Bill
SB 2645
Expands fire station grants to include not-for-profit 501(c)(3) fire departments, allowing capital funds for rehabilitation or construction alongside units of local government.
Status: Died in Committee (as reported)
Introduced: March 13, 2025 (filed); bill text dated April 8, 2025
Subject: Amendments to the State Fire Marshal Act — Fire station grants
Related: HB 5424 (companion), HB 2764 (companion)
Note on record inconsistencies
- The metadata supplied mixes entries and dates from multiple sources and jurisdictions (including 2024 committee actions that appear unrelated). Sponsor names also differ (Sen. Christopher Belt vs. Sen. Keohokalole and San Buenaventura). The bill text included below is taken from the version labeled “Introduced” and amends 20 ILCS 2905/2.8 (State Fire Marshal Act). Users should confirm final procedural status and text with the official legislative clerk or bill tracker.
Purpose and intent
- To expand eligibility for the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Station Rehabilitation and Construction Grant Program so that not-for-profit fire departments that are tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) (in addition to units of local government) can receive grants to rehabilitate or construct fire stations.
Key provisions
- Amends 20 ILCS 2905/2.8 (Fire Station Rehabilitation and Construction Grant Program).
- Specifies that the Office of the State Fire Marshal “shall establish and administer” the grant program to award grants to:
- Units of local government (existing), and
- Not-for-profit fire departments exempt under IRC §501(c)(3).
- Authorizes the Office to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the program.
- Scope of grants: rehabilitation or construction of fire stations.
- No specific appropriation amounts, funding source, or eligibility/prioritization criteria are specified in the provided text.
Who would be affected
- Primary beneficiaries: not-for-profit (501(c)(3)) fire departments—commonly volunteer or community-based departments—that previously were ineligible for these grants.
- Existing eligible entities (units of local government) remain eligible.
- The Office of the State Fire Marshal would administer expanded grant responsibilities (rulemaking, application review, award administration).
- Indirect beneficiaries: communities served by nonprofit fire departments (potentially improved fire station facilities and emergency response capability).
Potential impacts and considerations
- Expands access to capital funding for construction/rehabilitation to nonprofit fire departments, which could help rural and volunteer departments modernize facilities.
- Because the bill text does not specify funding levels or source, program expansion would depend on appropriation action or available grant funds; program demand could increase competition for limited resources.
- Administrative impacts: the Office will need to issue rules, handle applications from new applicant types, and potentially supervise more projects.
- The bill does not detail application criteria, match requirements, timelines, or reporting obligations—these would be set by Office rulemaking or additional statute.
Procedural/timeline notes
- The summary record contains conflicting dates and committee actions. The header lists the bill as “Died In Committee.” Users should verify current status and the enacted text (if any) with the official legislative website or clerk’s office.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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