{ "id": 1083969, "name": "IDELLA BERTUCCI, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE FIREMEN'S ANNUITY AND BENEFIT FUND OF CHICAGO, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "Bertucci v. Retirement Board", "decision_date": "2004-06-29", "docket_number": "No. 1\u201402\u20143065", "first_page": "368", "last_page": "379", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "351 Ill. App. 3d 368" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "739 N.E.2d 521", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "193 Ill. 2d 455", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 963718 ], "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "466" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/193/0455-01" ] }, { "cite": "566 N.E.2d 1283", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "142 Ill. 2d 54", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3236540 ], "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "96" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/142/0054-01" ] }, { "cite": "766 N.E.2d 1105", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2002, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "199 Ill. 2d 198", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 58911 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "211" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/199/0198-01" ] }, { "cite": "791 N.E.2d 516", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "204 Ill. 2d 488", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 609688 ], "weight": 5, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "492" }, { "page": "493-94" }, { "page": "494" }, { "page": "494" }, { "page": "494" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/204/0488-01" ] }, { "cite": "606 N.E.2d 1111", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "153 Ill. 2d 76", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 4738801 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "88-89" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/153/0076-01" ] }, { "cite": "692 N.E.2d 295", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1998, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "181 Ill. 2d 191", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 821407 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "204" }, { "page": "205" }, { "page": "205" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/181/0191-01" ] }, { "cite": "752 N.E.2d 505", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "323 Ill. App. 3d 526", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 171618 ], "weight": 20, "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "529" }, { "page": "528-29" }, { "page": "529" }, { "page": "527-28" }, { "page": "528" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "529" }, { "page": "530" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" }, { "page": "531" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/323/0526-01" ] }, { "cite": "668 N.E.2d 1126", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "282 Ill. App. 3d 876", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 159538 ], "weight": 9, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "880" }, { "page": "877" }, { "page": "878" }, { "page": "878" }, { "page": "878" }, { "page": "878" }, { "page": "880" }, { "page": "878" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/282/0876-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 897, "char_count": 29750, "ocr_confidence": 0.749, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.214031880553977e-07, "percentile": 0.5967270678715245 }, "sha256": "0c11218e29552f96e859c1ca27a104ea3c2d127f36b788cbcf0c20ab2168fff6", "simhash": "1:992c7bb6a942d617", "word_count": 4977 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:22:07.473803+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "WOLFSON, EJ., and CAHILL, J., concur." ], "parties": [ "IDELLA BERTUCCI, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE FIREMEN\u2019S ANNUITY AND BENEFIT FUND OF CHICAGO, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE GARCIA\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nThe defendant, the Retirement Board of the Fireman\u2019s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago (Board), appeals from a circuit court order reversing the Board\u2019s decision denying plaintiff, Idella Bertucci, a widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit pursuant to section 6 \u2014 140 (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000)) of the Illinois Pension Code (Pension Code) (40 ILCS 5/1 \u2014 101 et seq. (West 2000)). We affirm.\nBACKGROUND\nThe plaintiffs husband, James J. Bertucci, became a fire fighter with the City of Chicago (City) in February 1969. In September 1991, James was injured while on duty. James\u2019s injury stemmed from a fall from a fire-truck ladder. As a result of his fall, James suffered a spinal-compression fracture of the L-l lumbar vertebra. In August 1992, James filed an application for disability benefits with the Board. In October 1992, the Board granted James duty-related disability benefits. 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 151 (West 1992).