Legislation
The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association actively monitors legislation, regulations, and public policy issues that impact the Illinois fire service. Through advocacy, partnerships, and member engagement, IFCA works to ensure the voice of fire service leaders is represented on issues affecting fire departments, firefighters, and the communities they serve.
Fire Services Association
The Illinois Fire Services Association was created in the Late 1980’s for the purpose of having a single voice on legislative issues at both the state federal level of government. The Illinois Fire Service Association is composed of the following 13 associations/agencies in Illinois:
- Illinois Society Fire Service Instructors
- Illinois Firefighters Association
- Illinois Professional Firefighters Association
- Illinois Fire Inspectors Association
- Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
- Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Illinois Fire Safety Alliance
- City of Chicago Fire Department
- Illinois Fire Service Institute
- Illinois Fire Chiefs Association
- Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts
- Mutual Aid Box Alarm System
- Northern Illinois Association of Fire Protection District
In 2002, Speaker of the House, Representative Michael Madigan created a task force to seek information regarding the current issues and needs of the fire and EMS services in Illinois.
Representative Don Moffitt and Representative Mike Smith were the first co-chairmen of the task force and from their hearings and meetings they developed the Illinois Fire Service Caucus. The Caucus has bipartisan membership from both the House and the Senate.
On a yearly basis, the Illinois Fire Services Association host a Legislative Summit attended by all of its members to identify the critical issues that the fire and EMS services in Illinois were facing. Post-Summit committees work on legislation content that is provided to a Legislator in the House or Senate for sponsoring as a Bill. A list of those Bills become the foundation of the Illinois Fire Services Association Fire Caucus Bill List. Only suggested Bill content/subject matter items that receive a 100% vote of support from all of the member agencies are part of the Fire Caucus Bill list for consideration for sponsorship by the Fire Caucus as a Bill.
The Fire Services Association also provides the coordination and staffing of the Fire Safety displays at the annual Illinois State Fair in August of each year. As part of the Fire Museum on the Fair Grounds the Fire Services Association partners provide fire safety education for all of the visitors to the State Fair. Member groups provide personnel on their assigned day to deliver the fire safety messaging that keeps our residents safe and informed.
Legislative Watchlist
The IFCA Legislative Watchlist provides members with the latest information on legislation and regulatory issues affecting the Illinois fire service. Bills and initiatives are monitored throughout the legislative session and updated regularly to help members stay informed on issues that may impact their departments, personnel, and communities.
View current legislation, bill summaries, status updates, and advocacy resources.
Illinois General Assembly
Congressional Fire Service Institute
International Association of Fire Chiefs Legislative IssuesSlip a Bill
As part of the legislative process, hearings are conducted in both the House and Senate where all proposed legislation and other matters are discussed. After discussion about a Bill, the Committee may vote on that Bill. If a vote is positive, the Bill is sent to the Full House or Senate for consideration. During the committee hearing process, the Committee accepts Witness Slips.
If you wish to file a witness slip on legislation, an individual must register with the Illinois General Assembly through their internet Dashboard and create a profile. Once your profile is created, you can file witness slips or view, update, track any of the witness slips you have filed in either the House or Senate. Your position on a committee agenda item can be heard without being in the Hearing Room.
Cadet and Explorer Programs
The Joint Labor Management Committee (JLMC) is a statutory Committee established under 50 ILCS 742/50(g). One of the many responsibilities of the JLMC is to approve cadet training programs. The JLMC has established rules to approve these programs.
Fire Department applicants who have successfully completed 2 years of study in fire techniques or cadet training within a cadet program established under the rules of the JLMC may be preferred for appointment to and employment with the fire department.
(from Municipal Hiring 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7.1(h)2, Civil Service 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6.3(h)2, District Act 70 ILCS 705/16.06b(h)2)
Currently, the following programs have attained JLMC approval:
- Aurora Explorer Post #99
- Frankfort Fire Cadet Program
- Naperville Explorer Post #911
- Springfield Explorer Post #300
- Sugar Grove Fire Cadet Program
If your Explorer Post or Cadet program is interested in obtaining approval through the JLMC, please review this checklist to determine if your program meets these criteria. The JLMC is happy to assist you with the process and encourages your program to consider approval.
For information on the State Statute regarding Apprentice Points, click here.
For additional information, contact the Executive Director of the IFCA at execdir@illinoisfirechiefs.org.
