SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 27 -- The Illinois Courts Office issued the following opinion on March 27:
1. In the first of two related appeals, plaintiff, the Village of Mount Prospect, appeals the circuit court's order affirming the Village hearing officer's decision that defendant, Eric Mertes, qualifies for health insurance benefits under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (820 ILCS 320/1 et seq. (West 2022)) (appeal No. 1-22-1790). The issues in the Village's appeal are whether the hearing officer clearly erred in concluding that (1) Mertes's disability was the result of injuries sustained while responding to emergencies, therefore qualifying him for benefits, and (2) the Village's obligation to pay Mertes's premiums under the Act att...