\nIn December 1994, January 1997, and March 1998, James was examined by a physician for the Board, Dr. George S. Motto. James\u2019s reexaminations were statutorily prescribed; \u201chowever[,] such annual examination may be waived by the Board if the appointed physician certifies in writing to the Board that the disability of the fireman is of such a nature as to render him permanently disabled and unable ever to return to service.\u201d 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 153 (West 1992). In his March 1998 written report to the Board, Dr. Motto determined there was \u201cno way [James] could improve.\u201d Also in the March 1998 report, Dr. Motto found James \u201cpermanently disabled due to prior injury\u201d and opined that James would \u201cnever return to work.\u201d James, in fact, did not return to work as a fire fighter and continued to receive duty-related disability benefits until his death from metastatic lung cancer in April 2001.\nIn May 2001, the plaintiff, relying on section 6 \u2014 140 of the Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000)), filed an application for a widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit with the Board.\nIn June 2001, the Board held a hearing on the plaintiffs application. The plaintiff testified she and James were married in 1964 and remained married until his death. Dr. Motto testified that in March 1998, \u201c[James] was permanently disabled due to [James\u2019s] lower-back pain,\u201d which stemmed from a spinal-compression fracture due to James\u2019s 1992 fall from the fire-truck ladder. Dr. Motto also testified that cancer was the cause of James\u2019s death and that the cancer was not caused by an act of duty. The Board denied the plaintiffs application for a widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit under section 6 \u2014 140 of the Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000)). However, the Board granted the plaintiff a widow\u2019s non-duty-related annuity benefit under section 6 \u2014 141.1 of the Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 141.1 (West 2000)) based on its finding that James did not die in the performance of an act of duty because he died from lung cancer. The Board also granted James\u2019s disabled adult son a child\u2019s annuity (40 ILCS 5/6\u2014 147, 6 \u2014 148 (West 2000)); the child\u2019s annuity award is not at issue.\nIn July 2001, the plaintiff filed a complaint for administrative review of the Board\u2019s decision with the Cook County circuit court. In September 2002, the circuit court heard argument and reversed the Board\u2019s decision based on section 6 \u2014 140 of the Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000)) and this court\u2019s holding in Tonkovic v. Retirement Board of the Firemen\u2019s Annuity & Benefit Fund, 282 Ill. App. 3d 876, 668 N.E.2d 1126 (1996). This appeal followed.\nANALYSIS\nI. Standard of Review\nWe review the decision of an administrative agency, not that of the circuit court. Swoope v. Retirement Board of the Policemen\u2019s Annuity & Benefit Fund, 323 Ill. App. 3d 526, 529, 752 N.E.2d 505 (2001). Generally, \u201c[a]n administrative agency\u2019s findings of fact are deemed prima facie true and correct.\u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 528-29, citing City of Belvidere v. Ilinois State Labor Relations Board, 181 Ill. 2d 191, 204, 692 N.E.2d 295 (1998); 735 ILCS 5/3 \u2014 110 (West 2000). Further, if the record contains any evidence to support the agency\u2019s decision, it should be affirmed. Abrahamson v. Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, 153 Ill. 2d 76, 88-89, 606 N.E.2d 1111 (1992). However, an administrative agency\u2019s conclusions of law are afforded less deference and are reviewed de novo. Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 529, citing City of Belvidere, 181 Ill. 2d at 205.\nThe circuit court characterized the issue before it as one of law, \u201c[wjhether or not the Board appropriately interpreted the section 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 and the Tonkovic case, which *** gave an analysis of that particular provision.\u201d The circuit court applied a de novo standard of review. The Board, while challenging the circuit court\u2019s ruling, does not contest that the issue turns on the \u201cinterpretation of its own statute.\u201d Nonetheless, the Board contends that the appropriate standard of review is the clearly erroneous standard because it is entitled to deference based on its experience and expertise. The facts, however, are not in dispute. Thus, the resolution of this case depends, not upon evidence heard by the Board or even the application of those facts to the law (a mixed question of fact and law to which a clearly erroneous standard should apply), but upon the purely legal question of the proper interpretation of the statutory provisions governing annuity benefits for the widows of fire fighters. See City of Belvidere, 181 Ill. 2d at 205; 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140, 6 \u2014 141.1 (West 2000). This is a question of law, and therefore, our review of the Board\u2019s decision is de novo. See Shields v. Judges\u2019 Retirement System, 204 Ill. 2d 488, 492, 791 N.E.2d 516 (2003).