Illinois Fire Service Legislative Partnership’s

Updated 4/30/08

Dates to Remember

HB 1434
Short Description:  HARPER COLLEGE-BACHELOR DEGREE
House Sponsors
Rep. Fred Crespo-Sidney H. Mathias-Paul D. Froehlich-Elaine Nekritz-William B. Black, Linda Chapa LaVia, Roger L. Eddy, Suzanne Bassi, Mark H. Beaubien, Jr., Susana A Mendoza, Maria Antonia Berrios, Luis Arroyo, Elizabeth Hernandez, Greg Harris, Cynthia Soto, Edward J. Acevedo, Jack McGuire, Daniel J. Burke, Esther Golar and Mike Boland
Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Dan Kotowski-John J. Millner, Michael Noland-Pamela J. Althoff-David Koehler and Susan Garrett)

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 512 may create a pilot baccalaureate program under which the district may establish and offer bachelor's degrees in 2 fields of study if certain conditions are met, including requiring (i) that the degree programs not compete with any nearby public university, (ii) that the district identify and document unmet workforce needs, (iii) that the degree programs not require any additional funding from local taxes or the State, (iv) that the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education approve the offering of the degree programs, and (v) that the pilot program expire 4 years after the initial offering of the degree programs, unless otherwise extended by law. Effective immediately.

House Amendment No. 2
     Adds as a condition that the public universities in this State have the right of first refusal to offer the baccalaureate degree programs on the community college campus in a manner that is mutually agreeable between the district and the university.

Last Action 

HB 4417
Short Description:  MUNI CD-FIRE AND POLICE
House Sponsors
Rep. Elizabeth Coulson

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a board of fire and police commissioners may waive portions of the required examination for applicants who have previously been full-time sworn officers of a regular fire or police department of any municipality in the State. Provides that a board of fire and police commissioners may prepare and keep a second register of persons who have previously been full-time sworn officers of a regular fire or police department of any municipality in the State. Provides that persons on the second register shall take rank upon the register as candidates in the order of their relative excellence as determined by members of the board of fire and police commissioners.

Last Action 

HB 4627
Short Description:  PEN CD-FIRE-INCREASE CONTRIBTN
House Sponsors
Rep. David R. Leitch

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Increases the percentage of salary each firefighter shall contribute to the pension fund towards the cost of his or her pension from 6.955% of salary to 9.91% of salary.

House Amendment No. 1
     Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the bill as introduced with the following change: changes the percentage of salary the firefighter must contribute from 9.91% to 7.415%.
Last Action 

HB 4644
Short Description:  PEN CD-FIREFIGHTERS-INCREASES
House Sponsors
Rep. Donald L. Moffitt

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, in January 2009, the monthly pension of a firefighter who retired before July 1, 1971 shall be recalculated and increased to reflect the amount that the firefighter would have received in January 2009 had the firefighter been receiving a 3% increase for each year he or she received pension payments. In each January thereafter, provides that he or she shall receive an additional increase of 3% of the amount of the pension then being paid. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Last Action 

HB 4645
Short Description:  FINANCE AUTHORITY-FIRE STATION
House Sponsors
Rep. Sidney H. Mathias-Donald L. Moffitt-Michael K. Smith-David Reis-Patricia R. Bellock, Patrick J Verschoore, Mike Boland, Charles E. Jefferson, Jim Sacia, Jerry L. Mitchell, Carolyn H. Krause, Sandra M. Pihos, Timothy L. Schmitz, Shane Cultra, Keith P. Sommer, Elizabeth Coulson, Lisa M. Dugan, Raymond Poe, Dave Winters, Ron Stephens, Bill Mitchell, Richard P. Myers, Jil Tracy, Robert W. Pritchard, Mark H. Beaubien, Jr., Mike Bost, Sandy Cole, Ronald A. Wait, Rich Brauer, Roger L. Eddy, Renée Kosel, Mike Fortner, Dan Brady, Ruth Munson, David R. Leitch, Aaron Schock and Rosemary Mulligan
Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Michael W. Frerichs)

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Requires the Authority and the State Fire Marshal to jointly administer a program of zero-interest loans to fire departments and fire protection districts for the construction, rehabilitation, remodeling, and expansion of fire stations and the acquisition of land for the construction and expansion of fire stations. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund as a special fund in the State treasury for purposes of the loan program. Effective July 1, 2008.

