ILLINOIS COMPTROLLER SUSANA MENDOZA IS URGING PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION ENSURING THE FAMILIES OF FALLEN OFFICERS RECEIVE TIMELY BENEFITS FROM THE STATE. 

HERE'S THE PROBLEM: THE LINE OF DUTY COMPENSATION FUND PROVIDES BENEFITS TO FAMILIES WHO LOSE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER OR OTHER FIRST RESPONDER...BUT SOME YEARS IT RUNS OUT OF MONEY. THAT MEANS PAYMENTS ARE DELAYED, WHICH ISN'T RIGHT SAYS COMPTROLLER MENDOZA.

THE LINE OF DUTY COMPENSATION FUND PROVIDES BENEFITS AFTER A FIREFIGHTER, POLICE OFFICER OR OTHER FIRST RESPONDER DIES ON THE JOB. SOMETIMES, THAT FUND RUNS OUT, LEAVING MOURNING FAMILIES HAVING TO WAIT FOR THE MONEY SAYS REPRESENTATIVE NATALIE MANLEY OF JOLIET.

THE LEGISLATION ALSO DOUBLES THE AMOUNT OF TIME FAMILIES HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM FROM ONE YEAR TO TWO.

MENDOZA IS PUSHING BILLS THAT SET UP A CONTINUING APPROPRIATION FOR THE FUND, SO THAT IT'S NOT AT RISK OF RUNNING OUT. THE MEASURES ALSO GIVES FAMILIES MORE TIME TO FILE A CLAIM