\nII. Interpretation\nThe Board contends that the Tonkovic decision, which the plaintiff maintains controls the outcome here and upon which the circuit court based its reversal of the Board\u2019s denial of duty-related benefits, is at odds with its interpretation of the controlling statute and should not be followed. Instead, the Board asserts we should follow the Swoope decision. In its reply brief, the Board asserts that the statute at issue in Swoope (40 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 144 (West 1998)) and the statute at issue here (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000)) \u201care nearly identical with exactly the same intent\u201d and, therefore, should be interpreted similarly.\nA. Sections 5 \u2014 144 and 6 \u2014 140\nWe agree with the Board that the legislative purpose behind sections 5 \u2014 144 and 6 \u2014 140 is to compensate the widows of police officers and fire fighters killed or permanently injured in the line of duty; and therefore, the statutes should be interpreted in a similar manner. 40 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 144, 6 \u2014 140 (West 2000).\nIn comparing section 5 \u2014 144, at issue in Swoope, to section 6 \u2014 140, at issue in this case and in Tonkovic, we find that they are nearly identical. 40 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 144 (West 1998); 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000). For instance, the widow of a police officer in a city with over 500,000 people who dies in the fine of duty is awarded an annuity equal to 75% of the police officer\u2019s salary (40 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 144(a) (West 1998)); however, if the police officer dies while still working, but not in the line of duty or after he has retired, the widow\u2019s annuity is equivalent to 50% of the police officer\u2019s pension annuity (40 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 136.1 (West 1998)). Similarly, the statutory provision regarding the benefits to the widow of a fire fighter in a city of over 500,000 residents is 75% of the fire fighter\u2019s salary when the fireman dies in the line of duty (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000)), but only 50% of the fire fighter\u2019s pension annuity if he dies while still working or after he has retired (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 141.1 (West 2000)).\nB. The Swoope Decision\nThe Swoope court was presented with a question similar to the one before us, whether the widow of a police officer who was deemed permanently disabled, found unable to return to work, and receiving duty-related disability at the time of his death, was entitled to a duty-related annuity benefit. In Swoope, the police officer received duty-related disability benefits stemming from injuries he received in an on-duty automobile collision. Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 527-28. The police officer continued receiving duty-related disability benefits until his death from a heart attack. Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 528. In its holding the Swoope court stated, \u201cit is the officer\u2019s injury, and not his death, which establishes whether the officer would be able to subsequently, and at some point, resume his duties with the police department.\u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531. We find Swoope instructive and agree with the Board that Justice Theis\u2019s analysis in Swoope is applicable here. Because we agree with the reasoning and analysis in Swoope, we borrow liberally from Justice Theis\u2019s succinct opinion.\nThe question we address is whether a fire fighter who is permanently disabled in the course of his duties, and who dies without returning to work, should be treated like a fire fighter who dies in the line of duty or from injuries received directly in the line of duty. We hold that an affirmative answer to that question is consistent with, not only the language of the controlling statute, but also its purpose and aim. 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000).\nSection 6 \u2014 140 provides for the payment of a compensation annuity when \u201cthe performance of an act or acts of duty results directly in the death of a fireman, or prevents him from subsequently resuming active service in the fire department.\u201d 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 1998). Much like in Swoope, \u201c[b]oth parties agree that [the plaintiff] must establish either of the two conditions listed in section [6 \u2014 140] in order to receive a compensation annuity. Further, it is undisputed that [James\u2019s] death was not a direct result of the injury he sustained in the performance of an act of duty. The dispute, therefore, involves the interpretation of the second phrase, [the performance of an act or acts of duty that prevents him from subsequently resuming active service in the fire department].\u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 529.\nWe begin our examination of this language with the Board\u2019s admission that the two statutes, one dealing with police officers (section 5 \u2014 144) and the other with fire fighters (section 6 \u2014 140), \u201care nearly identical with exactly the same intent.\u201d \u201cStatutory construction requires courts to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the legislature.