Section 40 ILCS 5/14-116 - Nonoccupational death benefit-death before retirement(a) Upon death of a member before retirement from any cause other than illness contracted or injuries received in the performance of duty to the State, if no survivors annuity beneficiary survives the member, such person as the member has nominated by written direction duly acknowledged and filed with the board or if no such nomination the estate of the member, except as otherwise provided, shall receive the member's accumulated contributions plus credited interest. If such member dies in service and was in receipt of compensation within a period of 12 months before death, or if death occurred during the first 30 days of absence on account of disability or while in receipt of a nonoccupational disability or occupational disability benefit, a death benefit shall also be payable in the manner provided in this Section. The benefit shall be equal to one month's final average compensation upon death occurring during the first year of service and an additional amount of one month's final average compensation for each additional complete year of creditable service, but not to exceed 6 months' final average compensation.(b) When an annuitant re-enters the service in a department, and dies under the conditions described in paragraph (a) of this Section, the accumulated contributions plus credited interest to be paid as provided in this Section shall, if the member has not previously elected a reversionary annuity, consist of the excess, if any, of his accumulated contributions plus credited interest over the total amount of retirement annuity payments received by the member before death. The death benefit provided from State contributions is payable only if the member has rendered at least one year of creditable service during such re-employment and is paid in the manner provided in this Article.(c) Upon the death of a member before retirement, or while in service after having previously retired, from any cause other than illness contracted or injuries received in the performance of duty to the State, leaving an eligible survivors annuity beneficiary, such person as the member has nominated by written direction duly acknowledged and filed with the board or if no such nomination the estate of the member is entitled to a refund of the member's contributions for retirement annuity plus credited interest less retirement annuity payments, if any, and a survivors annuity is payable in the manner provided in this Article.(d) Instead of a death benefit provided in this Section, the widow of a member, if eligible therefor, may elect to receive the widow's annuity and lump sum payment provided in this Article.