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HB 3224

Relating to background checks; and declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lucetta Elmer and 5 co-sponsors

Expands the Line of Duty Compensation Act to explicitly include EMS personnel and EMT-paramedics, widening eligibility for line-of-duty death and injury benefits.

Chapter 302, (2025 Laws): Effective date June 11, 2025.
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Bill Summary · HB 3224

HB 3224 — Summary (2025)

Sponsor: Rep. Wayne A. Rosenthal
Subject: Amendments to the Line of Duty Compensation Act (820 ILCS 315) — adds emergency medical services personnel; emergency effective date.
Status: Chapter 302, 2025 Laws. Governor signed June 11, 2025. Effective June 11, 2025.

Purpose / Intent

HB 3224 amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act to expressly include emergency medical services (EMS) personnel among the categories of public safety workers covered by the Act. The bill clarifies and updates several statutory definitions and the circumstances under which an injury or death qualifies as "killed in the line of duty." An emergency clause makes the changes immediately effective upon signature.

Key provisions

  • Amends Sections 2–4 of the Line of Duty Compensation Act (820 ILCS 315).
  • Explicitly includes "emergency medical services personnel" (including paramedics and Emergency Medical Technician‑Paramedic volunteers certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health) within definitions of covered public safety personnel.
  • Revises/clarifies the definition of "killed in the line of duty": death resulting from injury received in the active performance of duties (including EMS duties) that occurs within one year of the injury and arises from violence or accidental cause.
  • Maintains exclusions for deaths resulting from the willful misconduct or intoxication of the covered person; places burden of proof for such misconduct on the Attorney General.
  • Keeps existing, specific rules for Corrections and Juvenile Justice employees (e.g., deaths caused by the willful act of an inmate/ward/parolee are covered).
  • Includes supervisors, volunteers, and other categories already in the Act; extends that coverage language to encompass EMS roles.

Who is affected

  • Emergency medical services personnel (paid and certified volunteer EMT‑Paramedics) in Illinois become explicitly covered under the Line of Duty Compensation Act.
  • Existing covered groups (law enforcement officers, firemen, civil defense workers, civil air patrol members, paramedics, chaplains, State employees in certain circumstances) remain subject to the Act as amended.
  • Survivors/beneficiaries of EMS personnel who die or are catastrophically injured in covered circumstances may become eligible for line‑of‑duty compensation/benefits.

Procedural timeline / legislative actions

  • Introduced: February 2025 (Rep. Wayne A. Rosenthal).
  • Committee referrals, hearings, work sessions April–May 2025.
  • Passed both chambers in late May–early June 2025.
  • Governor signed: June 11, 2025. Chapter 302, 2025 Laws. Effective: June 11, 2025 (emergency clause).

Potential impact

  • Expands eligibility for line‑of‑duty compensation to EMS workers and certified volunteer paramedics, potentially increasing the number of claims paid under the Act.
  • Fiscal effects (state and local) depend on future claim filings; the bill text does not specify funding or benefit changes, only changes to covered categories and definitions.

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

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