This case concerns whether firefighter Benno Ceyer, who was injured in the line of duty and awarded a line-of-duty disability pension, is entitled to reimbursement for health insurance premiums he paid between October 11, 2008, and February 18, 2015. Under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (820 ILCS 320/10), firefighters who suffer a catastrophic injury are entitled to have their employer pay their health insurance premiums. Ceyer filed a petition against the City of Berwyn, seeking this reimbursement.
Key Findings:
- Statute of Limitations:
The court ruled that the statute of limitations for Ceyer’s claim began when he was awarded his line-of-duty disability pension on February 18, 2015, not when the Pension Fund initially denied his benefits in 2008. Therefore, the suit was filed within five years of 2015, and was not time-barred. - Entitlement to Benefits:
The court affirmed that Ceyer became eligible for health insurance premium payments on December 23, 2008, when the Pension Fund first denied his line-of-duty disability benefits. This finding aligns with the legislative intent of the Act to provide continuous health insurance coverage for catastrophically injured firefighters. - Access to Alternative Insurance:
The City argued that Ceyer had access to health insurance through his private business, which paid premiums for two employees. However, the court rejected this argument, stating the Act does not require a beneficiary to obtain insurance from a private business to relieve the employer of its obligation. It emphasized the City must provide the insurance coverage required under the Act.
Conclusion:
The Appellate Court upheld the lower court’s decision, ruling that Ceyer was entitled to reimbursement for the health insurance premiums he paid starting from December 23, 2008. The court also clarified that Ceyer’s individual ability to purchase insurance through his business did not exempt the City from its obligation under the Act.