Canty Passes Measure Backing Fire Fighters, Promoting Government Transparency

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A measure to give greater autonomy to fire protection districts, while promoting government transparency, authored by state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, recently passed the legislature and will go to the governor’s desk for signature.

“When I learned from fire fighters in our community that a shortfall in Illinois’ legal framework was adding expensive, time-consuming and wholly unnecessary challenges to their jobs, it was clear that we had to take action,” Canty said. “The measure we recently passed will eliminate pointless bureaucracy, end a spate of absurd legal challenges and enforce greater transparency in how public money is spent.”

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 House and Senate with strong bipartisan support.

“Two of my priorities are reinforcing public safety and prudent spending of taxpayer dollars,” Canty said. “Giving fire protection districts greater freedom to save and purchase essential equipment to do their jobs is a big step forward for both of those goals.”