\u201d Shields, 204 Ill. 2d at 493-94, citing In re C.W., 199 Ill. 2d 198, 211, 766 N.E.2d 1105 (2002). Where statutory language is clear, it must be applied as written (Shields, 204 Ill. 2d at 494); however, \u201c[legislative intent must be ascertained from a consideration of the entire act, its nature, its object, and the consequences resulting from different constructions\u201d (Shields, 204 Ill. 2d at 494, citing Fumarolo v. Chicago Board of Education, 142 Ill. 2d 54, 96, 566 N.E.2d 1283 (1990)).\nIn addressing the legislative intent behind section 5 \u2014 144, the Swoope court stated that the \u201csection is intended to provide extra compensation, above the regular annuity determined in the previous sections, to this select group of widows.\u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 530. We find a similar legislative intent present in section 6 \u2014 140. 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000).\nThe first paragraph of section 6 \u2014 140 specifically includes \u201cthe widow of a fireman whose death results from the performance of an act or acts of duty.\u201d 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000). Consequently, the resolution of this issue involves the interpretation of a phrase contained in the third paragraph of section 6 \u2014 140, that \u201cperformance of an act or acts of duty *** prevents him from subsequently resuming active service in the fire department.\u201d 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000). As in Swoope, we find the third paragraph of section 6 \u2014 140 to be \u201ca narrow expansion of this section, allowing widows of [fire fighters] whose injuries were of such character as to prevent them from subsequently resuming service as [fire fighters] to also receive this extra compensation.\u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531.\n\u201cWhen interpreting the phrase at issue, we look to the plain and ordinary meaning of the terms.\u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531, citing Lulay v. Lulay, 193 Ill. 2d 455, 466, 739 N.E.2d 521 (2000). The court in Swoope looked to the meaning of \u201csubsequently\u201d to support the \u201cnarrow expansion\u201d of the benefits provided by section 5 \u2014 144. Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531; 40 ILCS 5/5 \u2014 144 (West 1998). \u201cThe plain and ordinary meaning of the term \u2018subsequently\u2019 is \u2018following in time: coming or being later than something else.\u2019 \u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531, quoting Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary 2278 (1986). \u201cThus, the provision refers to an injury incurred in the performance of an act of duty which prevents the [fire fighter] from resuming service as a [fire fighter] subsequent to, or following, that injury. If, at anytime after the injury, the [fire fighter] can or could possibly resume his duties as a [fire fighter], his widow is excluded from receiving compensation or supplemental annuities. Because the statute does not define an ending point to this time period, we interpret the phrase to mean that the injury was so severe, and of such a character, as to prevent the [fire fighter] from ever resuming service as a [fire fighter].\u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531.\nThus, the phrase at issue means that the duty-related injury permanently prevents a fire fighter from resuming active duty with the fire department. It is therefore the fire fighter\u2019s injury, and not his death, which establishes whether the fire fighter may subsequently resume his duties with the fire department. See Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531. \u201c[T]he focus is whether the fire fighter is injured due to an act or acts of duty and then dies without having returned to active service.\u201d Tonkovic, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 880.\nTherefore, in conformity with the Swoope court, \u201cwe hold that, under [section 6 \u2014 140\u2019s third paragraph], a widow must establish with medical evidence and testimony that her husband\u2019s injury, but for his death, would have prevented him from subsequently, or ever, resuming service with the [fire] department.\u201d Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531. Although in Swoope the matter was remanded to the Board for an evidentiary hearing to allow the Board to make such a determination, under the facts presented here, there is no question but that the plaintiff made such a showing.\nIn the case sub judice, James fell from a fire-truck ladder, injured his spine, and received duty-related disability as a result of that fall. The cause of James\u2019s death was unrelated to the fall, as he died from metastatic lung cancer; however, the fall from the fire-truck ladder left James \u201cpermanently disabled\u201d according to the Board\u2019s physician, Dr. Motto. Specifically, in his written report to the Board in March 1998, Dr. Motto determined (1) there was \u201cno way [James] could improve,\u201d (2) James was \u201cpermanently disabled due to his prior injury,\u201d and (3) James was \u201cnever to return to work\u201d as a fire fighter. Dr. Motto also testified before the Board, verifying his March 1998 findings and reiterating that James\u2019s duty-related injury, i.e., his fall from the fire-truck ladder, had left him \u201cpermanently disabled.