Cunningham advances measure for Chicago police and fire COVID disability benefits

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation that presumes that Chicago police and firefighters who became disabled as a result of COVID-19 from March 9, 2020 to June 30, 2021, contracted COVID-19 while on the job.

"Let’s right the wrongs that have been done to those who put their lives on the line for the people of Chicago," said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. "As we’ve learned, this legislation is just the right thing to do for the emergency first responder community and I look forward to passing it through the Senate."

As a result of this presumption, affected police officers and firefighters would be entitled to 75% of their salary at the time of disability and duty disability benefits, instead of the current 50% under ordinary disability benefits. The bill applies retroactively, providing relief to those who were denied full duty disability benefits after contracting COVID-19 while on the job.

The bill has a personal connection to Comptroller Susana Mendoza, as her brother was denied full duty disability benefits after contracting COVID-19 while working 17 straight days before a vaccine was available in November 2020. Police Sergeant Joaquin Mendoza spent 72 days in the hospital, suffered kidney failure, had five strokes, and lost the use of his left arm. If he had been granted full duty disability, he would have received 75% of his salary and free health insurance.

“Outside of Chicago, these protections are already in place for emergency first responders, it’s time to include Chicago police and fire,” said Cunningham.

House Bill 3162 passed the Senate Special Committee on Pensions on Thursday and awaits further action before the full Senate.

Sen. Cunningham & Rep. Mary Gill | Coffee & Convo

Saturday, April 29 - 9 A.M. - 10 A.M.

Afro Joe's Coffee & Tea

1818 W. 99th St., Chicago, IL 60643

Home Energy Saving W/ Cub

Register Here:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkf-yupzguHdO7S0XlOe8FFuVJX2TFrpYs#/registration

Statewide mental health coordinator for law enforcement passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham passed a bill through the Senate on Friday, which aims to provide mental health support and education for law enforcement officers who are facing post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We are not passing any new mandate on law enforcement,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We are creating a supportive resource that officers can utilize for specific traumatic situations and for PTSD."

The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator will be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve for a term of four years. The coordinator will be responsible for providing resources, information and assistance to law enforcement officers who may be experiencing PTSD symptoms or other mental health issues related to their work.

47% of law enforcement officers screen positive for PTSD using the Primary Care Screen, which is ten times greater than the general population. The bill is not intended to mandate that local police departments implement a plan to address PTSD or a set of requirements for how to operate mental health and wellness plans within their department, but rather to provide a supportive resource that departments and individual officers can turn to when seeking help.

"We can’t just talk about mental health – we have to put our money where our mouth is and give law enforcement access to more resources,” said Cunningham.

Senate Bill 1543 passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.