification deadline), the estimated payroll (including all forms of compensation) for personal services rendered by eligible employees, and the recommendations of the actuary.

For the purposes of this Section and Section 14.1 of the State Finance Act, the term "eligible employees" includes employees who participate in the System, persons who may elect to participate in the System but have not so elected, persons who are serving a qualifying period that is required for participation, and annuitants employed by a department as described in subdivision (a)(1) or (a)(2) of Section 14-111.

(c) Contributions shall be made by the several departments for each pay period by warrants drawn by the State Comptroller against their respective funds or appropriations based upon vouchers stating the amount to be so contributed. These amounts shall be based on the full rate certified by the Board under Section 14-135.08 for that fiscal year. From March 5, 2004 (the effective date of Public Act 93-665) through the payment of the final payroll from fiscal year 2004 appropriations, the several departments shall not make contributions for the remainder of fiscal year 2004 but shall instead make payments as required under subsection (a-1) of Section 14.1 of the State Finance Act. The several departments shall resume those contributions at the commencement of fiscal year 2005.

(c-1) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of this Section, for fiscal years 2010, 2012, and each fiscal year thereafter, contributions by the several departments are not required to be made for General Revenue Funds payrolls processed by the Comptroller. Payrolls paid by the several departments from all other State funds must continue to be processed pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section.

(c-2) Unless otherwise directed by the Comptroller under subsection (c-3) or as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Board shall submit vouchers for payment of State contributions to the System for the applicable month on the 15th day of each month, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable. The amount vouchered for a monthly payment shall total one-twelfth of the fiscal year General Revenue Fund contribution as certified by the System pursuant to Section 14-135.08 of this Code. Beginning State fiscal year 2027 and through State fiscal year 2045, on the first day of each State fiscal year, the Board shall submit a voucher for the payment of the State contribution for that State fiscal year, as certified by the Board, whichever is applicable.

(c-3) Until State fiscal year 2027 and for State fiscal year 2046 and thereafter Beginning in State fiscal year 2025, if the Comptroller requests that the Board submit, during a State fiscal year, vouchers for multiple monthly payments for advance payment of State contributions due to the System for that State fiscal year, then the Board shall submit those additional vouchers as directed by the Comptroller, notwithstanding subsection (c-2). Unless an act of appropriations provides otherwise, nothing in this Section authorizes the Board to submit, in a State fiscal year, vouchers for the payment of State contributions to the System in an amount that exceeds the rate of payroll that is certified by the System under Section 14-135.08 for that State fiscal year.

(d) If an employee is paid from trust funds or federal funds, the department or other employer shall pay employer contributions from those funds to the System at the certified rate, unless the terms of the trust or the federal-State agreement preclude the use of the funds for that purpose, in which case the required employer contributions shall be paid by the State.

(e) For State fiscal years 2012 through 2031 2045, the minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be an amount determined by the System to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the System up to 90%, not including proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds, of the total actuarial liabilities of the System by the end of State fiscal year 2045. In making these determinations, the required State contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2045 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds issued under Section 1A-202 may not be used to satisfy or replace any minimum contribution required under this Section or this Code.

For State fiscal years 2032 through 2045, the minimum contribution to the System shall be the amount determined under Section 1A-202.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applies in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter shall be implemented in equal annual amounts over a 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applies to the required State contribution.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applied to the State contribution in fiscal year 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 shall be implemented:

(i) as already applied in State fiscal years before 2018; and

(ii) in the portion of the 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applied that occurs in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter, by calculating the change in equal annual amounts over that 5-year period and then implementing it at the resulting annual rate in each of the remaining fiscal years in that 5-year period.

For State fiscal years 1996 through 2005, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate required under this Section; except that (i) for State fiscal year 1998, for all purposes of this Code and any other law of this State, the certified percentage of the applicable employee payroll shall be 5.052% for employees earning eligible creditable service under Section 14-110 and 6.500% for all other employees, notwithstanding any contrary certification made under Section 14-135.08 before July 7, 1997 (the effective date of Public Act 90-65), and (ii) in the following specified State fiscal years, the State contribution to the System shall not be less than the following indicated percentages of the applicable employee payroll, even if the indicated percentage will produce a State contribution in excess of the amount otherwise required under this subsection and subsection (a): 9.8% in FY 1999; 10.0% in FY 2000; 10.2% in FY 2001; 10.4% in FY 2002; 10.6% in FY 2003; and 10.8% in FY 2004.

Beginning in State fiscal year 2046, the minimum State contribution for each fiscal year shall be the amount needed to maintain the total assets of the System at 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System.

Amounts received by the System pursuant to Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act or Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act in any fiscal year do not reduce and do not constitute payment of any portion of the minimum State contribution required under this Article in that fiscal year. Such amounts shall not reduce, and shall not be included in the calculation of, the required State contributions under this Article in any future year until the System has reached a funding ratio of at least 90%. A reference in this Article to the "required State contribution" or any substantially similar term does not include or apply to any amounts payable to the System under Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2005 and for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, as calculated under this Section and certified under Section 14-135.08, shall not exceed an amount equal to (i) the amount of the required State contribution that would have been calculated under this Section for that fiscal year if the System had not received any payments under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, minus (ii) the portion of the State's total debt service payments for that fiscal year on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of that Section 7.2, as determined and certified by the Comptroller, that is the same as the System's portion of the total moneys distributed under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act.

(f) (Blank).

(g) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the System, the value of the System's assets shall be equal to the actuarial value of the System's assets, which shall be calculated as follows:

As of June 30, 2008, the actuarial value of the System's assets shall be equal to the market value of the assets as of that date. In determining the actuarial value of the System's assets for fiscal years after June 30, 2008, any actuarial gains or losses from investment return incurred in a fiscal year shall be recognized in equal annual amounts over the 5-year period following that fiscal year.

(h) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the System for a particular year, the actuarial value of assets shall be assumed to earn a rate of return equal to the System's actuarially assumed rate of return.

(i) (Blank).

(j) (Blank).

