104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1903

 

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Sen. Sally J. Turner

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act
30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new

    Creates the Firefighter Health and Wellness Act. Provides that the Firefighter Health and Wellness Unit is created within the Department of Public Health to investigate the impact of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure and the rising incidence of cancer among firefighters in Illinois. Provides that the Unit shall conduct a comprehensive study, including baseline PFAS sampling for Illinois firefighters and the provision of cancer screenings. Provides that funding for the Unit shall be allocated from the Firefighter Health and Wellness Fund for the purpose of long-term research focused on understanding the higher rates of cancer within the Illinois firefighter community. Provides that the Unit shall collaborate with Illinois-based universities to develop testing parameters, establish guidelines for voluntary firefighter participation and screening, and identify the root causes contributing to the increased cancer risks faced by Illinois firefighters. Creates the Firefighter Health and Wellness Fund as a separate fund in the State treasury. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be appropriated by the General Assembly to the Firefighter Health and Wellness Unit for the purposes described in the provision. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.


LRB104 09728 BDA 19794 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1903LRB104 09728 BDA 19794 b

1    AN ACT concerning firefighter health and wellness.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Firefighter Health and Wellness Act.
 
6    Section 5. Firefighter Health and Wellness Unit.
7    (a) The Firefighter Health and Wellness Unit is created
8within the Department of Public Health to investigate the
9impact of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)
10exposure and the rising incidence of cancer among firefighters
11in Illinois. The Unit shall conduct a comprehensive study,
12including baseline PFAS sampling for Illinois firefighters and
13the provision of cancer screenings. Funding for the Unit shall
14be allocated from the Firefighter Health and Wellness Fund for
15the purpose of long-term research focused on understanding the
16higher rates of cancer within the Illinois firefighter
17community. The Unit shall collaborate with Illinois-based
18universities to develop testing parameters, establish
19guidelines for voluntary firefighter participation and
20screening, and identify the root causes contributing to the
21increased cancer risks faced by Illinois firefighters.
22    (b) The Firefighter Health and Wellness Fund is created as
23a special fund in the State treasury. Moneys in the Fund shall

 

 

SB1903- 2 -LRB104 09728 BDA 19794 b

1be appropriated by the General Assembly to the Firefighter
2Health and Wellness Unit for the purposes described in
3subsection (a).
 
4    Section 90. The State Finance Act is amended by adding
5Section 5.1030 as follows:
 
6    (30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new)
7    Sec. 5.1030. The Firefighter Health and Wellness Fund.