IL House committee approves bill allowing not-for-profit fire departments to receive state grants

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan moving in the Illinois House could allow not-for-profit fire departments to receive state grant funding.

Many nonprofit fire departments in central and southern Illinois are currently unable to receive grant funding for equipment and building upgrades since the state only provides grants to municipal fire departments.

This bill allows the State Fire Marshal to create and award grants for not-for-profit fire departments and protection districts across the state.

"My expenses are the same as everybody else. I have to pay the electric bill. I still have to pay Renew Apparatus," said Signal Hill Fire Chief Tom Elliff. "I pay for the maintenance of the building. It's the same throughout every other fire department in the state of Illinois."

Sponsors said this change could help ensure these departments have the resources needed to protect residents safely and effectively.

Senate Bill 2645 passed unanimously out of the House Police & Fire Committee Thursday morning. The measure now moves to the House floor for further consideration.