(k) For fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter, after the submission of all payments for eligible employees from personal services line items paid from the General Revenue Fund in the fiscal year have been made, the Comptroller shall provide to the System a certification of the sum of all expenditures in the fiscal year for personal services. Upon receipt of the certification, the System shall determine the amount due to the System based on the full rate certified by the Board under Section 14-135.08 for the fiscal year in order to meet the State's obligation under this Section. The System shall compare this amount due to the amount received by the System for the fiscal year. If the amount due is more than the amount received, the difference shall be termed the "Prior Fiscal Year Shortfall" for purposes of this Section, and the Prior Fiscal Year Shortfall shall be satisfied under Section 1.2 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act. If the amount due is less than the amount received, the difference shall be termed the "Prior Fiscal Year Overpayment" for purposes of this Section, and the Prior Fiscal Year Overpayment shall be repaid by the System to the General Revenue Fund as soon as practicable after the certification.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-155) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-155)

Sec. 15-155. Employer contributions.

(a) The State of Illinois shall make contributions by appropriations of amounts which, together with the other employer contributions from trust, federal, and other funds, employee contributions, income from investments, and other income of this System, will be sufficient to meet the cost of maintaining and administering the System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

The Board shall determine the amount of State contributions required for each fiscal year on the basis of the actuarial tables and other assumptions adopted by the Board and the recommendations of the actuary, using the formula in subsection (a-1) or Section 1A-202, whichever is applicable.

(a-1) For State fiscal years 2012 through 2031 2045, the minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be an amount determined by the System to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the System, not including proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds, up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System by the end of State fiscal year 2045. In making these determinations, the required State contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2045 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds issued under Section 1A-202 may not be used to satisfy or replace any minimum contribution required under this Section or this Code.

For State fiscal years 2032 through 2045, the minimum contribution to the System shall be the amount determined under Section 1A-202.

For each of State fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020, the State shall make an additional contribution to the System equal to 2% of the total payroll of each employee who is deemed to have elected the benefits under Section 1-161 or who has made the election under subsection (c) of Section 1-161.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applies in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter shall be implemented in equal annual amounts over a 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applies to the required State contribution.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applied to the State contribution in fiscal year 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 shall be implemented:

(i) as already applied in State fiscal years before 2018; and

(ii) in the portion of the 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applied that occurs in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter, by calculating the change in equal annual amounts over that 5-year period and then implementing it at the resulting annual rate in each of the remaining fiscal years in that 5-year period.

For State fiscal years 1996 through 2005, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2006 is $166,641,900.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $252,064,100.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2009, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments from the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007, so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2010 is $702,514,000 and shall be made from the State Pensions Fund and proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2010 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2010, (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2011 is the amount recertified by the System on or before April 1, 2011 pursuant to Section 15-165 and shall be made from the State Pensions Fund and proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2011 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2011, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Beginning in State fiscal year 2046, the minimum State contribution for each fiscal year shall be the amount needed to maintain the total assets of the System at 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System.

Amounts received by the System pursuant to Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act or Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act in any fiscal year do not reduce and do not constitute payment of any portion of the minimum State contribution required under this Article in that fiscal year. Such amounts shall not reduce, and shall not be included in the calculation of, the required State contributions under this Article in any future year until the System has reached a funding ratio of at least 90%. A reference in this Article to the "required State contribution" or any substantially similar term does not include or apply to any amounts payable to the System under Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2005 and for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, as calculated under this Section and certified under Section 15-165, shall not exceed an amount equal to (i) the amount of the required State contribution that would have been calculated under this Section for that fiscal year if the System had not received any payments under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, minus (ii) the portion of the State's total debt service payments for that fiscal year on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of that Section 7.2, as determined and certified by the Comptroller, that is the same as the System's portion of the total moneys distributed under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act. In determining this maximum for State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, however, the amount referred to in item (i) shall be increased, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, in equal increments calculated from the sum of the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 plus the applicable portion of the State's total debt service payments for fiscal year 2007 on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, so that, by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

(a-2) Beginning in fiscal year 2018, each employer under this Article shall pay to the System a required contribution determined as a percentage of projected payroll and sufficient to produce an annual amount equal to:

(i) for each of fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020, the defined benefit normal cost of the defined benefit plan, less the employee contribution, for each employee of that employer who has elected or who is deemed to have elected the benefits under Section 1-161 or who has made the election under subsection (c) of Section 1-161; for fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter, the defined benefit normal cost of the defined benefit plan, less the employee contribution, plus 2%, for each employee of that employer who has elected or who is deemed to have elected the benefits under Section 1-161 or who has made the election under subsection (c) of Section 1-161; plus

(ii) the amount required for that fiscal year to amortize any unfunded actuarial accrued liability associated with the present value of liabilities attributable to the employer's account under Section 15-155.2, determined as a level percentage of payroll over a 30-year rolling amortization period.

In determining contributions required under item (i) of this subsection, the System shall determine an aggregate rate for all employers, expressed as a percentage of projected payroll.

In determining the contributions required under item (ii) of this subsection, the amount shall be computed by the System on the basis of the actuarial assumptions and tables used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the System that is available at the time of the computation.

The contributions required under this subsection (a-2) shall be paid by an employer concurrently with that employer's payroll payment period. The State, as the actual employer of an employee, shall make the required contributions under this subsection.

As used in this subsection, "academic year" means the 12-month period beginning September 1.

(b) If an employee is paid from trust or federal funds, the employer shall pay to the Board contributions from those funds which are sufficient to cover the accruing normal costs on behalf of the employee. However, universities having employees who are compensated out of local auxiliary funds, income funds, or service enterprise funds are not required to pay such contributions on behalf of those employees. The local auxiliary funds, income funds, and service enterprise funds of universities shall not be considered trust funds for the purpose of this Article, but funds of alumni associations, foundations, and athletic associations which are affiliated with the universities included as employers under this Article and other employers which do not receive State appropriations are considered to be trust funds for the purpose of this Article.

(b-1) The City of Urbana and the City of Champaign shall each make employer contributions to this System for their respective firefighter employees who participate in this System pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 15-107. The rate of contributions to be made by those municipalities shall be determined annually by the Board on the basis of the actuarial assumptions adopted by the Board and the recommendations of the actuary, and shall be expressed as a percentage of salary for each such employee. The Board shall certify the rate to the affected municipalities as soon as may be practical. The employer contributions required under this subsection shall be remitted by the municipality to the System at the same time and in the same manner as employee contributions.

