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Small fire departments can tap new state fund to buy trucks
GALESBURG, Ill. - Saying firefighters "capture the spirit of America," Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation Tuesday to help small fire departments buy up-to-date equipment.
The new law creates a $10 million revolving loan fund. Departments will be able to tap into it for interest-free loans of up to $250,000. The loans must be repaid within 20 years.
Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, who helped pass the legislation, said small fire departments are struggling to afford new trucks, which can cost anywhere from $250,000 for the most basic kinds to nearly $850,000.
Blagojevich signed the bill at a Galesburg fire station, sitting next to a 1957 firetruck still being used in the little town of Williamsfield.
He praised firefighters for playing "a special role in our communities. They do more than fight fires. They capture the spirit of America."
Lawmakers pushed for the revolving fund after a series of hearings around the state at which firefighters complained that small departments were falling dangerously behind in equipment and training.
State fire officials have said that over 80 percent of Illinois is protected by volunteer fire departments that are struggling financially.
Moffitt said the $10 million will be enough to aid about 40 fire departments, although many more need assistance.
"It's a tremendous first step. That's all it is - a first step," he said.
Blagojevich is on a three-day tour of small northwestern Illinois towns.
During a visit to a Monmouth restaurant, a man calling himself Russell Carlton the Singing Trucker serenaded Blagojevich on the accordion with a song he wrote for the occasion. Carlton, of Oneida, sang:
"He's really here on business
He'll sign a bill today.
So wish him all good wishes
and send him on his way."
Later, in Aledo, Blagojevich signed legislation allowing special hunting seasons to target deer populations with signs of chronic wasting disease.
Joel Brunsvold, director of the state Department of Natural Resources, said deer hunting and related tourism pump millions of dollars into the Illinois economy, so it's important to keep the state's deer healthy.
has anyone else seen this story this past week and if so is anyone else thinking about taking it up. We are hoping to apply in order to replace 2 mid-50s pumper with a new Rescue/Pumper. Maybe the good Gov. should have came here to sign the bill into law
code_blue81
The new law creates a $10 million revolving loan fund. Departments will be able to tap into it for interest-free loans of up to $250,000. The loans must be repaid within 20 years.
Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, who helped pass the legislation, said small fire departments are struggling to afford new trucks, which can cost anywhere from $250,000 for the most basic kinds to nearly $850,000.
Blagojevich signed the bill at a Galesburg fire station, sitting next to a 1957 firetruck still being used in the little town of Williamsfield.
He praised firefighters for playing "a special role in our communities. They do more than fight fires. They capture the spirit of America."
Lawmakers pushed for the revolving fund after a series of hearings around the state at which firefighters complained that small departments were falling dangerously behind in equipment and training.
State fire officials have said that over 80 percent of Illinois is protected by volunteer fire departments that are struggling financially.
Moffitt said the $10 million will be enough to aid about 40 fire departments, although many more need assistance.
"It's a tremendous first step. That's all it is - a first step," he said.
Blagojevich is on a three-day tour of small northwestern Illinois towns.
During a visit to a Monmouth restaurant, a man calling himself Russell Carlton the Singing Trucker serenaded Blagojevich on the accordion with a song he wrote for the occasion. Carlton, of Oneida, sang:
"He's really here on business
He'll sign a bill today.
So wish him all good wishes
and send him on his way."
Later, in Aledo, Blagojevich signed legislation allowing special hunting seasons to target deer populations with signs of chronic wasting disease.
Joel Brunsvold, director of the state Department of Natural Resources, said deer hunting and related tourism pump millions of dollars into the Illinois economy, so it's important to keep the state's deer healthy.
has anyone else seen this story this past week and if so is anyone else thinking about taking it up. We are hoping to apply in order to replace 2 mid-50s pumper with a new Rescue/Pumper. Maybe the good Gov. should have came here to sign the bill into law
code_blue81
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