IFSA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE by Margaret Vaughn, IFSA Lobbyist

From the January 2011 newsletter... Margaret Vaughn, IFSA Lobbyist

For the past two years, I have been working with IFSA to coordinate a series of legislative forums throughout various parts of the state. The purpose of the forums is for local fire officials and area legislators to come together so that the legislators can gain a better understanding of fire service’s needs and for local fire officials to learn first hand from legislators about the current state of affairs in Springfield. Last year I coordinated Forums in McHenry County, Will County and the Northwest Suburbs. This past March IFSA hosted their second annual McHenry County Legislative Forum at the Crystal Lake Village Hall, which was attended by Sen. Pam Althoff (R-Crystal Lake), Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) and Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock).

KANE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE FORUM Kane County Fire Officials

The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance hosted their second legislative forum of the year for Kane County fire officials at the Center in Elgin at the end of August. The event was attended by fire officials from a dozen fire departments/protection districts throughout Kane County. State Senator John Millner (R-Carol Stream) and State Senator Mike Noland (D-Elgin) were the keynote speakers and provided an update of the current state of affairs in Springfield and its impact on the fire service. I also provided an overview of fire service legislation. The event was wrapped up with a question and answer session in which fire officials were able to have an open discussion with their senators about specific legislation and local concerns. IFSA would also like to extend a special thanks to Elgin Fire Chief John Henrici for his hospitality in allowing us to hold the event in Elgin and to Sen. Milner and Sen. Noland for taking time out of their busy schedules to join us.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY FORUM SET FOR DECEMBER

The next IFSA Legislative Forum is for Winnebago County Fire Officials and is being held on December, 10th at the Rockford Fire Department 204 S. 1st Street. Winnebago County legislators and fire officials have been invited to attend. I will be providing an overview of legislation that was passed last session and an update of the issues we will be focusing on in the spring. Special thanks to Rockford Chief Derek Bergsten for allowing us to use his facility for the Forum.

ISFA TO CONTINUE FOCUS ON FIREWORKS LEGISLATION

IFSA President Jim Saletta and I attended the Illinois Fire Services Summit at Motorala in October. The Illinois Fire Services Association agreed to support IFSA legislation on requiring disclaimers on the legality of fire works on all advertisements of Class C fireworks in Illinois. I am also working on a county by county basis for the adoption of local ordinances to allow cars to be impounded for illegal fireworks.