Governmental units (other than units of government that first joined IMRF after January 1, 1982, school districts, and special education cooperatives) may, at their option, change from the 600-hour annual standard to a 1,000-hour annual standard by adopting and filing resolution Form 6.68, ”Resolution - Adoption of the 1,000 Hour Standard for IMRF Participation.” (The 1,000-hour standard did not exist before January 1, 1982.) If the 1,000-hour annual standard is adopted, it cannot be revoked.
The 1,000 hour annual standard for IMRF covered positions must be applied to all positions within that governmental unit, including elected officials.
Public Act 96-1140 eliminated the grandfathering provision of the 600-hour standard for members who participated in IMRF before January 1, 1982. Previously, if a member earned any portion of his or her pension prior to January 1, 1982, the member was ”grandfathered” under the 600-hour standard. These members ”carried” that hourly standard with them and were required to participate in IMRF if their position required 600 hours or more, even if the employer had a 1,000-hour hour standard.
Now, if an employer changes its hourly standard from 600 to 1,000, any member who participated under that employer before it changed its hourly standard remains grandfathered under 600 hours for that employer only. The member participates in IMRF under that employer if the position requires 600 hours or more, even if the employer now has a 1,000-hour standard. For all other IMRF employers, the member’s grandfathering is eliminated.
This new law makes no change to an employer’s hourly standard, or to an employer’s ability to change its hourly standard.