Illinois Statutes Chapter 40. Pensions § 5/7-199.1. To administer a joint group accident and health insurance program in accordance with this Section

(a) The board may purchase and administer a joint group accident and health insurance policy as defined in Section 4 of the “Illinois Insurance Code”, approved June 29, 1937, as amended,  1 for the benefit of one or more classes of employees or retired employees of participating municipalities and participating instrumentalities, or their spouses or surviving spouses.

(b) All participating municipalities and participating instrumentalities are hereby authorized to participate in any such joint group accident and health insurance policy established under this Section.

(c) The board may promulgate such rules as may be necessary or convenient relating to the purchase and administration of any such policy, and to the conditions and terms of participation therein and withdrawal therefrom by participating municipalities and participating instrumentalities.

(d) Any monies received by the board relating to its duties under this Section shall not be deemed contributions to or assets of the fund, and all such monies shall be held by the board in a separate account.

(e) The board shall submit an annual report of its activities under this Section to each municipality and instrumentality participating in a policy administered under this Section.

(f) The group accident and health insurance program established under this Section is not and shall not be construed to be a pension or retirement benefit for purposes of Section 5 of Article XIII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970.