SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill heading to the Illinois House floor could help provide important data surrounding firefighter deaths.
The Associated Firefighters of Illinois has asked lawmakers to require the State Fire Marshall's Office track and record the manner of death for firefighters across the state.
Sponsors said it is important to evaluate the types of death these first responders are experiencing, whether it is suicide or various types of cancer.
"If the bill is passed before June 1, 2025, then it would go into effect January 1, 2026," said Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin). "If passed after May 31, it would go into effect June 1, 2026."
This proposal passed unanimously out of the House Police & Fire Committee Thursday. Senate Bill 1446 gained unanimous support in the Senate earlier this month.
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
