HB1149 - 104th General Assembly

HIGHER ED-FIREFIGHTER CREDIT
Last Action

6/20/2025 - House: Sent to the Governor
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance

New Act
Synopsis As Introduced

Creates the Educational Credit for Firefighting Experience Act. Provides that before June 1, 2027, each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for firefighter training considered applicable to the requirements of a student's certificate or degree program. Requires the policy to apply to any individual who is enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has completed a firefighting training course or program that meets certain requirements. Provides that each institution of higher education shall develop a procedure for receiving the necessary documentation, provide a copy of its policy to certain applicants, and develop and maintain a list of qualifying firefighting training courses and programs. Provides that each institution of higher education shall submit its policy for awarding academic credit to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, if applicable, before June 30, 2027 and before June 30 of each year thereafter. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who are firefighters to assess enrollment and completion outcomes.

House Committee Amendment No. 1

Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Specifies that the institutions of higher education that have to adopt a policy under the Act are institutions of higher education with an applicable program that offers at least one course for credit hours recommended for equivalency by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for firefighting training courses and programs. Requires the policy to be submitted by March 31, 2027 and by March 31 of each year thereafter for the policy that is effective in the subsequent fall semester (rather than by June 30, 2027 and before June 30 of each year thereafter). Provides that the policy shall be incorporated into the institution's credit for prior learning policies required to be submitted pursuant to the Credit for Prior Learning Act. Removes language requiring the Board of Higher Education to collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who are firefighters to assess enrollment and completion outcomes.
Actions

Date Chamber Action
1/05/2025 House Prefiled with Clerk by Rep. Dan Swanson
1/09/2025 House First Reading
1/09/2025 House Referred to Rules Committee
2/05/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Sheehan
2/05/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason R. Bunting
2/11/2025 House Assigned to Higher Education Committee
3/04/2025 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Dan Swanson
3/04/2025 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
3/05/2025 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Higher Education Committee
3/05/2025 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Higher Education Committee; by Voice Vote
3/05/2025 House Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Higher Education Committee; 012-000-000
3/06/2025 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
3/18/2025 House Second Reading - Short Debate
3/18/2025 House Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
3/18/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Ugaste
4/08/2025 House Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 115-000-000
4/08/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson
4/08/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan
4/08/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl
4/08/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Steven Reick
4/08/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles Meier
4/08/2025 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
4/09/2025 Senate Arrive in Senate
4/09/2025 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading
4/09/2025 Senate Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Neil Anderson
4/09/2025 Senate First Reading
4/09/2025 Senate Referred to Assignments
4/23/2025 Senate Assigned to Higher Education
4/30/2025 Senate Do Pass Higher Education; 011-000-000
4/30/2025 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 1, 2025
5/01/2025 Senate Second Reading
5/01/2025 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 6, 2025
5/20/2025 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
5/21/2025 Senate Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Dale Fowler
5/22/2025 Senate Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
5/22/2025 Senate Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000
5/22/2025 House Passed Both Houses
6/20/2025 House Sent to the Governor