Kelly Passes Bills Aimed at Helping First Responders Harmed in the Line of Duty

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Mike Kelly, D-Chicago, is supporting first responders and their families by passing a pair of bills assisting first responders who have been injured, disabled or killed in the line of duty out of the Illinois House of Representatives.

“As Vice-Chair of the Police & Fire Committee and a firefighter for nearly 20 years, I understand the importance of helping those who have sacrificed in the name of protecting their community,” said Kelly. “These bills will play a part in our state’s ongoing efforts to support our first responders.”

Kelly’s House Bill 4321 expands eligibility for disability benefits for those who became disabled from a COVID-19 infection while in the line of duty. Currently, only Chicago has a law guaranteeing this. Kelly’s bill would provide this guarantee to every first responder in Illinois.

House Bill 5288 introduces specialty vehicle plates that will fund grants to the 100 Club of Illinois, a non-profit charity that provides support to the families of first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Kelly secured unanimous support for both bills on the House floor. They now move to the Senate.

“First responders and their families need to know we have their backs,” said Kelly. “We need to do everything we can to pay first responders back for the work they’ve done to keep us safe. These bills will help first responders who have been harmed in the line of duty and their families receive the support they need.”