(c) Through State fiscal year 1995: The total employer contribution shall be apportioned among the various funds of the State and other employers, whether trust, federal, or other funds, in accordance with actuarial procedures approved by the Board. State of Illinois contributions for employers receiving State appropriations for personal services shall be payable from appropriations made to the employers or to the System. The contributions for Class I community colleges covering earnings other than those paid from trust and federal funds, shall be payable solely from appropriations to the Illinois Community College Board or the System for employer contributions.

(d) Beginning in State fiscal year 1996, the required State contributions to the System shall be appropriated directly to the System and shall be payable through vouchers issued in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 15-165, except as provided in subsection (g).

(e) The State Comptroller shall draw warrants payable to the System upon proper certification by the System or by the employer in accordance with the appropriation laws and this Code.

(f) Normal costs under this Section means liability for pensions and other benefits which accrues to the System because of the credits earned for service rendered by the participants during the fiscal year and expenses of administering the System, but shall not include the principal of or any redemption premium or interest on any bonds issued by the Board or any expenses incurred or deposits required in connection therewith.

(g) If the amount of a participant's earnings for any academic year used to determine the final rate of earnings, determined on a full-time equivalent basis, exceeds the amount of his or her earnings with the same employer for the previous academic year, determined on a full-time equivalent basis, by more than 6%, the participant's employer shall pay to the System, in addition to all other payments required under this Section and in accordance with guidelines established by the System, the present value of the increase in benefits resulting from the portion of the increase in earnings that is in excess of 6%. This present value shall be computed by the System on the basis of the actuarial assumptions and tables used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the System that is available at the time of the computation. The System may require the employer to provide any pertinent information or documentation.

Whenever it determines that a payment is or may be required under this subsection (g), the System shall calculate the amount of the payment and bill the employer for that amount. The bill shall specify the calculations used to determine the amount due. If the employer disputes the amount of the bill, it may, within 30 days after receipt of the bill, apply to the System in writing for a recalculation. The application must specify in detail the grounds of the dispute and, if the employer asserts that the calculation is subject to subsection (h), (h-5), or (i) of this Section, must include an affidavit setting forth and attesting to all facts within the employer's knowledge that are pertinent to the applicability of that subsection. Upon receiving a timely application for recalculation, the System shall review the application and, if appropriate, recalculate the amount due.

The employer contributions required under this subsection (g) may be paid in the form of a lump sum within 90 days after receipt of the bill. If the employer contributions are not paid within 90 days after receipt of the bill, then interest will be charged at a rate equal to the System's annual actuarially assumed rate of return on investment compounded annually from the 91st day after receipt of the bill. Payments must be concluded within 7 years after the employer's receipt of the bill.

When assessing payment for any amount due under this subsection (g), the System shall include earnings, to the extent not established by a participant under Section 15-113.11 or 15-113.12, that would have been paid to the participant had the participant not taken (i) periods of voluntary or involuntary furlough occurring on or after July 1, 2015 and on or before June 30, 2017 or (ii) periods of voluntary pay reduction in lieu of furlough occurring on or after July 1, 2015 and on or before June 30, 2017. Determining earnings that would have been paid to a participant had the participant not taken periods of voluntary or involuntary furlough or periods of voluntary pay reduction shall be the responsibility of the employer, and shall be reported in a manner prescribed by the System.

This subsection (g) does not apply to (1) Tier 2 hybrid plan members and (2) Tier 2 defined benefit members who first participate under this Article on or after the implementation date of the Optional Hybrid Plan.

(g-1) (Blank).

(h) This subsection (h) applies only to payments made or salary increases given on or after June 1, 2005 but before July 1, 2011. The changes made by Public Act 94-1057 shall not require the System to refund any payments received before July 31, 2006 (the effective date of Public Act 94-1057).

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude earnings increases paid to participants under contracts or collective bargaining agreements entered into, amended, or renewed before June 1, 2005.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude earnings increases paid to a participant at a time when the participant is 10 or more years from retirement eligibility under Section 15-135.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude earnings increases resulting from overload work, including a contract for summer teaching, or overtime when the employer has certified to the System, and the System has approved the certification, that: (i) in the case of overloads (A) the overload work is for the sole purpose of academic instruction in excess of the standard number of instruction hours for a full-time employee occurring during the academic year that the overload is paid and (B) the earnings increases are equal to or less than the rate of pay for academic instruction computed using the participant's current salary rate and work schedule; and (ii) in the case of overtime, the overtime was necessary for the educational mission.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude any earnings increase resulting from (i) a promotion for which the employee moves from one classification to a higher classification under the State Universities Civil Service System, (ii) a promotion in academic rank for a tenured or tenure-track faculty position, or (iii) a promotion that the Illinois Community College Board has recommended in accordance with subsection (k) of this Section. These earnings increases shall be excluded only if the promotion is to a position that has existed and been filled by a member for no less than one complete academic year and the earnings increase as a result of the promotion is an increase that results in an amount no greater than the average salary paid for other similar positions.

(h-5) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude any earnings increase paid in an academic year beginning on or after July 1, 2020 resulting from overload work performed in an academic year subsequent to an academic year in which the employer was unable to offer or allow to be conducted overload work due to an emergency declaration limiting such activities.

(i) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude any salary increase described in subsection (h) of this Section given on or after July 1, 2011 but before July 1, 2014 under a contract or collective bargaining agreement entered into, amended, or renewed on or after June 1, 2005 but before July 1, 2011. Except as provided in subsection (h-5), any payments made or salary increases given after June 30, 2014 shall be used in assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g) of this Section.

(j) The System shall prepare a report and file copies of the report with the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2007 that contains all of the following information:

(1) The number of recalculations required by the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-1057 for each employer.

(2) The dollar amount by which each employer's contribution to the System was changed due to recalculations required by Public Act 94-1057.

(3) The total amount the System received from each employer as a result of the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-4.

(4) The increase in the required State contribution resulting from the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-1057.

(j-5) For State fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2017, if the amount of a participant's earnings for any State fiscal year exceeds the amount of the salary set by law for the Governor that is in effect on July 1 of that fiscal year, the participant's employer shall pay to the System, in addition to all other payments required under this Section and in accordance with guidelines established by the System, an amount determined by the System to be equal to the employer normal cost, as established by the System and expressed as a total percentage of payroll, multiplied by the amount of earnings in excess of the amount of the salary set by law for the Governor. This amount shall be computed by the System on the basis of the actuarial assumptions and tables used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the System that is available at the time of the computation. The System may require the employer to provide any pertinent information or documentation.

