Yednock Legislation to Provide Labor Education for Firefighters Passes Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, to allow firefighter academy graduates to receive a brief history of the labor movement for firefighters passed out of the House Labor and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support.

“The labor movement has been a driving force behind new advances in safety, better pay and benefits for firefighters in Illinois, and I think it’s important that new firefighters understand its importance,” said Yednock. “I’m proud to have worked with firefighters representing all parts of our state on a bill that can provide new education about how much the labor movement has done when it comes to keeping firefighters safe as they continue to serve our communities in some of the most difficult and dangerous times.”

House Bill 2215 allows for candidates to receive a brief presentation that provides them with a historical perspective on the labor movement in the fire service. The education also helps provide the information how the two major labor unions representing firefighters have been the driving force behind nearly every advance and improvement in fire and emergency services over the last 101 years.

“The AFFI is honored that Representative Yednock recognized the importance of including a brief educational presentation of labor history in the fire service in the curriculum for new firefighter recruits on Illinois,” said Chuck Sullivan, legislative representative for the Associated Firefighters of Illinois (AFFI). “We appreciate his hard work ensuring the bill passed out of the House Labor committee.”

House Bill 2215 passed committee with bipartisan support and now awaits full passage on the floor of the Illinois House of Representative.