House Amendment No. 1
     Removes the requirement for the adoption of implementing rules. Provides that neither the Governor nor any agency or agency head under the jurisdiction of the Governor has any rulemaking authority under the amendatory Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion.

House Amendment No. 2
     Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of House Bill 4645, as amended by House Amendment No. 1, with the following changes: Authorizes (now, requires) the fire station revolving loan program. Provides that the revolving loan program may (now, shall) provide zero-interest loans, and conditions the Authority's lending upon the program receiving funding. Provides that the loan funds may (now, shall) be paid out of the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund and that the Fund may (now, shall) consist of funds transferred or appropriated into it and loan repayments. Makes the use of the Fund permissive and conditioned upon the program receiving funding. Effective July 1, 2008.

Last Action 

HB 4651
Short Description:  CRIM CD-DTH INJURY EMERG VEH
House Sponsors
Rep. Kevin Joyce-James D. Brosnahan-Michael P. McAuliffe-Lou Lang-Daniel V. Beiser, Elizabeth Hernandez, Patrick J Verschoore and Linda Chapa LaVia

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Establishes the Billy Grant Law. Creates the offense of negligent vehicular homicide of an emergency worker. Provides that a driver of a motor vehicle commits the offense of negligent vehicular homicide of an emergency worker when he or she: (1) fails to yield the right-of-way upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle or upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle; and (2) negligently causes the death of one or more emergency workers as a result of the driver's failure to yield the right-of-way to the authorized emergency vehicle. Establishes penalties. Creates the offense of vehicular injury to an emergency worker. Provides that a driver of a motor vehicle commits the offense of vehicular injury to an emergency worker when he or she: (1) fails to yield the right-of-way upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle or upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle; and (2) negligently causes injury to one or more emergency workers as a result of the driver's failure to yield the right-of-way to the authorized emergency vehicle. Establishes penalties. Effective immediately.

House Amendment No. 1
     In the definition of "emergency worker", includes a worker whose presence at a scene is solicited by a peace officer, firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, or emergency management worker.

House Amendment No. 2
     Changes the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to include tow trucks solicited by emergency workers and vehicles of the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Last Action 

HB 4674
Short Description:  FIRE PROTECTION-TRUSTEES
House Sponsors
Rep. Donald L. Moffitt-Michael K. Smith-Joseph M. Lyons and Mike Boland
Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Dale E. Risinger-Michael W. Frerichs-William R. Haine-Pamela J. Althoff)

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that any trustee of a fire protection district who completes a training program on fire protection district administration approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal may receive additional compensation.

Last Action 

HB 4675
Short Description:  FIRE PROTECTION-NON-RESIDENT
House Sponsors
Rep. Michael K. Smith-Donald L. Moffitt and Milton Patterson
Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Pamela J. Althoff)

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that, until January 1, 2009, the fee charged to persons and entities that are not residents of the fire protection district for the cost of providing services shall not exceed $250 per vehicle (now, $125) and shall not exceed $70 per hour per firefighter (now, $35 per hour per firefighter). Provides that those amounts shall be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index during the previous 12-month period.

Last Action 

HB 4678
Short Description:  FIRE PROTECTION-TRUSTEE
House Sponsors
Rep. Donald L. Moffitt-Michael K. Smith-Patrick J Verschoore-Mike Boland

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that trustees in a fire protection district with more than 30 full-time paid firefighters shall receive a salary not to exceed $4,000 per year (now, $2,000 per year).

Last Action 

HB 4681
Short Description:  PROP TX-EXEMPTION NOTICES
House Sponsors
Rep. Donald L. Moffitt-Michael K. Smith-Sidney H. Mathias

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, property owners must notify affected fire protection districts upon the filing of any application for a non-homestead exemption that would reduce the assessed valuation of any property by more than $100,000 and provides that the districts must be given the opportunity to be heard on the matter.