Whenever it determines that a payment is or may be required under this subsection, the System shall calculate the amount of the payment and bill the employer for that amount. The bill shall specify the calculation used to determine the amount due. If the employer disputes the amount of the bill, it may, within 30 days after receipt of the bill, apply to the System in writing for a recalculation. The application must specify in detail the grounds of the dispute. Upon receiving a timely application for recalculation, the System shall review the application and, if appropriate, recalculate the amount due.

The employer contributions required under this subsection may be paid in the form of a lump sum within 90 days after issuance of the bill. If the employer contributions are not paid within 90 days after issuance of the bill, then interest will be charged at a rate equal to the System's annual actuarially assumed rate of return on investment compounded annually from the 91st day after issuance of the bill. All payments must be received within 3 years after issuance of the bill. If the employer fails to make complete payment, including applicable interest, within 3 years, then the System may, after giving notice to the employer, certify the delinquent amount to the State Comptroller, and the Comptroller shall thereupon deduct the certified delinquent amount from State funds payable to the employer and pay them instead to the System.

This subsection (j-5) does not apply to a participant's earnings to the extent an employer pays the employer normal cost of such earnings.

The changes made to this subsection (j-5) by Public Act 100-624 are intended to apply retroactively to July 6, 2017 (the effective date of Public Act 100-23).

(k) The Illinois Community College Board shall adopt rules for recommending lists of promotional positions submitted to the Board by community colleges and for reviewing the promotional lists on an annual basis. When recommending promotional lists, the Board shall consider the similarity of the positions submitted to those positions recognized for State universities by the State Universities Civil Service System. The Illinois Community College Board shall file a copy of its findings with the System. The System shall consider the findings of the Illinois Community College Board when making determinations under this Section. The System shall not exclude any earnings increases resulting from a promotion when the promotion was not submitted by a community college. Nothing in this subsection (k) shall require any community college to submit any information to the Community College Board.

(l) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the System, the value of the System's assets shall be equal to the actuarial value of the System's assets, which shall be calculated as follows:

As of June 30, 2008, the actuarial value of the System's assets shall be equal to the market value of the assets as of that date. In determining the actuarial value of the System's assets for fiscal years after June 30, 2008, any actuarial gains or losses from investment return incurred in a fiscal year shall be recognized in equal annual amounts over the 5-year period following that fiscal year.

(m) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the system for a particular year, the actuarial value of assets shall be assumed to earn a rate of return equal to the system's actuarially assumed rate of return.

(Source: P.A. 104-284, eff. 1-1-26.)

(40 ILCS 5/16-158) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-158)

Sec. 16-158. Contributions by State and other employing units.

(a) The State shall make contributions to the System by means of appropriations from the Common School Fund and other State funds of amounts which, together with other employer contributions, employee contributions, investment income, and other income, will be sufficient to meet the cost of maintaining and administering the System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

The Board shall determine the amount of State contributions required for each fiscal year on the basis of the actuarial tables and other assumptions adopted by the Board and the recommendations of the actuary, using the formula in subsection (b-3) or Section 1A-202, whichever is applicable.

(a-1) Annually, on or before November 15 until November 15, 2011, the Board shall certify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution for the coming fiscal year. The certification under this subsection (a-1) shall include a copy of the actuarial recommendations upon which it is based and shall specifically identify the System's projected State normal cost for that fiscal year.

On or before May 1, 2004, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2005, taking into account the amounts appropriated to and received by the System under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act.

On or before July 1, 2005, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2006, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by Public Act 94-4.

On or before April 1, 2011, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2011, applying the changes made by Public Act 96-889 to the System's assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2009 as though Public Act 96-889 was approved on that date.

(a-5) On or before November 1 of each year, beginning November 1, 2012, the Board shall submit to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly a proposed certification of the amount of the required State contribution to the System for the next fiscal year, along with all of the actuarial assumptions, calculations, and data upon which that proposed certification is based. On or before January 1 of each year, beginning January 1, 2013, the State Actuary shall issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed certification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. On or before January 15, 2013 and each January 15 thereafter, the Board shall certify to the Governor and the General Assembly the amount of the required State contribution for the next fiscal year. The Board's certification must note any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

(a-10) By November 1, 2017, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly the amount of the State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2018, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by Public Act 100-23. The State Actuary shall review the assumptions and valuations underlying the Board's revised certification and issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed recertification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. The Board's final certification must note any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

(a-15) On or after June 15, 2019, but no later than June 30, 2019, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor and the General Assembly the amount of the State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2019, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by Public Act 100-587. The recalculation shall be made using assumptions adopted by the Board for the original fiscal year 2019 certification. The monthly voucher for the 12th month of fiscal year 2019 shall be paid by the Comptroller after the recertification required pursuant to this subsection is submitted to the Governor, Comptroller, and General Assembly. The recertification submitted to the General Assembly shall be filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate in electronic form only, in the manner that the Clerk and the Secretary shall direct.

(b) Through State fiscal year 1995, the State contributions shall be paid to the System in accordance with Section 18-7 of the School Code.

(b-1) Unless otherwise directed by the Comptroller under subsection (b-1.1) or as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Board shall submit vouchers for payment of State contributions to the System for the applicable month on the 15th day of each month, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable. The amount vouchered for a monthly payment shall total one-twelfth of the required annual State contribution certified under subsection (a-1). Beginning State fiscal year 2027 and through State fiscal year 2045, on the first day of each State fiscal year, the Board shall submit a voucher for the payment of the State contribution for that State fiscal year, as certified by the Board, whichever is applicable.

(b-1.1) Until State fiscal year 2027 and for State fiscal year 2046 or thereafter Beginning in State fiscal year 2025, if the Comptroller requests that the Board submit, during a State fiscal year, vouchers for multiple monthly payments for the advance payment of State contributions due to the System for that State fiscal year, then the Board shall submit those additional vouchers as directed by the Comptroller, notwithstanding subsection (b-1). Unless an act of appropriations provides otherwise, nothing in this Section authorizes the Board to submit, in a State fiscal year, vouchers for the payment of State contributions to the System in an amount that exceeds the rate of payroll that is certified by the System under this Section for that State fiscal year.

