IFSLP Legislative Update

IFSLP Position on Active bills

IFSLP Position on In-Active bills

IFSLP Assignments

2007 Summit Issues

 Legislative Agenda – 2006/2007

Priority - A-4

Lead – MABA & IFCA

Authority to Collect Technical Rescue Team Fees

Problem

Currently there is no legislation for reimbursement of fees to Technical Rescue Teams.  The cost to train and provide equipment for these teams has a significant impact on the providing fire department.  Technical Rescue includes, but is not limited to, high angle rescue, confined space rescue and below grade rescue.  Cost of these types of specialized rescues can be exorbitant.

Solution

HB 4868

Enact user fee legislation for cost recovery from the proximate or responsible party who generated the need for TRT services.

Priority – A-6

Lead – IAFPD & NIAFPD

Authority for Fire Protection District to Collect Impact Fees

Problem

Currently fire protection districts do not have the ability to assess impact fees.

Solution

SB 2900

Enact legislation that allows other special purpose units of local government including fire protection district to assess impact fees.

Priority – A-8

Lead – IAFPD & NIAFPD

Amend Section 7 of the FPD Act (70ILCS 705/7)

Problem

Currently fire protection districts are required to publish lengthy budget, appropriation and code ordinances.  Other governmental agencies are NOT required to publish as extensively as fire protection districts.

Solution

HB 5266

The amendment could be made to strike the words “or making any appropriations" from the first sentence.  Fire Protection Districts would save considerable dollars. 

Priority – A-8

Lead – IAFPD & NIAFPD

Amend Section 16 of the FPD Act (70ILCS 705/15)

Problem

Currently fire protection districts affected by a disconnection are bit required to be notified to participate in the hearings for disconnection. 

Solution

HB 4960

Require that all parties concerned in a hearing be notified of the hearing.

Priority – A-8

Lead – IAFPD & NIAFPD

Amend PTEL Legislation

Problem

Fire protection districts are faced with uncontrolled pension costs.

Solution

HB 4382

Remove pension and tort out from under tax caps.

Priority – A-8

Lead – IAFPD & NIAFPD

Notification of Lawsuit for Property Tax Rebates/Refunds

Amend (35 ILCS 200/16-70)

Problem

Cook County fire protection districts are not notified of a lawsuit after the appeal process for property tax rebates/refunds.  Fire protection districts have no way to plan for future losses of property tax revenue and possible property tax refunds of up to three years of back taxes owed from the date a property tax exemption

is granted when a taxpayer files for a “certificate of error.”

Solution

The amendment (35 ILCS 200/23-20) could be amended to eliminate the exception for Cook County.

The amendment (35 ILCS 200/16-70) could be made to add fire protection district.

Priority – A-9

Lead -  IAFPD & NIAFPD

Amend FPD Act (70 ILCS 705/14 to raise the maximum rate to .60% from .40%, and allow for a partial increases.

Amend FPD Act (70 ILCS 705/22 to allow for a rate less than .30%.

Problem

Municipalities can increase their maximum ‘fire protection rate’ to the .60%. 

Fire protection districts desires to levy a special tax to provide an ambulance service must use specific referendum form asking for a special tax at a rate not to exceed .30%.

Solution

SB 2797

Amendment to (70 ILCS 705/14) increase fire protection districts maximum rate to .60%.

Amend (70 ILCS 705/22) the specific referendum form asking for a rate less than .30%.