Kirk, Local Firefighters Call On Governor Quinn to Adopt Firefighter Reciprocity for Veterans

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), accompanied by State Senators Jason Barickman and Bill Brady, State Representative Dan Brady, and Pat Devaney, President of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI), today called on Governor Pat Quinn to act on a bipartisan action to allow the State Fire Marshal to offer automatic reciprocity to veterans and members of the active duty, reserve and National Guard that possess Department of Defense-issued firefighter certifications. At least 38 states nationwide, including Illinois' neighbors Iowa, Missouri and Indiana offer automatic reciprocity for those that possess these DOD-issued certifications. The AFFI represents more than 15,000 professional firefighters in 211 communities across Illinois.

"Illinois is home to more than 700,000 veterans, a number of whom already possess the life-saving skills and training required to be a firefighter, but who are forced to re-certify due to our state's outdated reciprocity rules," Senator Kirk said. "I urge Governor Quinn to accept this reciprocity request so that the men and women who are returning home from service are able to make a smooth and successful transition into civilian life."

Today, Senator Kirk and U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-Ill.-13), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.-14), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.-16), Aaron Schock (R-Ill.-18) and John Shimkus (R-Ill.-19) sent a letter to Governor Quinn requesting he take action by Executive Order. Current rules require those holding certifications to challenge the tests through written and practical exams. A change in the reciprocity requirements would ensure that the men and women who already possess these skills and certifications are not subject to additional paperwork and bureaucracy as they work to rejoin the workforce.

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