(b-1.2) The vouchers described in subsections (b-1) and (b-1.1) shall be paid by the State Comptroller and Treasurer by warrants drawn on the funds appropriated to the System for that fiscal year.

If in any month the amount remaining unexpended from all other appropriations to the System for the applicable fiscal year (including the appropriations to the System under Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act and Section 1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act) is less than the amount lawfully vouchered under this subsection, the difference shall be paid from the Common School Fund under the continuing appropriation authority provided in Section 1.1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act.

(b-2) Allocations from the Common School Fund apportioned to school districts not coming under this System shall not be diminished or affected by the provisions of this Article.

(b-3) For State fiscal years 2012 through 2031 2045, the minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be an amount determined by the System to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the System, not including proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds, up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System by the end of State fiscal year 2045. In making these determinations, the required State contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2045 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds issued under Section 1A-202 may not be used to satisfy or replace any minimum contribution required under this Section or this Code.

For State fiscal years 2032 through 2045, the minimum contribution to the System shall be the amount determined under Section 1A-202.

For each of State fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020, the State shall make an additional contribution to the System equal to 2% of the total payroll of each employee who is deemed to have elected the benefits under Section 1-161 or who has made the election under subsection (c) of Section 1-161.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applies in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter shall be implemented in equal annual amounts over a 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applies to the required State contribution.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applied to the State contribution in fiscal year 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 shall be implemented:

(i) as already applied in State fiscal years before 2018; and

(ii) in the portion of the 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applied that occurs in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter, by calculating the change in equal annual amounts over that 5-year period and then implementing it at the resulting annual rate in each of the remaining fiscal years in that 5-year period.

For State fiscal years 1996 through 2005, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate required under this Section; except that in the following specified State fiscal years, the State contribution to the System shall not be less than the following indicated percentages of the applicable employee payroll, even if the indicated percentage will produce a State contribution in excess of the amount otherwise required under this subsection and subsection (a), and notwithstanding any contrary certification made under subsection (a-1) before May 27, 1998 (the effective date of Public Act 90-582): 10.02% in FY 1999; 10.77% in FY 2000; 11.47% in FY 2001; 12.16% in FY 2002; 12.86% in FY 2003; and 13.56% in FY 2004.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2006 is $534,627,700.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $738,014,500.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2009, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments from the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007, so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2010 is $2,089,268,000 and shall be made from the proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2010 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the Common School Fund in fiscal year 2010, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2011 is the amount recertified by the System on or before April 1, 2011 pursuant to subsection (a-1) of this Section and shall be made from the proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2011 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the Common School Fund in fiscal year 2011, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable. This amount shall include, in addition to the amount certified by the System, an amount necessary to meet employer contributions required by the State as an employer under paragraph (e) of this Section, which may also be used by the System for contributions required by paragraph (a) of Section 16-127.

Beginning in State fiscal year 2046, the minimum State contribution for each fiscal year shall be the amount needed to maintain the total assets of the System at 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System.

Amounts received by the System pursuant to Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act or Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act in any fiscal year do not reduce and do not constitute payment of any portion of the minimum State contribution required under this Article in that fiscal year. Such amounts shall not reduce, and shall not be included in the calculation of, the required State contributions under this Article in any future year until the System has reached a funding ratio of at least 90%. A reference in this Article to the "required State contribution" or any substantially similar term does not include or apply to any amounts payable to the System under Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2005 and for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, as calculated under this Section and certified under subsection (a-1), shall not exceed an amount equal to (i) the amount of the required State contribution that would have been calculated under this Section for that fiscal year if the System had not received any payments under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, minus (ii) the portion of the State's total debt service payments for that fiscal year on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of that Section 7.2, as determined and certified by the Comptroller, that is the same as the System's portion of the total moneys distributed under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act. In determining this maximum for State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, however, the amount referred to in item (i) shall be increased, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, in equal increments calculated from the sum of the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 plus the applicable portion of the State's total debt service payments for fiscal year 2007 on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, so that, by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

(b-4) Beginning in fiscal year 2018, each employer under this Article shall pay to the System a required contribution determined as a percentage of projected payroll and sufficient to produce an annual amount equal to:

(i) for each of fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020, the defined benefit normal cost of the defined benefit plan, less the employee contribution, for each employee of that employer who has elected or who is deemed to have elected the benefits under Section 1-161 or who has made the election under subsection (b) of Section 1-161; for fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter, the defined benefit normal cost of the defined benefit plan, less the employee contribution, plus 2%, for each employee of that employer who has elected or who is deemed to have elected the benefits under Section 1-161 or who has made the election under subsection (b) of Section 1-161; plus

(ii) the amount required for that fiscal year to amortize any unfunded actuarial accrued liability associated with the present value of liabilities attributable to the employer's account under Section 16-158.3, determined as a level percentage of payroll over a 30-year rolling amortization period.

In determining contributions required under item (i) of this subsection, the System shall determine an aggregate rate for all employers, expressed as a percentage of projected payroll.

In determining the contributions required under item (ii) of this subsection, the amount shall be computed by the System on the basis of the actuarial assumptions and tables used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the System that is available at the time of the computation.

The contributions required under this subsection (b-4) shall be paid by an employer concurrently with that employer's payroll payment period. The State, as the actual employer of an employee, shall make the required contributions under this subsection.

(c) Payment of the required State contributions and of all pensions, retirement annuities, death benefits, refunds, and other benefits granted under or assumed by this System, and all expenses in connection with the administration and operation thereof, are obligations of the State.

If members are paid from special trust or federal funds which are administered by the employing unit, whether school district or other unit, the employing unit shall pay to the System from such funds the full accruing retirement costs based upon that service, which, beginning July 1, 2017, shall be at a rate, expressed as a percentage of salary, equal to the total employer's normal cost, expressed as a percentage of payroll, as determined by the System. Employer contributions, based on salary paid to members from federal funds, may be forwarded by the distributing agency of the State of Illinois to the System prior to allocation, in an amount determined in accordance with guidelines established by such agency and the System. Any contribution for fiscal year 2015 collected as a result of the change made by Public Act 98-674 shall be considered a State contribution under subsection (b-3) of this Section.

