Bill Status of HB1149  104th General Assembly

Short Description:  HIGHER ED-FIREFIGHTER CREDIT

House Sponsors
Rep. Dan Swanson, Patrick Sheehan, Jason R. Bunting, Dan Ugaste, Gregg Johnson, Rick Ryan, Tracy Katz Muhl, Steven Reick, Charles Meier and Nicolle Grasse

Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Neil Anderson and Dale Fowler)

Last Action
DateChamber Action
  5/20/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **

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 
DateChamber Action
  1/5/2025HousePrefiled with Clerk by Rep. Dan Swanson
  1/9/2025HouseFirst Reading
  1/9/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  2/5/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Sheehan
  2/5/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason R. Bunting
  2/11/2025HouseAssigned to Higher Education Committee
  3/4/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Dan Swanson
  3/4/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
  3/5/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Higher Education Committee
  3/5/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Higher Education Committee; by Voice Vote
  3/5/2025HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Higher Education Committee; 012-000-000
  3/6/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  3/18/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  3/18/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  3/18/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Ugaste
  4/8/2025HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 115-000-000
  4/8/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson
  4/8/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan
  4/8/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl
  4/8/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Steven Reick
  4/8/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles Meier
  4/8/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
  4/9/2025SenateArrive in Senate
  4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
  4/9/2025SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Neil Anderson
  4/9/2025SenateFirst Reading
  4/9/2025SenateReferred to Assignments
  4/23/2025SenateAssigned to Higher Education
  4/30/2025SenateDo Pass Higher Education; 011-000-000
  4/30/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 1, 2025
  5/1/2025SenateSecond Reading
  5/1/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 6, 2025
  5/20/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
  5/21/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Dale Fowler