SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce passed a bill in the Senate that would increase the size of the loans that may be made to support purchases of emergency vehicles, all while cutting down on administrative costs.

“As our cities and towns continue to grow ─ local fire departments must grow with them,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Our first responders need to be well equipped to keep our communities safe, and this bill helps them secure what they need.”

Senate Bill 3018 would establish that fire truck loan, fire station loan and ambulance loan programs must be paid out of locally held funds established by the Illinois Finance Authority instead of a special fund at the state treasury. In addition, the bill would raise the caps on allowable loan sizes for the programs.

Under current law, loan repayments are made to IFA, which must repay them to the state treasury, which then sends funds to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. This process creates administrative inefficiencies that could be eliminated. Joyce emphasized that fixing this process would save the state money.

“As the cost of fire apparatus continues to rise, it is becoming increasingly difficult especially for small and volunteer departments to acquire the fire trucks and ambulances they need to protect their communities and keep firefighters safe,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “By increasing the amount departments can access through our no- and low-interest loan program, we are helping ensure they have the resources necessary to invest in reliable, modern apparatus.”

Senate Bill 3018 passed the full Senate with bipartisan support.