Firefighter age bill stalled despite union backing
[April 06, 2026]
By Catrina Barker
(The Center Square) – A proposed Illinois bill aimed at addressing
firefighter shortages by lowering the minimum hiring age has stalled in
the legislature after failing to be called before a key deadline.
State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, is behind House Bill 1098, which
would amend the state’s municipal code and Fire Protection District Act
to allow individuals as young as 18 to serve as full-time firefighters.
Current law requires firefighters to be at least 21 years old.
Davis said the measure is designed to tackle ongoing staffing shortages
while opening the door for younger adults seeking alternatives to
college.
“There’s a huge shortage,” Davis told The Center Square. “We’re losing
young people between 18 and 21 to other trades and opportunities because
they simply can’t take these jobs.”
Davis argues that 18-year-olds are already entrusted with
high-responsibility roles, including military service, making the
current restriction inconsistent.
“We’ll send them into war, but we won’t send them into a neighbor’s home
to save a life,” he said.
Under the proposal, training and certification requirements would remain
unchanged. Davis emphasized that firefighting and emergency medical
roles already require rigorous preparation, noting that not all
candidates successfully complete the necessary programs.
“These aren’t jobs you just walk into,” he said. “The people who qualify
are trained, certified, and ready.”
The bill also includes a pension-related provision, allowing
firefighters who complete 30 years of service before age 55 to retire
without penalty – an adjustment tied to the proposed lower hiring age.
[to top of second column]
|
A firefighter walks beside a fire truck outside a fire station.
Photo: Grace David / The Center Square
Despite backing from firefighter unions, which Davis said he secured
while drafting the legislation, the bill has yet to gain traction in
Springfield. It currently sits in committee and was not called
before lawmakers adjourned for spring break.
Davis expressed frustration with the lack of movement, arguing the
measure has broad appeal and could easily gain bipartisan support if
brought forward.
“You can say you care about filling shortages,” he said, “but when
legislation like this isn’t even called, it contradicts that
message.”
Davis said he was later told the proposal would be folded into a
larger omnibus package, which ultimately did not move forward.
The bill was reintroduced this session and assigned to a different
committee, where it again failed to be called before the legislative
deadline.
“Last session it was in the Police and Fire Committee, and I had the
chairman’s word saying, ‘Hey, we’ll call your bill if you get
agreement with the union,’” Davis said. “I got agreement with the
union, we filed an amendment, and he said, ‘Good job, we’re calling
your bill tomorrow.’ Then about eight hours before, I got notice
they pulled it.”
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
