IMRF has different appeal procedures depending upon the type of decision an IMRF member or employer is appealing. For example, a member who is appealing a decision in which disability benefits were denied would use a different appeal procedure than a member who was appealing a decision about Past Service credit. IMRF’s appeal procedures are:
If IMRF staff denies or terminates a member’s claim for disability benefits, we will inform the member in writing of that decision. At this point if the member has either additional evidence of disability or other compelling argument that meets the Pension Code’s definition of disability, he or she may request a hearing before the IMRF Board of Trustees’ Benefit Review Committee.
To request a hearing, the member must complete the ”Request for a Hearing,” Form 5.70. This form is enclosed with the denial letter advising the member of the disability claim denial. The completed request for a hearing form must be received by IMRF within 63 days of the date of the staff denial letter. Additional information regarding the procedures and deadlines for filing information is stated in the denial letter and on the Request for a Hearing form.
The hearings are held in IMRF's Oak Brook offices. The member may appear personally with or without an attorney. If the member is unable to attend, a representative or attorney may appear for the member. Hearings may also be held via video conference from our Springfield office or via telephone conference at the member’s request. The member may also present a written appeal without a personal appearance.
The Benefit Review Committee will make a recommendation to the full IMRF Board of Trustees. The decision of the Board of Trustees, after a Benefit Review Committee hearing, constitutes its final administrative decision and IMRF will take no further action regarding the claim. However, review of the Board of Trustees’ final administrative decisions is provided under Article III of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure [735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq. (West 2012)]. If a member wishes to pursue a claim, he or she must file an action for Administrative Review in Circuit Court of either Du Page or Sangamon county, Illinois or the county where the member's employer's main office is located, within 35 days of the date of the notice of the Board’s decision.
Read the complete Appeal Procedures for Disability Benefits.
If any person or employer receives an administrative staff determination not related to a disability claim, they may request a hearing before the Board of Trustees’ Benefit Review Committee.
To request a hearing, the person or employer must submit a written petition. This petition may be in any format and can simply state the request for a hearing. The petition should be directed to the Associate General Counsel in the IMRF Oak Brook office and must be received by IMRF within 63 days after the date of the staff determination letter. The Associate General Counsel will then send the petitioner an acknowledgement of the petition and inform the petitioner that a formal Statement of Claim must be filed.
After the Statement of Claim is received by IMRF, the Associate General Counsel will add the petitioner’s claim to the agenda of the next available Benefit Review Committee meeting. Once scheduled, the petitioner will be provided a written notice of the date, time, place, and subject matter of the hearing.
The hearings are held in IMRF's Oak Brook offices. The petitioner may appear personally with or without an attorney. If the petitioner is unable to attend, a representative or attorney may appear for the member. Hearings may also be held via video conference from our Springfield office or via telephone conference at the petitioner’s request. The petitioner may also present a written appeal without a personal appearance.
The Benefit Review Committee will make a recommendation to the full IMRF Board of Trustees. The decision of the Board of Trustees, after a Benefit Review Committee hearing, constitutes its final administrative decision and IMRF will take no further action regarding the claim. However, review of the IMRF Board of Trustees’ final administrative decisions is provided under Article III of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure [735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq. (West 2012)]. If a member wishes to pursue a claim, he or she must file an action for Administrative Review in Circuit Court of either DuPage or Sangamon county, Illinois or the county where the member's employer's main office is located, within 35 days of the date of the notice of the Board’s decision.
Read the complete Appeal Procedures for Non-Disability Benefits.