\u201d Therefore, the plaintiff has shown that James\u2019s injuries were permanent.\nC. Reconciling Tonkovic\nRelying on the principle that deference is owed to an agency\u2019s interpretation of its own statute based on its experience and expertise, the Board claims the Tonkovic ruling is inconsistent with its interpretation of section 6 \u2014 140 and therefore is \u201cnot controlling precedent.\u201d The Board continues to contend there is a \u201ccausation requirement\u201d in section 6 \u2014 140 that limits its application \u201cto those widows whose husbands\u2019 death were \u2018directly\u2019 caused by an act of duty.\u201d As a fallback argument, the Board seeks to limit the Tonkovic holding to the facts of that case; the Board argues that in Tonkovic, \u201cevidence existed *** for the court to conclude that it was the arteriosclerotic heart disease, cased [sic] by smoke inhalation during the performance of an act of duty, that prevented Mr. Tonkovic from ever resuming active service.\u201d Whereas, \u201c[i]n [James\u2019s] case, it was lung cancer which resulted in his death and ultimately prevented him from resuming active service as a fire fighter, not his back injury.\u201d\nOnce again we reject the Board\u2019s contention that there is a \u201ccausal connection\u201d component in section 6 \u2014 140 between the death of the fire fighter and his cause of death that must be established before a widow\u2019s duty-related annuity may be paid. As Justice Theis made clear in Swoope, \u201cit is the officer\u2019s injury, and not his death, which establishes whether the officer would be able to subsequently, and at some point, resume his duties.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531. Here, while it is true that James\u2019s lung cancer was not related in any way to the performance of an act or acts of duty, it was not the lung cancer that served as the basis for Dr. Motto\u2019s conclusion in March 1998 that James was \u201cpermanently disabled due to his prior injury.\u201d Contrary to the Board\u2019s assertion, it was the duty-related injury that prevented James from subsequently resuming active service. Thus, we find the Board\u2019s concerns misplaced as the interpretation of section 6 \u2014 140 set out by this court in Tonkovic is consistent with Swoope.\nIn Tonkovic, a fire fighter suffered a heart attack in April 1980, while fighting a fire. Tonkovic, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 877. The fire fighter was awarded duty-related disability benefits based on the fact he was disabled as a result of an act of duty. Tonkovic, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 878. Specifically, the doctor in that case prescribed that the fire fighter \u201cshould not perform the duties associated with the position of a fire fighter.\u201d Tonkovic, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 878. In April 1994, the fire fighter suffered another heart attack and died. Tonkovic, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 878. The decedent\u2019s widow applied to the Board for duty-related annuity benefits under section 6 \u2014 140 of the Pension Code. 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 1994). The Board denied the widow\u2019s request based on testimony that decedent\u2019s 1980 heart attack did not contribute to his death; however, the Board granted the widow ordinary, i.e., non-duty-related, annuity benefits under section 6 \u2014 141.1 of the Pension Code. Tonkovic, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 878; 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 141.1 (West 1994). The circuit court reversed and on appeal the reversal was affirmed. In pertinent part, the Tonkovic court found that the Board ignored the fact that the fire fighter\u2019s heart attack had kept him from being able to return to work as a fire fighter.\n\u201c[T]he plain language of the second clause [of section 6 \u2014 140 (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 1994))] provides that a surviving spouse is eligible for duty death benefits if the decedent fire fighter\u2019s performance of an act or acts of duty prevented him from resuming active service until his or her death. *** [T]he focus is whether the fire fighter is injured due to an act or acts of duty and then dies without having returned to active service.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Tonkovic, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 880.\nAs in Tonkovic, where the Board\u2019s doctor found that the fire fighter was permanently disabled and could not perform the duties associated with his previous position (Tonkovic, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 878), and Swoope, where the factor determining whether a widow whose husband died while receiving duty-related disability benefits was eligible for a widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit was whether the husband\u2019s disability was permanent (Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531), we find that a widow must demonstrate the permanency of her husband\u2019s duty-related disability in order to be eligible for an enhanced widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit. The widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit is meant to address the risks and the accompanying injuries that may befall fire fighters in the course of carrying out their duties. The widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit is not meant to serve as a life-insurance policy covering all manners of death to a fire fighter. The nexus between the widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit and the death of a fire fighter is the permanent injury or death caused in the line of duty. If there is no connection between the death or permanent injury of a fire fighter and the carrying out of his duty, then there is no duty-related annuity benefit provided to a widow under section 6 \u2014 140.