Gill Advances Plan Encouraging Better Investment in Emergency Response Vehicles

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Municipalities would be required to set aside additional resources for ambulance and fire emergency vehicles under a plan advanced out of a House committee Thursday by state Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago.

“When our firefighters and paramedics are called to an emergency, they deserve to have the tools they need to do their job safely and effectively,” Gill said. “Unfortunately, I’ve heard from fire union representatives that there have been times when stations have been unable to go to fires due to having
no working fire engines on site. This is an unacceptable hazard, and we need to make sure municipalities are being proactive in responsibly investing in upkeep.”

Under Gill’s House Bill 2977, municipalities must place at least 10% of all insurance reimbursements for ambulance and fire services into a fund dedicated to purchasing and maintaining ambulances, fire engines and other vehicles used for emergency services. Gill introduced the plan after learning from union fire officials that reimbursements currently go into municipal general revenue funds. As a result, such funds can be spent on items or needs unrelated to fire or emergency medical services.

“When there is an emergency and lives are at stake and time matters, we need to make sure our emergency response vehicles are always ready to meet the moment,” Gill said. “Let’s make sure we’re taking the steps necessary to have modern, well-maintained equipment always available.”

House Bill 2977 passed the Police & Fire Committee Thursday with bipartisan support, and now heads to the full House for consideration.

For more information, please contact RepMaryGill@gmail.com.