Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a) An
Employee who is not in active service may continue to participate in the
Program as authorized by the Act and this Part.
b) The State shall continue to contribute
toward the cost of an Employee's elected coverage, at the same rate as if the
Employee were in active service, if the Employee is not in active service due
to one of the following reasons:
1)
Nonoccupational disability leave of absence
A)
An Employee on a nonoccupational disability leave and is receiving ordinary or
accidental disability benefits or retirement benefits through the appropriate
retirement system will remain eligible for State contributions toward the cost
of coverage until expiration of authorized leave or return to active
service.
B) An Employee on a
nonoccupational disability leave but is not receiving ordinary or accidental
disability benefits or retirement benefits through the appropriate retirement
system will remain eligible for State contributions toward the cost of coverage
until expiration of authorized leave or return to active service, subject to a
maximum period of 24 months.
2) Occupational disability leave of absence.
An Employee on an occupational disability leave of absence who is receiving
benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act [820 ILCS 305 ] or Workers'
Occupational Disease Act [820 ILCS 310 ] will remain eligible for State
contributions toward the cost of coverage until expiration of authorized leave
or return to active service.
3)
Authorized educational leave of absence. An Employee on an authorized
educational leave of absence will remain eligible for State contributions
toward the cost of coverage until expiration of authorized leave or return to
active service, subject to a lifetime maximum period of 24 months.
4) Sabbatical leave of absence. An Employee
on an authorized sabbatical leave of absence will remain eligible for State
contributions toward the cost of coverage until expiration of authorized leave
or return to active service, subject to a lifetime maximum period of 24
months.
5) Military leave of
absence. An Employee on a military leave of absence will remain eligible for
State contributions toward the cost of coverage until expiration of authorized
leave or return to active service.
6) Approved leaves of absence covered by the
Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2601
through 2654), including medical or
bonding family leave, and military caregiver or military qualifying exigency
family leave.
7) Seasonal leave of
absence. An Employee on an authorized seasonal leave of absence will remain
eligible for State contributions toward the cost of coverage until expiration
of authorized leave or return to active service, subject to a maximum period of
six months.
8) University annual
break. An Employee on an authorized leave of absence due to a University annual
break will remain eligible for State contributions toward the cost of coverage
until expiration of authorized leave or return to active service, subject to a
maximum period of three months.
9)
Dock or suspension status up to 30 calendar days per fiscal year.
c) The State will not contribute
toward the cost of an Employee's elected coverage, when the Employee is not in
active service due to one of the following reasons. An Employee not in active
service due to one of these reasons may continue participation in the Program
only by making personal payment equal to the total cost of the Employee's
elected coverage.
1) Dock or suspension status
greater than 30 days per fiscal year;
2) Personal or general leave of
absence;
3) Family Responsibility
Leave of absence that is not covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993;
4) Military Family Leave;
and
5) Military Leave after the
Employee has been released from covered active duty.
d) An Employee who is not in active State
service due to a reason identified in subsection (c) will remain eligible to
continue participation in the Program until such time as the Employee returns
to a status eligible for contributions by the State or until the Employee's
employment or annuitant status with the State is terminated, subject to a
maximum period of 24 months per occurrence.