\nTo highlight its concern over an expansive reading of section 6 \u2014 140, the Board asserts \u201cthat every widow of a fireman who at the time of his death was in receipt of duty disability benefits would be entitled to receive the increased widow\u2019s benefit provided by section 6 \u2014 140. *** Yet the widow of a fireman who worked thirty years and died of lung cancer while still on the job would not be entitled to such increased benefits.\u201d The Board states, \u201c[s]uch a conclusion plainly was not contemplated by the legislature in enacting the language of section 6 \u2014 140.\u201d We agree with the Board that such a conclusion \u201cplainly was not contemplated\u201d as the statute does not provide for a duty-related annuity benefit for \u201cevery widow of a fireman who at the time of his death was in receipt of duty disability benefits.\u201d Once again, as made clear by Swoope and Tonkovic, it is the character of the injury, and not merely receiving duty-related disability benefits, that determines whether a duty-related annuity benefit is owed to a widow upon the death of a fire fighter receiving duty-related disability benefits. As applied to this narrower subset of widows, those whose husbands were found to have sustained \u201cpermanent injury\u201d and were, thus, unable to return to work as fire fighters, the Board fails to set out a persuasive argument regarding why this group was \u201cplainly\u201d not one intended by the legislature to receive the additional duty-related annuity benefit.\nContrary to the Board\u2019s prediction that under the interpretation mandated by Tonkovic, \u201cthe widow of a fireman who even slightly injured his shoulder and was on disability and who later killed himself *** would also receive the duty [-related] death benefits.\u201d The widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit is payable only if the duty-related disability is one of a permanent nature. If a fire fighter slightly injures his shoulder, unless there is persuasive medical testimony that the slight injury turned into one that \u201cprevents him from subsequently resuming active service *** the annuity *** shall not be paid.\u201d 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000); Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531.\nIn other words, it is not true, as the Board asserts, that \u201cany widow whose husband dies while in receipt of a duty[-related] disability benefit would be entitled to the increased [duty-related annuity] benefit regardless of the nature of the injury that led to the disability.\u201d We agree with the Board\u2019s declaration that, \u201cthe mere fact that a fireman is on disability and does not return to work[ ] does not automatically entitle the widow to receive the greater benefits.\u201d But we find that some of the widows of fire fighters who fall in ib&b category should receive the greater benefits. Consistent with the holdings of Tonkovic and Swoope, those widows are the widows of fire fighters whose duty-related injuries, though not directly the cause of their deaths, were of such a nature that the fire fighters were permanently prevented from subsequently resuming active service. Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531.\nIn response to the Board\u2019s many examples that it contends support its contrary position, we present the following example of why our position wins out. Relying on the Board\u2019s own fact scenario of a \u201cfireman who dies three weeks after suffering from burns over the majority of his body\u201d as a situation warranting a widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit (fire fighter 1), we ask, what of a fire fighter in the very same situation that does not \u201cdie three weeks later\u201d but is permanently injured because of his burns, never able to return to active duty, receives duty-related disability benefits, and dies 10 years later of a heart attack (fire fighter 2). By assumption, fire fighter 1 and fire fighter 2 suffered the same injuries. Fire fighter l\u2019s family is clearly meant to receive duty-related annuity benefits which amount to 75% of an active fire fighter\u2019s income. However, according to the Board, at the death of fire fighter 2 his family must make do on less, or 50% of an active fire fighter\u2019s income. This example suggests that the comparison should not be with fire fighter 1, but to fire fighter 3. Fire fighter 3 sustains duty-related injuries, but the character of the injury is not such as to prevent the fire fighter from returning to work after rehabilitation. Fire fighter 3 nonetheless dies before returning to work. The question becomes who is fire fighter 2 more like: fire fighter 3, whose injuries do not preclude him from returning to work, or fire fighter 1, who dies from his duty-related injury? It seems consistent with the intent and language of the statute that fire fighter 2 should be treated like fire fighter 1, as both were permanently injured (however short that period of time may have been for fire fighter 1 before his death) and unable to resume active duty.