Canty Advances Measure Promoting Government Transparency, Rights for First Responders

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, passed a measure out of the House that will guarantee greater government transparency and give more freedom to fire protection districts.

“Representatives of fire protection districts raised an issue with me that was making their jobs harder: poorly written regulations were restricting what they were allowed to save district funds for. The measure that passed this week is going to free up their ability to work to keep communities safe and help people in danger,” Canty said. “Red tape and nuisance legal challenges should never stand in the way of our first responders fulfilling responsibilities vital to public safety.”

House Bill 4359 explicitly allows fire protection districts to save money for long-term purchases in emergency medicine, such as new ambulances; and search and rescue, such as training for structural collapse procedures. It has the support of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, the Illinois Fire Chief Association, and passed the floor with strong bipartisan support. It will soon be heard in the Senate.

“We’re also going to see greater government transparency. How Illinois spends should always be clear to the public, and this measure guarantees that,” Canty said. “The steps we’re taking won’t just be helping our first responders, they’ll be cutting red tape so that taxpayers know where their money is going.”