Lissa McCabe
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Illinoisloddbenifits ILLINOIS
DEATH BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
STATE DEATH BENEFITS
Illinois Compiled Statutes 820 ILCS 315/ The Illinois Line of Duty Compensation Act provides for benefits to the families of Illinois officers that have fallen in the line of duty. The amount for those lost in 2018 is $357,005 and for those lost in 2019, the amount is $367,358. Each year the amount is increased according to the Consumer Price Index.
Contact the Illinois Secretary of State Court of Claims Office by calling 217-782-7101 (Springfield) or 312-814-5010 (Chicago). You may also submit a claim online by visiting http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/court_of_claims/home.html.
EDUCATION BENEFITS
The children, under age 25, and the surviving spouse of any police officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty while serving the State or any local public entity in Illinois are eligible to receive a waiver of tuition and matriculation and registration fees for a total of 120 credit hours.
This benefit is provided for attendance at state vocational-technical schools, public community colleges, and State universities, and may be either full-time or part-time.
For more information contact the Illinois Student Assistance Commission at 1755 Lake Crook RD, Deerfield, IL 60015. Office: (800) 899-4722. You may also visit https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/grants/grnt-prgm-depP-F-ofcrs.html to apply.
CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS provides financial assistance of up to $1,500 per semester to surviving children and surviving spouses of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, according to C.O.P.S. criteria, who wish to pursue a course of study beyond high school. Since there is a tuition-free education benefit available in your state, you must first apply for and be denied by the state or the institution to be eligible for the C.O.P.S. scholarship.
How to Apply: https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/scholarship
The PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS' EDUCATION ASSISTANCE (PSOEA) Program provides financial assistance, for the purpose of seeking higher education, to the spouses and eligible children
CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS (C.O.P.S.) (573) 346-4911
COPS@NATIONALCOPS.ORG CONCERNSOFPOLICESURVIVORS.ORG This information is compiled by National C.O.P.S.
Revised 2020
of local police, fire, and emergency public safety officers who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Educational assistance through the PSOEA Program is available after the Public Safety Officers' Benefit (PSOB) death or disability claim process has been completed and benefits have been awarded.
Visit https://psob.bja.ojp.gov/ for more information and the application or call the PSOB Office toll-free at 1-888-744-6513 to discuss the requirements for receiving PSOEA benefits.
KIDS CHANCE OF ILLINOIS - To be eligible for a scholarship grant, applicants must have a parent who has been killed or seriously injured as a result of a work related incident that meets the criteria of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act and that has resulted in demonstrated financial need. Applicants must be between the ages of 18-25.
For application instructions or more information, call (847) 543-4842, email kidschanceofillinois@gmail.com or visit https://www.kidschanceofillinois.com/
HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS
An employer who employs a full-time law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officer, or firefighter, who suffers a catastrophic injury or is killed in the line of duty shall pay the entire premium of the employer's health insurance plan for the injured employee, the injured employee's spouse, and for each dependent child of the injured employee until the child reaches the age of majority or until the end of the calendar year in which the child reaches the age of 25 if the child continues to be dependent for support or the child is a full-time or part-time student and is dependent for support. The employer shall continue to pay the entire health insurance premium for the surviving spouse until remarried. The term "health insurance plan" does not include supplemental benefits that are not part of the basic group health insurance plan.
In order for the law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officer, firefighter, spouse, or dependent children to be eligible for insurance coverage, the injury or death must have occurred as the result of the officer's response to fresh pursuit, the officer or firefighter's response to what is reasonably believed to be an emergency, an unlawful act perpetrated by another, or during the investigation of a criminal act. Talk to Human Resources in your department for more information
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
The benefit is two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the employee's gross average weekly wage during the 52 weeks before the injury, subject to minimum and maximum limits. The minimums and maximums for the survivors' benefit are available in Commission offices and online at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/resources/Pages/benefits.aspx.
CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS (C.O.P.S.) (573) 346-4911
COPS@NATIONALCOPS.ORG CONCERNSOFPOLICESURVIVORS.ORG This information is compiled by National C.O.P.S.
Revised 2020
The primary beneficiaries of the survivors' benefit are the spouse and children under the age of 18. If no primary beneficiaries exist, benefits may be paid to totally dependent parents. If no totally dependent parents exist, benefits may be paid to persons who were at least 50% dependent on the employee at the time of death.
If the surviving spouse remarries, benefits will continue if there are eligible children. If there are no eligible children at the time of remarriage, the spouse is entitled to a final lump sum payment equal to two years of compensation. All rights to further benefits are extinguished. If a case is decided by an arbitrator, recipients of the survivors' benefit will be entitled to cost-of-living adjustments. Beginning on the second July 15th after the award became final, the recipient will receive an amount from the Commission's Rate Adjustment Fund that reflects the increase in the statewide average weekly wage during the preceding year. These payments are made monthly.
Visit the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Pages/default.aspx or call (866) 352-3033.
STATE LIFE INSURANCE - RETIREMENT
Check with your agency to see if you are eligible for State Life Insurance or death benefits from a Retirement system. You can also visit: State Employees Retirement System (SERS) https://srs.illinois.gov/SERS/home_sers.htm Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Plan(IMRF) http://www.imrf.org/
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS' BENEFITS (PSOB) PROGRAM
A unique effort of the U.S. Department of Justice; local, state, tribal, and federal public safety agencies; and national organizations, the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty.