\nTo the extent that a bright-line rule must be drawn, however arbitrary that line may appear, it should be drawn in such a way as to benefit more, rather than fewer, families of fire fighters injured on the job. The pension statutes must be liberally construed in favor of the pensioner. Shields, 204 Ill. 2d at 494.\nAs further basis to reject the Board\u2019s argument that Tonkovic was wrongly decided, the Board is confronted with the Tonkovic decision being established law without change from the legislature. The legislature was presented with an opportunity to address the Tonkovic holding in its 2001 amendment to section 6 \u2014 140; however, the legislature chose not to do so. 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West Supp. 2001).\nWe do not accept the Board\u2019s position that, \u201c[t]he last paragraph of section 6 \u2014 140, which is the provision the Tonkovic court focused on exclusively, limits the preceding language in the provision that grants the annuity for the widow of a fireman whose death results from the performance of an act or acts of duty.\u201d We find the Tonkovic language both clear and consistent with the aim and purpose of the statute as a whole. Therefore, we interpret the language at issue in the third paragraph of section 6 \u2014 140, \u201cacts of duty *** prevent[ ] him from subsequently resuming active service in the fire department\u201d (40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000)), to mean that a widow must establish with medical evidence and testimony that her husband\u2019s injury, but for his death, would have permanently prevented him from resuming service with the fire department. See Swoope, 323 Ill. App. 3d at 531.\nThe financial drain on the Board does not appear to be so great that fewer families should receive the widow\u2019s duty-related annuity benefit as the benefit is only paid to a fire fighter who suffers such a duty-related injury that \u201cprevents him from subsequently resuming active service in the fire department.\u201d To the extent such injuries are permanent, his wife should be entitled to receive a duty-related annuity benefit upon the fire fighter\u2019s death and prior to his reaching the age of retirement. It appears certain that the longer the period of permanent disability, the greater the direct relation between the fire fighter\u2019s duty-related injury and the benefit that should be paid. This finding does not \u201cundermine and make less significant the sacrifice of those who actually die in the line of duty or from a cause directly related to the injury suffered while on duty.\u201d Rather, it reinforces the sacrifices of those who are severely injured and unable to return to work because of their injuries. The families of fire fighters who are injured while on duty, permanently disabled, and unable to return to work, should receive the same benefits upon the death of the fire fighter as the families of fire fighters whose death is directly caused by their act or acts of duty.\nCONCLUSION\nFor the foregoing reasons, the plaintiff is entitled to an enhanced widow\u2019s annuity. 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 140 (West 2000). We affirm the circuit court\u2019s order reversing the Board\u2019s decision.\nAffirmed.\nWOLFSON, EJ., and CAHILL, J., concur.\nDr. Motto testified, \u201cMetastatic means that the cancer in question has come from another source. A different source. A different organ.\u201d\nWhen each fire fighter would have reached the age of mandatory retirement, the families would have been treated identically, each receiving 50% of his active salaiy. 40 ILCS 5/6 \u2014 141.1 (West 2000). Thus, the added financial burden on the Board spans the years from the fire fighter\u2019s death to the time he would have reached mandatory retirement age. When the fire fighter dies while on duty disability after reaching mandatory retirement age, no additional widow\u2019s annuity benefit is paid.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE GARCIA" } ], "attorneys": [ "Burke, Burns & Pinelli, Ltd., of Chicago (Mary Patricia Burns, Vincent D. Pinelli, and Bonnie T. Kennedy, of counsel), for appellant.", "Donald T. Bertucci, of Chicago, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "IDELLA BERTUCCI, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE FIREMEN\u2019S ANNUITY AND BENEFIT FUND OF CHICAGO, Defendant-Appellant.\nFirst District (2nd Division)\nNo. 1\u201402\u20143065\nOpinion filed June 29, 2004.\nRehearing denied July 27, 2004.\nBurke, Burns & Pinelli, Ltd., of Chicago (Mary Patricia Burns, Vincent D. Pinelli, and Bonnie T. Kennedy, of counsel), for appellant.\nDonald T. Bertucci, of Chicago, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0368-01", "first_page_order": 386, "last_page_order": 397 }