Last Action 

HB 4683
Short Description:  FIRE SAFETY-IMITATE SPRINKLER
House Sponsors
Rep. Elaine Nekritz-Michael K. Smith-Thomas Holbrook and Mike Boland

Synopsis As Introduced
      Creates the Fire and Life Safety Device Act. Provides that the manufacture, installation, or sale of any device or object that reasonably appears to be a smoke detector, sprinkler head, carbon monoxide alarm, heat detector, or any other similar device used for life safety or fire protection that is, in fact, neither designed nor capable of performing such life safety or fire protection function, is prohibited. Establishes penalties for violations of the Act. Provides that inspectors employed by municipalities, fire protection districts, and counties and those individuals who meet the certification requirements of the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act may inspect such devices to ensure compliance with the Act.

House Amendment No. 2
     Provides that individuals licensed under the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989 may also inspect the life safety and fire protection devices. Provides that the inspection of the life safety devices shall not be conducted in any room or suite of rooms used for human habitation, including any single family residence, living unit of a multiple family residence, or living unit in a mixed use building.
Last Action 

HB 4686
Short Description:  FIRE TRAINING-RETIRED FIRE
House Sponsors
Rep. Jack D. Franks-Michael K. Smith-Kathleen A. Ryg

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. Provides that certain persons who are retired from active fire service duties may receive training certification regardless of the fact that they are not employed or otherwise engaged by an organized Illinois fire department. Effective immediately.

House Amendment No. 1
     Provides that there is no rulemaking authority under the amendatory Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion.

Last Action 

HB 4687
Short Description:  FIRE PROTECTION-GRANT
House Sponsors
Rep. Mike Boland-Michael K. Smith

Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Michael W. Frerichs)

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that the board of trustees of any fire protection district may establish a program to award grants to certain property owners who install and maintain sprinkler or other fire suppression systems. Effective immediately.
Last Action 

HB 4699
Short Description:  PRIMARY STROKE CENTER
House Sponsors
Rep. Bob Biggins-Milton Patterson-Elizabeth Coulson-Daniel J. Burke-Sandra M. Pihos, LaShawn K. Ford, Constance A. Howard, William B. Black, Karen May, Jack D. Franks, Sidney H. Mathias, Arthur L. Turner, Patricia Reid Lindner, Ruth Munson, Patricia R. Bellock, Elaine Nekritz, Mike Bost, David R. Leitch, James D. Brosnahan, Jil Tracy, Mike Fortner, Sandy Cole, Linda Chapa LaVia, Jim Watson, Roger L. Eddy, William Davis, Michael P. McAuliffe, Ron Stephens, Carolyn H. Krause, Jim Durkin, Dennis M. Reboletti, Keith P. Sommer, Kevin Joyce, Joe Dunn, John A. Fritchey, Esther Golar, Cynthia Soto, Marlow H. Colvin, Franco Coladipietro, Susana A Mendoza, Sara Feigenholtz, Kenneth Dunkin, Gary Hannig, Barbara Flynn Currie, Donald L. Moffitt, Julie Hamos, Kathleen A. Ryg, Harry R. Ramey, Jr., Maria Antonia Berrios, Rosemary Mulligan, Suzanne Bassi, Raymond Poe, Ronald A. Wait, Rich Brauer and Karen A. Yarbrough

Synopsis As Introduced
      Creates the Primary Stroke Center Designation Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that the Director of Public Health shall designate as many hospitals as Primary Stroke Centers as apply for the designation, provided that the hospital meets the criteria set forth in the Act. Provides the criteria necessary for designation as a Primary Stroke Center. Provides that the Director of Public Health may suspend or revoke a hospital's designation as a Primary Stroke Center after notice and hearing if the Director determines that the hospital does not comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Director of Public Health may award matching grants to hospitals that seek designation as Primary Stroke Centers and demonstrate a need for financial assistance to develop the necessary infrastructure. Provides that the Director of Public Health must, not later than July 1, 2010, prepare and submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the General Assembly a report indicating the total number of hospitals that have applied for grants under the Act before July 1, 2010 and the number of those applicants that have been found eligible for the grants, the total number of grants awarded, the name and address of each grantee and hospital and the amount of the award to each, and the amount of each award that has been awarded to the grantee. Effective immediately.

