HB1402enr 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB1402 Enrolled LRB094 07110 AJO 37255 b

AN ACT in relation to fire fighters.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Firemen's Disciplinary Act is amended by changing Sections 2 and 3.2 as follows:

(50 ILCS 745/2) (from Ch. 85, par. 2502)

Sec. 2. For the purposes of this Act, unless clearly required otherwise, the terms defined in this Section have the meaning ascribed herein:

(a) "Fireman" means a person who is a "firefighter" or "fireman" as defined in Sections 4-106 or 6-106 of the Illinois Pension Code, and includes a person who is an "employee" as defined in Section 15-107 of the Illinois Pension Code and whose primary duties relate to firefighting.

(b) "Informal inquiry" means a meeting by supervisory or command personnel with a fireman upon whom an allegation of misconduct has come to the attention of such supervisory or command personnel, the purpose of which meeting is to mediate a citizen complaint or discuss the facts to determine whether a formal investigation should be commenced.

(c) "Formal investigation" means the process of investigation ordered by a commanding officer during which the questioning of a fireman is intended to gather evidence of misconduct which may be the basis for filing charges seeking his or her removal, discharge, or suspension from duty in excess of 24 duty 72 hours.

(d) "Interrogation" means the questioning of a fireman pursuant to an investigation initiated by the respective State or local governmental unit in connection with an alleged violation of such unit's rules which may be the basis for filing charges seeking his or her suspension, removal, or discharge. The term does not include questioning as part of an informal inquiry as to allegations of misconduct relating to minor infractions of agency rules which may be noted on the fireman's record but which may not in themselves result in removal, discharge, or suspension from duty in excess of 24 duty 72 hours.

(e) "Administrative proceeding" means any non-judicial hearing which is authorized to recommend, approve or order the suspension, removal, or discharge of a fireman.

(Source: P.A. 85-606.)

(50 ILCS 745/3.2) (from Ch. 85, par. 2505)

Sec. 3.2. No fireman shall be subjected to questioning in relation to an allegation of misconduct without first being informed in writing of the allegations and whether the allegations, if proven, involve minor infractions or may result in removal, discharge, or suspension from duty in excess of 24 duty 72 hours. If an administrative proceeding is instituted, the fireman shall be informed beforehand of the names of all complainants and all information necessary to reasonably apprise the fireman of the nature of the charges and the preparation of a defense.

(Source: P.A. 85-606.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.