Joaquin Mendoza is a lucky man – in more ways than one.

The Chicago detective sergeant is surviving a serious case of covid, having suffered five strokes and lost both kidneys. And he has a little sister with a big platform to advocate for him – Susana Mendoza, the state comptroller.

“This was an injustice that was done, and, frankly it should not have taken legislation to fix this,” said the comptroller at a bill-signing ceremony Wednesday at the Capitol.

“The city of Chicago’s benefit and annuity fund should have done the right thing from Day One.”

That would be to provide duty disability benefits under the Act of Duty bill, now a law.