(d) Effective July 1, 1986, any employer of a teacher as defined in paragraph (8) of Section 16-106 shall pay the employer's normal cost of benefits based upon the teacher's service, in addition to employee contributions, as determined by the System. Such employer contributions shall be forwarded monthly in accordance with guidelines established by the System.

However, with respect to benefits granted under Section 16-133.4 or 16-133.5 to a teacher as defined in paragraph (8) of Section 16-106, the employer's contribution shall be 12% (rather than 20%) of the member's highest annual salary rate for each year of creditable service granted, and the employer shall also pay the required employee contribution on behalf of the teacher. For the purposes of Sections 16-133.4 and 16-133.5, a teacher as defined in paragraph (8) of Section 16-106 who is serving in that capacity while on leave of absence from another employer under this Article shall not be considered an employee of the employer from which the teacher is on leave.

(e) Beginning July 1, 1998, every employer of a teacher shall pay to the System an employer contribution computed as follows:

(1) Beginning July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999, the employer contribution shall be equal to 0.3% of each teacher's salary.

(2) Beginning July 1, 1999 and thereafter, the employer contribution shall be equal to 0.58% of each teacher's salary. The school district or other employing unit may pay these employer contributions out of any source of funding available for that purpose and shall forward the contributions to the System on the schedule established for the payment of member contributions.

These employer contributions are intended to offset a portion of the cost to the System of the increases in retirement benefits resulting from Public Act 90-582.

Each employer of teachers is entitled to a credit against the contributions required under this subsection (e) with respect to salaries paid to teachers for the period January 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003, equal to the amount paid by that employer under subsection (a-5) of Section 6.6 of the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 with respect to salaries paid to teachers for that period.

The additional 1% employee contribution required under Section 16-152 by Public Act 90-582 is the responsibility of the teacher and not the teacher's employer, unless the employer agrees, through collective bargaining or otherwise, to make the contribution on behalf of the teacher.

If an employer is required by a contract in effect on May 1, 1998 between the employer and an employee organization to pay, on behalf of all its full-time employees covered by this Article, all mandatory employee contributions required under this Article, then the employer shall be excused from paying the employer contribution required under this subsection (e) for the balance of the term of that contract. The employer and the employee organization shall jointly certify to the System the existence of the contractual requirement, in such form as the System may prescribe. This exclusion shall cease upon the termination, extension, or renewal of the contract at any time after May 1, 1998.

(f) If the amount of a teacher's salary for any school year used to determine final average salary exceeds the member's annual full-time salary rate with the same employer for the previous school year by more than 6%, the teacher's employer shall pay to the System, in addition to all other payments required under this Section and in accordance with guidelines established by the System, the present value of the increase in benefits resulting from the portion of the increase in salary that is in excess of 6%. This present value shall be computed by the System on the basis of the actuarial assumptions and tables used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the System that is available at the time of the computation. If a teacher's salary for the 2005-2006 school year is used to determine final average salary under this subsection (f), then the changes made to this subsection (f) by Public Act 94-1057 shall apply in calculating whether the increase in his or her salary is in excess of 6%. For the purposes of this Section, change in employment under Section 10-21.12 of the School Code on or after June 1, 2005 shall constitute a change in employer. The System may require the employer to provide any pertinent information or documentation. The changes made to this subsection (f) by Public Act 94-1111 apply without regard to whether the teacher was in service on or after its effective date.

Whenever it determines that a payment is or may be required under this subsection, the System shall calculate the amount of the payment and bill the employer for that amount. The bill shall specify the calculations used to determine the amount due. If the employer disputes the amount of the bill, it may, within 30 days after receipt of the bill, apply to the System in writing for a recalculation. The application must specify in detail the grounds of the dispute and, if the employer asserts that the calculation is subject to subsection (g), (g-5), (g-10), (g-15), (g-20), or (h) of this Section, must include an affidavit setting forth and attesting to all facts within the employer's knowledge that are pertinent to the applicability of that subsection. Upon receiving a timely application for recalculation, the System shall review the application and, if appropriate, recalculate the amount due.

The employer contributions required under this subsection (f) may be paid in the form of a lump sum within 90 days after receipt of the bill. If the employer contributions are not paid within 90 days after receipt of the bill, then interest will be charged at a rate equal to the System's annual actuarially assumed rate of return on investment compounded annually from the 91st day after receipt of the bill. Payments must be concluded within 7 years after the employer's receipt of the bill.

(f-1) (Blank).

(g) This subsection (g) applies only to payments made or salary increases given on or after June 1, 2005 but before July 1, 2011. The changes made by Public Act 94-1057 shall not require the System to refund any payments received before July 31, 2006 (the effective date of Public Act 94-1057).

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases paid to teachers under contracts or collective bargaining agreements entered into, amended, or renewed before June 1, 2005.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases paid to a teacher at a time when the teacher is 10 or more years from retirement eligibility under Section 16-132 or 16-133.2.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases resulting from overload work, including summer school, when the school district has certified to the System, and the System has approved the certification, that (i) the overload work is for the sole purpose of classroom instruction in excess of the standard number of classes for a full-time teacher in a school district during a school year and (ii) the salary increases are equal to or less than the rate of pay for classroom instruction computed on the teacher's current salary and work schedule.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude a salary increase resulting from a promotion (i) for which the employee is required to hold a certificate or supervisory endorsement issued by the State Teacher Certification Board that is a different certification or supervisory endorsement than is required for the teacher's previous position and (ii) to a position that has existed and been filled by a member for no less than one complete academic year and the salary increase from the promotion is an increase that results in an amount no greater than the lesser of the average salary paid for other similar positions in the district requiring the same certification or the amount stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement for a similar position requiring the same certification.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude any payment to the teacher from the State of Illinois or the State Board of Education over which the employer does not have discretion, notwithstanding that the payment is included in the computation of final average salary.

(g-5) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases resulting from overload or stipend work performed in a school year subsequent to a school year in which the employer was unable to offer or allow to be conducted overload or stipend work due to an emergency declaration limiting such activities.

(g-10) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases resulting from increased instructional time that exceeded the instructional time required during the 2019-2020 school year.

(g-15) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases resulting from teaching summer school on or after May 1, 2021 and before September 15, 2022.

(g-20) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases necessary to bring a school board in compliance with Public Act 101-443 or this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly.

