SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Those who purchase a Firefighters Memorial license plate from the secretary of state will be contributing to a scholarship fund for the children of fallen firefighters under a bill being pushed by state Rep Kathleen Willis, D-Addison.

“This bill is an important way for the citizens of Illinois, as well as the state, to help support the families of fallen firefighters,” said Willis.  “When firefighters give their lives to protect our families, the least we can do is to try to support their families in turn.”

Under Willis’ Senate Bill 1465, the Illinois Fire Fighter’s Memorial Fund would be expanded to provide scholarship money to be awarded to children of fallen fighters for post-secondary education.  The money is generated from funds used for the Illinois Fire Fighters’ Memorial special license plate.  Currently, the money from those funds go to funding the Illinois Fire Fighter Museum in Springfield, the maintenance of the Fire Fighter Memorial on the Capitol grounds, and to scholarships for colleges and universities.  Rep. Willis, is working with the Office of the State Fire Marshal on this initiative.

“This bill is a common sense solution to provide security to the families of our fallen heroes,” said Willis.  “As the wife of a retired firefighter, I know the worries families feel when a firefighter goes into the line of duty and this bill will hopefully provide some safety to those who make the ultimate sacrifice.”

Willis is serving her third term in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative of the 77th District, which includes O’Hare Airport and portions of Addison, Bellwood, Bensenville, Franklin Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Stone Park, and Wood Dale.