The period of coverage required under the Illinois state continuation coverage law, has been recently increased from 9 months to 12 months by House Bill 2325 (signed by the Governor on June 18, 2009).

All group plans subject to the law that are issued, delivered, amended or renewed after June 18, 2009, must provide for up to 12 months of continuation coverage.
 
If an individual is currently receiving state continuation coverage and the employer's policy is renewed after June 18, 2009, the individual would be entitled to the additional 3 months of coverage, regardless of the date the individual first elected state continuation coverage.
 
An employer should notify all employees and all former employees subject to the extension of the change.