(h) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude any salary increase described in subsection (g) of this Section given on or after July 1, 2011 but before July 1, 2014 under a contract or collective bargaining agreement entered into, amended, or renewed on or after June 1, 2005 but before July 1, 2011. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, any payments made or salary increases given after June 30, 2014 shall be used in assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f) of this Section.

(i) The System shall prepare a report and file copies of the report with the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2007 that contains all of the following information:

(1) The number of recalculations required by the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-1057 for each employer.

(2) The dollar amount by which each employer's contribution to the System was changed due to recalculations required by Public Act 94-1057.

(3) The total amount the System received from each employer as a result of the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-4.

(4) The increase in the required State contribution resulting from the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-1057.

(i-5) For school years beginning on or after July 1, 2017, if the amount of a participant's salary for any school year exceeds the amount of the salary set for the Governor, the participant's employer shall pay to the System, in addition to all other payments required under this Section and in accordance with guidelines established by the System, an amount determined by the System to be equal to the employer normal cost, as established by the System and expressed as a total percentage of payroll, multiplied by the amount of salary in excess of the amount of the salary set for the Governor. This amount shall be computed by the System on the basis of the actuarial assumptions and tables used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the System that is available at the time of the computation. The System may require the employer to provide any pertinent information or documentation.

Whenever it determines that a payment is or may be required under this subsection, the System shall calculate the amount of the payment and bill the employer for that amount. The bill shall specify the calculations used to determine the amount due. If the employer disputes the amount of the bill, it may, within 30 days after receipt of the bill, apply to the System in writing for a recalculation. The application must specify in detail the grounds of the dispute. Upon receiving a timely application for recalculation, the System shall review the application and, if appropriate, recalculate the amount due.

The employer contributions required under this subsection may be paid in the form of a lump sum within 90 days after receipt of the bill. If the employer contributions are not paid within 90 days after receipt of the bill, then interest will be charged at a rate equal to the System's annual actuarially assumed rate of return on investment compounded annually from the 91st day after receipt of the bill. Payments must be concluded within 3 years after the employer's receipt of the bill.

(j) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the System, the value of the System's assets shall be equal to the actuarial value of the System's assets, which shall be calculated as follows:

As of June 30, 2008, the actuarial value of the System's assets shall be equal to the market value of the assets as of that date. In determining the actuarial value of the System's assets for fiscal years after June 30, 2008, any actuarial gains or losses from investment return incurred in a fiscal year shall be recognized in equal annual amounts over the 5-year period following that fiscal year.

(k) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the system for a particular year, the actuarial value of assets shall be assumed to earn a rate of return equal to the system's actuarially assumed rate of return.

(Source: P.A. 103-515, eff. 8-11-23; 103-588, eff. 6-5-24; 104-284, eff. 1-1-26.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-131) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-131)

Sec. 18-131. Financing; employer contributions.

(a) The State of Illinois shall make contributions to this System by appropriations of the amounts which, together with the contributions of participants, net earnings on investments, and other income, will meet the costs of maintaining and administering this System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

(b) The Board shall determine the amount of State contributions required for each fiscal year on the basis of the actuarial tables and other assumptions adopted by the Board and the prescribed rate of interest, using the formula in subsection (c) or Section 1A-202, whichever is applicable.

(c) For State fiscal years 2012 through 2031 2045, the minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be an amount determined by the System to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the System, not including proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds, up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System by the end of State fiscal year 2045. In making these determinations, the required State contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2045 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Proceeds derived from the sale of pension obligation bonds issued under Section 1A-202 may not be used to satisfy or replace any minimum contribution required under this Section or this Code.

For State fiscal years 2032 through 2045, the minimum contribution to the System shall be the amount determined under Section 1A-202.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applies in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter shall be implemented in equal annual amounts over a 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applies to the required State contribution.

A change in an actuarial or investment assumption that increases or decreases the required State contribution and first applied to the State contribution in fiscal year 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 shall be implemented:

(i) as already applied in State fiscal years before 2018; and

(ii) in the portion of the 5-year period beginning in the State fiscal year in which the actuarial change first applied that occurs in State fiscal year 2018 or thereafter, by calculating the change in equal annual amounts over that 5-year period and then implementing it at the resulting annual rate in each of the remaining fiscal years in that 5-year period.

For State fiscal years 1996 through 2005, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2006 is $29,189,400.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $35,236,800.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2009, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments from the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007, so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2010 is $78,832,000 and shall be made from the proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2010 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2010, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2011 is the amount recertified by the System on or before April 1, 2011 pursuant to Section 18-140 and shall be made from the proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2011 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2011, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Beginning in State fiscal year 2046, the minimum State contribution for each fiscal year shall be the amount needed to maintain the total assets of the System at 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System.

Amounts received by the System pursuant to Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act or Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act in any fiscal year do not reduce and do not constitute payment of any portion of the minimum State contribution required under this Article in that fiscal year. Such amounts shall not reduce, and shall not be included in the calculation of, the required State contributions under this Article in any future year until the System has reached a funding ratio of at least 90%. A reference in this Article to the "required State contribution" or any substantially similar term does not include or apply to any amounts payable to the System under Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2005 and for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, as calculated under this Section and certified under Section 18-140, shall not exceed an amount equal to (i) the amount of the required State contribution that would have been calculated under this Section for that fiscal year if the System had not received any payments under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, minus (ii) the portion of the State's total debt service payments for that fiscal year on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of that Section 7.2, as determined and certified by the Comptroller, that is the same as the System's portion of the total moneys distributed under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act. In determining this maximum for State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, however, the amount referred to in item (i) shall be increased, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, in equal increments calculated from the sum of the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 plus the applicable portion of the State's total debt service payments for fiscal year 2007 on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, so that, by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

(d) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the System, the value of the System's assets shall be equal to the actuarial value of the System's assets, which shall be calculated as follows:

As of June 30, 2008, the actuarial value of the System's assets shall be equal to the market value of the assets as of that date. In determining the actuarial value of the System's assets for fiscal years after June 30, 2008, any actuarial gains or losses from investment return incurred in a fiscal year shall be recognized in equal annual amounts over the 5-year period following that fiscal year.

(e) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the system for a particular year, the actuarial value of assets shall be assumed to earn a rate of return equal to the system's actuarially assumed rate of return.

(Source: P.A. 100-23, eff. 7-6-17.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-140) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-140)

Sec. 18-140. To certify required State contributions and submit vouchers.