House Amendment No. 1
     Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Primary Stroke Center Designation Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that the Illinois Department of Public Health shall recognize a hospital as a Primary Stroke Center if the hospital meets specified criteria. Provides that the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health may award matching grants to hospitals that have been designated Primary Stroke Centers or that seek designation as Primary Stroke Centers, to be used for specified purposes. Provides that a hospital seeking designation as a Primary Stroke Center may apply to the Director for a matching grant in a manner and form designated by the Director and shall provide information as the Director deems necessary to determine if the hospital is eligible for the grant. Provides that matching grant awards shall be made to Primary Stroke Centers, placing greatest priority on facilities in areas with high stroke morbidity rates and achieving geographic diversity where possible. Contains provisions concerning the reporting of information by the Director or Department to specified parties. Contains provisions concerning triage and transportation of stroke victims to a Primary Stroke Center. Provides that the Act is not a medical practice guideline and may not be used to restrict the authority of a hospital to provide services for which it has received a license under state law. Provides that a person may not claim or advertise to the public, by way of any medium whatsoever, that a hospital is a Primary Stroke Center unless the hospital is designated a Primary Stroke Center in accordance with the Act. Provides that neither the Governor nor any agency or agency head under the jurisdiction of the Governor has any rulemaking authority under the Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion. Effective immediately.
Last Action 

HB 4854
Short Description:  LOCAL GOV FOREIGN FIRE INS
House Sponsors
Rep. Mike Bost-William Davis

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a fire department foreign fire insurance board in a municipality with fewer than 500,000 (now, 250,000) inhabitants shall have 7 trustees, including the fire chief and 6 members of the fire department (now, the Board is established by ordinances of the corporate authorities). Provides for an annual election of board officers. Provides that the annual municipal audit shall include funds appropriated to the board and shall determine whether the funds have been expended by the board only for the maintenance, use, and benefit of the department. Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that in each fire protection district that has an organized fire department there shall be a foreign fire insurance board. Provides that the board shall have 7 trustees, including the fire chief and 6 members of the fire department. Provides that officers shall be elected annually. Authorizes the board to make rules. Provides that the treasurer must give a bond to the board. Provides that the board shall develop and maintain a list of items that are appropriate expenditures. Provides that the annual fire protection district audit shall include funds appropriated to the board and shall determine whether the funds have been expended by the board only for the maintenance, use, and benefit of the department. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Last Action 

HB 4931
Short Description:  MUNI CD-FOREIGN FIRE INS BOARD
House Sponsors
Rep. Brandon W. Phelps-Aaron Schock

Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Dan Kotowski)

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a payment that is required to be made by every out-of-state corporation, company, and association which is engaged in effecting fire insurance in a municipality must be paid to the foreign fire insurance board (instead of the municipality). Effective immediately.
Last Action 

HB 5124
Short Description:  INS CD-FIREMEN CONTIN PRIV
House Sponsors
Rep. Lou Lang

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Changes the definition of "retirement or disability period" to include the period when the disabled or retired fireman, if not currently enrolled in the municipal group insurance plan at the time of disability or retirement, may elect to enroll in the municipal group insurance plan during an open enrollment period. Makes corresponding changes in the provision. Effective immediately.

House Amendment No. 1
     Provides that there is no rulemaking authority under the amendatory Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion.
Last Action 

HB 5613
Short Description:  MEDICAID-AMBULANCE SERVICES

House Sponsors
Rep. John E. Bradley-LaShawn K. Ford

Synopsis As Introduced
      Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Replaces the provisions concerning medical assistance payments for ambulance services. Provides that for ambulance services provided to a recipient of medical assistance on or after July 1, 2008, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse ambulance service providers for base charges and mileage charges based upon the lesser of the provider's charge, as reflected on the provider's claim form, or the Illinois Medicaid Ambulance Fee Schedule rate calculated in accordance with the provisions set forth in the bill. Provides that the requirement of payment by the Department for ground ambulance services is deemed to be met if the services are provided pursuant to a request for evaluation, treatment, and transport from an individual with a condition of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that a delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health. Effective immediately.

House Amendment No. 1
     Provides that the bill's amendatory provisions apply to reimbursement of "ground" ambulance service providers (instead of all ambulance service providers) under the medical assistance program. Restores provisions of current law concerning certifications by providers of non-emergency medi-car and service car transportation that were stricken by the bill.

House Amendment No. 2
     Provides that neither the Governor nor any agency or agency head under the jurisdiction of the Governor has any rulemaking authority under the amendatory Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion.