Canty Law Backing Local Fire Fighters, Promoting Government Transparency Signed into Law

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, 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, was signed into law last week.

“When first responders don’t have the tools they need to do their jobs, it puts this community at risk,” Canty said. “Hampering fire fighters with senseless regulations restricts their vital work and forces them to pour resources into slapping down ridiculous legal challenges. Closing the legal loophole that puts roadblocks between fire protection districts and essential purchases, including ambulances and search and rescue equipment, is a big step for 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 was just signed into law last week.

“I’m for full transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent without exception,” Canty said. “In addition to making us safer and giving fire fighters more freedom of action, this law will make it easier for our community to see where their money is going.”