(a) The Board shall certify to the Governor, on or before November 15 of each year until November 15, 2011, the amount of the required State contribution to the System for the following fiscal year and shall specifically identify the System's projected State normal cost for that fiscal year. The certification shall include a copy of the actuarial recommendations upon which it is based and shall specifically identify the System's projected State normal cost for that fiscal year.

On or before November 1 of each year, beginning November 1, 2012, the Board shall submit to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly a proposed certification of the amount of the required State contribution to the System for the next fiscal year, along with all of the actuarial assumptions, calculations, and data upon which that proposed certification is based. On or before January 1 of each year beginning January 1, 2013, the State Actuary shall issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed certification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. On or before January 15, 2013 and every January 15 thereafter, the Board shall certify to the Governor and the General Assembly the amount of the required State contribution for the next fiscal year. The Board's certification must note any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

On or before May 1, 2004, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2005, taking into account the amounts appropriated to and received by the System under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act.

On or before July 1, 2005, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2006, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

On or before April 1, 2011, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2011, applying the changes made by Public Act 96-889 to the System's assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2009 as though Public Act 96-889 was approved on that date.

By November 1, 2017, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly the amount of the State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2018, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. The State Actuary shall review the assumptions and valuations underlying the Board's revised certification and issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed recertification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. The Board's final certification must note any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

(b) Unless otherwise directed by the Comptroller under subsection (b-1) or as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Board shall submit vouchers for payment of State contributions to the System for the applicable month on the 15th day of each month, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable. The amount vouchered for a monthly payment shall total one-twelfth of the required annual State contribution certified under subsection (a). Beginning State fiscal year 2027 and through State fiscal year 2045, on the first day of each State fiscal year, the Board shall submit a voucher for the payment of the State contribution for that State fiscal year, as certified by the Board or the State Actuary, whichever is applicable.

(b-1) Until State fiscal year 2027 and for State fiscal year 2046 and thereafter Beginning in State fiscal year 2025, if the Comptroller requests that the Board submit, during a State fiscal year, vouchers for multiple monthly payments for the advance payment of State contributions due to the System for that State fiscal year, then the Board shall submit those additional vouchers as directed by the Comptroller, notwithstanding subsection (b). Unless an act of appropriations provides otherwise, nothing in this Section authorizes the Board to submit, in a State fiscal year, vouchers for the payment of State contributions to the System in an amount that exceeds the rate of payroll that is certified by the System under this Section for that State fiscal year.

(b-2) The vouchers described in subsections (b) and (b-1) shall be paid by the State Comptroller and Treasurer by warrants drawn on the funds appropriated to the System for that fiscal year.

If in any month the amount remaining unexpended from all other appropriations to the System for the applicable fiscal year (including the appropriations to the System under Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act and Section 1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act) is less than the amount lawfully vouchered under this Section, the difference shall be paid from the General Revenue Fund under the continuing appropriation authority provided in Section 1.1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 6-5-24.)

Section 20. The State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act is amended by changing Section 1.1 as follows:

(40 ILCS 15/1.1)

Sec. 1.1. Appropriations to certain retirement systems.

(a) There is hereby appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the General Assembly Retirement System, on a continuing monthly basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other appropriations to that retirement system for the payment of State contributions is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the retirement system for that month under Section 2-134 of the Illinois Pension Code.

For State fiscal years 2027 through 2045, there is hereby appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the General Assembly Retirement System, on a continuing annual basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other appropriations to that retirement system for the payment of State contributions is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the retirement system for that State fiscal year under Section 2-134 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(b) There is hereby appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the State Universities Retirement System, on a continuing monthly basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other appropriations to that retirement system for the payment of State contributions, including any deficiency in the required contributions of the optional retirement program established under Section 15-158.2 of the Illinois Pension Code, is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the retirement system for that month under Section 15-165 of the Illinois Pension Code.

For State fiscal years 2027 through 2045, there is hereby appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the State Universities Retirement System, on a continuing annual basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other appropriations to that retirement system for the payment of State contributions, including any deficiency in the required contributions of the optional retirement program established under Section 15-158.2 of the Illinois Pension Code, is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the retirement system for that State fiscal year under Section 15-165 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(c) There is hereby appropriated from the Common School Fund to the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, on a continuing monthly basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other appropriations to that retirement system for the payment of State contributions is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the retirement system for that month under Section 16-158 of the Illinois Pension Code.

For State fiscal years 2027 through 2045, there is hereby appropriated from the Common School Fund to the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, on a continuing annual basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other appropriations to that retirement system for the payment of State contributions is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the retirement system for that State fiscal year under Section 16-158 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(d) There is hereby appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Judges Retirement System of Illinois, on a continuing monthly basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other appropriations to that retirement system for the payment of State contributions is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the retirement system for that month under Section 18-140 of the Illinois Pension Code.

For State fiscal years 2027 through 2045, there is hereby appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Judges Retirement System of Illinois, on a continuing annual basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other appropriations to that retirement system for the payment of State contributions is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the retirement system for that State fiscal year under Section 18-140 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(e) The continuing appropriations provided by subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this Section shall first be available in State fiscal year 1996. The continuing appropriations provided by subsection (h) of this Section shall first be available as provided in that subsection (h).

(f) For State fiscal year 2010 only, the continuing appropriations provided by this Section are equal to the amount certified by each System on or before December 31, 2008, less (i) the gross proceeds of the bonds sold in fiscal year 2010 under the authorization contained in subsection (a) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act and (ii) any amounts received from the State Pensions Fund.

(g) For State fiscal year 2011 only, the continuing appropriations provided by this Section are equal to the amount certified by each System on or before April 1, 2011, less (i) the gross proceeds of the bonds sold in fiscal year 2011 under the authorization contained in subsection (a) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act and (ii) any amounts received from the State Pensions Fund.

(h) There is hereby appropriated from the Common School Fund to the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago, on a continuing basis, the amount, if any, by which the total available amount of all other State appropriations to that Retirement Fund for the payment of State contributions under Section 17-127 of the Illinois Pension Code is less than the total amount of the vouchers for required State contributions lawfully submitted by the Retirement Fund or the State Board of Education, under that Section 17-127.

(Source: P.A. 100-465, eff. 8-31-17.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.