FIREFIGHTER HEALTH & WELLNESS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Doris Turner and 1 co-sponsor

Creates the Firefighter Health and Wellness Unit in IDPH and a dedicated fund to study PFAS exposure and firefighter cancer, provide baseline testing, screenings, and research.

Summary — SB 1903: Firefighter Health and Wellness Act

Status (as of documents provided)
- Filed by Sen. Sally J. Turner (primary) on Feb 6, 2025; Sen. Doris Turner added as chief co‑sponsor (Oct 7, 2025).
- Passed one chamber on May 12, 2025 (read 1st–3rd times and passed/engrossed).
- Received by the other chamber and referred to the Public Education committee on May 14, 2025.
- Committee deadlines and referrals recorded through June 2025.

Purpose
- Establish a dedicated state unit and fund to investigate the relationship between firefighter exposure to per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and a reported rise in cancer among Illinois firefighters, to provide baseline testing and cancer screening, and to support long‑term research into causes and mitigation.

Key provisions
1. Creation of the Firefighter Health and Wellness Unit
- Located within the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
- Tasked to investigate PFAS exposure and rising cancer incidence among Illinois firefighters.
- Required to conduct a comprehensive study that includes:
- Baseline PFAS sampling for Illinois firefighters.
- Provision (and facilitation) of cancer screenings.
- Long‑term research into higher cancer rates in the firefighter community.
- Directed to collaborate with Illinois‑based universities to:
- Develop testing parameters.
- Establish guidelines for voluntary firefighter participation and screening.
- Identify root causes contributing to increased cancer risk.

Creation of the Firefighter Health and Wellness Fund

Added to the State Finance Act as Section 5.1030 (30 ILCS 105/5.1030).
Designated as a separate special fund in the State treasury.
Moneys in the Fund are to be appropriated by the General Assembly to the Unit for the purposes described (sampling, screening, research).

Conforming amendments

State Finance Act amended to add the Fund; proceeds are subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.

Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: current and former Illinois firefighters (career and volunteer) through testing, screening, and research aimed at understanding and reducing cancer risk.
- State agencies: IDPH (new Unit), state treasury (management of the special Fund).
- Illinois universities: potential research and technical partners.
- Local fire departments may be involved in facilitating participation and sample collection.

Potential impacts and considerations
- Public health benefits: improved exposure data, early cancer detection, and research to inform prevention and policy.
- Budgetary: activities depend on appropriations from the Firefighter Health and Wellness Fund; actual costs will depend on amounts the General Assembly allocates.
- Participation is described as voluntary; privacy, consent, and follow‑up care pathways will be important practical issues to address during implementation.
- Findings could inform workplace practices, use of PFAS‑containing materials, protective equipment policies, and compensation/presumption laws for occupational cancer claims.

Next procedural steps
- As of May 14, 2025, referred to the Public Education committee (House); subject to committee consideration and appropriation actions thereafter.