Under the Downstate Police Article of the Pension Code, there is a provision that stipulates that in the case of an emergency, a disabled police officer, regardless of age, may be assigned to duty without right to compensation as so directed by the chief of police or chief officer of the municipality.
State Representative Patrick Windhorst, of Metropolis, has passed legislation out of committee that could change that. House Bill 1968 provides that a deputy sheriff or police officer who is retired for disability and is 60 years old or older may not be recalled to service in any emergency capacity.
The measure passed unanimously out of committee and now heads to the full House for consideration.
