Illinois Governor Signs Four Fire Safety Bills

Legislation requiring all Illinois college dorms to have sprinklers installed within two years is one of four new fire safety bills Governor Pat Quinn signed into law yesterday.  The bill beefs up past legislation by instituting tougher penalties for post-secondary schools that don't comply, including a $1,000-a-day fine if sprinklers aren't installed by September 1, 2014.  Quinn also signed legislation encouraging fire protection districts to buy equipment built in the state. They'll get lower interest rates on loans to buy fire vehicles made in Illinois.  Other legislation consolidates loan programs to help departments buy emergency equipment and streamlines the examination process to hire local firefighters.