In Illinois, there is a 14-year-old state law that requires municipalities to pay full health insurance costs for public safety employees responding to emergencies who are injured catastrophically, or for the family of a worker who is killed.

Many people who are injured on the job rely on Social Security disability benefits. For public workers in Illinois, however, municipalities will help them out.

A fire lieutenant in Libertyville, for example, suffered a severe back injury on the job back in 2006. According to the Daily Herald, the injury was so severe that he could no longer perform the duties of his job. He has, however, recovered enough to work full time as an instructor of firefighting classes.

The man and his family have benefited from $88,000 in insurance costs covered by Libertyville. Since the man is working again, however, some question whether such benefits are necessary. Some municipal government officials are apparently to close what they consider a costly loophole by changing the injury provision in the Public Safety Employee Benefit Act.

They cite rising medical costs as a problem. 50 municipalities surveyed throughout Illinois report spending $350,000 on such benefits in 2003. That number was about $2.8 million by 2010.

When the law was enacted back in 1997, the definition of "catastrophic injury" was kept fairly loose. Officials believe tightening it may save costs. Hopefully, any change will simply prevent abuse and won't come at the expense of those who truly need help.

Source: Daily Herald, "Injured public safety workers can get free insurance for life," Jake Griffin, Jan. 11, 2012