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HB 2476

FIREFIGHTER-AGE RESTRICTION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Kifowit

Lower the minimum hire age for full-time firefighters from 21 to 18, expanding 18-20 year old applicants while preserving existing recruitment and certification processes.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2476

Summary — HB 2476: Firefighter‑Age Restriction

Status: Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee
Introduced: February 4–5, 2025
Primary sponsor (per filing): Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton
Cosponsors: (see full list provided with bill—multiple state legislators listed)

Purpose / Intent

HB 2476 amends existing municipal and fire‑district statutes to change the minimum age eligibility for employment as a full‑time firefighter. The bill’s stated effect is to lower the age threshold for hire from 21 years to 18 years.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act (statutory citations in the bill: 65 ILCS 5/10‑1‑7.1 and 65 ILCS 5/10‑2.1‑6.3) and also references 70 ILCS 705/16.06b.
  • Replaces language that currently bars persons under age 21 from being hired as firefighters with language permitting persons 18 and older to be eligible for employment as firefighters.
  • Other hiring framework in the existing statute remains in place: original appointment processes, registers of eligibles, public competitive exams, validators for testing, residency rules, and selection rules (e.g., ranking and top‑percent appointment provisions).
  • Existing exclusions remain unchanged in the portion of statute shown: part‑time, auxiliary/reserve/volunteer and paid‑on‑call firefighters; civilian clerks/dispatchers; and elected officials are not considered “firefighters” for these rules.

Who Is Affected

  • Municipal fire departments and fire protection districts that use the referenced statutory hiring procedures.
  • Prospective firefighter applicants aged 18–20, who would become newly eligible for full‑time firefighter positions.
  • Local civil service/civil commission processes and departments that administer recruitment, testing, and certification.
  • State universities or other public employers using similar statutory definitions for firefighter employment (per 70 ILCS reference).

Potential Impacts

  • Expands applicant pool for entry‑level, full‑time firefighter positions by including 18–20 year olds.
  • Municipalities may need to update recruitment materials, application and testing procedures, and internal policies to accommodate younger hires.
  • Training, mentoring, and supervision requirements may require adjustments to ensure 18–20 year old hires meet operational and safety standards.
  • Pension, benefits, and labor/collective‑bargaining implications could arise where length of service and age intersect with eligibility or benefit calculations (impacts depend on local contracts and pension rules).
  • Fiscal impact likely limited on its face, but local costs could change depending on training, supervision, or any increased hiring.

Procedure / Timeline

  • Filed/First Readings: early Feb 2025 (filed Feb 3–5; first readings Feb 4–5).
  • Committee assignments: Referred to Rules; assigned to Police & Fire Committee; also saw referral to Higher Education (per docket entries).
  • Public hearing: Considered and testimony recorded on May 6, 2025; left pending in committee.
  • Most recent status listed: Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee (Mar 21, 2025).

Note: The bill text as provided focuses on lowering the minimum hire age; it otherwise preserves existing statutory hiring mechanics (registers, testing, and appointment rules). Municipalities should review the full bill text and related local rules to assess operational and legal effects.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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