The claim has two parts (A&B) that require the agency and family to fill out online. Visit https://psob.bja.ojp.gov/ for additional filing information. If you need assistance filing this claim, contact the National C.O.P.S. office at (573) 346-4911 or cops@nationalcops.org
FUNERAL BENEFITS
Workers' Compensation pays a burial benefit of $8,000 for injuries resulting in death occurring after February 1, 2006. See Workers' Compensation section above.
First Responder Duty Death Benefits (HB 2028/PA 101-0028) took effect January 1, 2020. This bill increases the maximum burial expenses that can be paid to the surviving spouse or estate of a law-enforcement officer or fireman who is killed in the line of duty after June 30,
CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS (C.O.P.S.) (573) 346-4911
COPS@NATIONALCOPS.ORG CONCERNSOFPOLICESURVIVORS.ORG This information is compiled by National C.O.P.S.
Revised 2020
2018, from $10,000 to $20,000. See State Death Benefit section above for application instructions.
DIGNITY MEMORIAL FUNERAL, CREMATION AND CEMETERY providers created the Public Servants Program for emergency service personnel. This program provides dignified and honorable tributes, at no cost, for career and volunteer law enforcement officers who fall in the line of duty. Visit their website for complete information at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/ and look under Public Servants for details. You may also call 800-344-6489 and speak with a representative.
WILBERT FUNERAL SERVICES, INC. provides complimentary burial vaults and related services for fallen law enforcement officers. For more information visit https://www.wilbert.com/ or call (888) WILBERT.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
PEER SUPPORT ORGANIZATION CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS INC., (C.O.P.S.), is a national, non-profit organization that works with law enforcement agencies, police organizations, mental health professionals, and local peer-support organizations to provide assistance to surviving families of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. C.O.P.S. provides Hands-On Programs, training for law enforcement, National Police Week registration/accommodations, scholarships, counseling and so much more to surviving families and co-workers.
Contact the C.O.P.S. National Office (800) 784-2611, email cops@nationalcops.orgor visit https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/local-chapters for information on a chapter in your area. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. CST.
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT Spouses, children, or parents may be eligible for Social Security Benefits. To apply for benefits, call (800) 772-1213 to speak to a Social Security representative or visit your local Social Security Office. You cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. Visit https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html for more information.
Through the Illinois Crime Victim's Compensation Act, the Court of Claims administers funding to victims of violent crimes who have inadequate insurance or no source of funds to cover expenses resulting from the crime, including medical bills, counseling, lost wages and other expenses. To be eligible for assistance:
1. You must report the crime within 72 hours to law enforcement or seven days for sexual violence, unless unable to do so. You must also cooperate with law enforcement.
2. You cannot contribute to the injury or death of a person by engaging in wrongful conduct or provocation.
3. You must complete and file an application within two years of the crime or within one year of the criminal indictment. The application is available to download, or you may CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS (C.O.P.S.) (573) 346-4911 COPS@NATIONALCOPS.ORG CONCERNSOFPOLICESURVIVORS.ORG This information is compiled by National C.O.P.S. Revised 2020
receive an application and assistance completing it through the Illinois Attorney General's office or your local police department.
Contact the Illinois Secretary of State Court of Claims Office by calling 217-782-7101 (Springfield) or 312-814-5010 (Chicago). You may also submit a claim online by visiting http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/court_of_claims/home.html.
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE or other labor/fraternal groups may provide a one-time death benefit and/or education benefits to family members of a deceased member officer. Visit http://www.ilfop.org/ to find your local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
100 CLUBS The HUNDRED CLUB OF DUPAGE COUNTY provides death, disability, and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, residing or working in DuPage County, who have lost their lives or severely injured, whether or not the incident was duty related. Call 630-375-7622 or visit https://www.hundredclubofdupage.org/.
The 100 CLUB OF CHICAGO responds to tragedy in Cook or Lake County with financial, educational, counseling, and legal assistance. Call 312-265-0920 or visit www.100clubchicago.org.
The HUNDRED CLUB OF EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS, INC. call 815-473-4404.
The HUNDRED CLUB OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY. Call 815-777-9356.
The HUNDRED CLUB OF KANKAKEE COUNTY. Call 815-933-5529 or visit www.the100clubkankakeecounty.org.
The HUNDRED CLUB OF WILL COUNTY Call 815-641-0677 or visit 100clubwillcounty.com.
SOUTHERN STATES POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, INC www.sspba.org
First Responders Children's Foundation provides financial support to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardships due to tragic circumstances. They also provide annual education scholarships to children of fallen heroes. For more information, call (646) 822-4236 or visit https://1strcf.org.
OTHER BENEFITS TO ASK YOUR AGENCY ABOUT: City life insurance? Private life insurance? County & Local Jurisdiction Benefits? Retirement Benefits? Real estate tax relief?
CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS (C.O.P.S.) (573) 346-4911
COPS@NATIONALCOPS.ORG CONCERNSOFPOLICESURVIVORS.ORG This information is compiled by National C.O.P.S.
Revised 2020
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