International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 50 v. City of Peoria

This case presents question as to whether trial court properly struck down city ordinance that attempted to amend procedures for firefighters seeking to obtain benefits under Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (Act) by defining "injury," "gainful work," and "catastrophic injury." Appellate Court, in affirming trial court, found that city's definitions of "catastrophic injury," "injury," and "gainful work" were inconsistent with substantive requirements of Act, and thus instant ordinance was not valid exercise of home rule authority. Appellate Court further observed that if firefighter is injured and awarded line-on-duty disability, he or she has catastrophic injury pursuant to section 10(a) of Act.