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Governor Signs Four Fire Safety Laws

Legislation requiring all college dorms in Illinois to have sprinklers installed within the next couple years is one of four new fire safety bills Governor Pat Quinn signed into law.

The bill beefs up past legislation by instituting tougher penalties for post-secondary schools that don't comply. That includes a $1,000 per day fine if sprinklers are not installed by September 1, 2014.

"The previous law didn't have any teeth on it if they didn't comply," said the bill's sponsor, State Representative Skip Saviano (R-Elmwood Park). "This gives them an extra year, but it actually has penalties and has some teeth in it where they have to comply by that certain date."
 
Quinn also signed legislation that encourages fire protection districts to buy equipment built in-state. They'll receive lower interest rates on loans to buy fire vehicles made in Illinois.

The other two new laws consolidate loan programs to help departments buy emergency equipment and streamline the examination process to hire local firefighters.

Thanks to Illinois Public Radio

Rich is TSPR's News Director.