Public Act 0901 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB3373 Enrolled LRB097 18408 PJG 63634 b

Public Act 097-0901

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The State Fire Marshal Act is amended by changing Section 2.7 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2905/2.7)

Sec. 2.7. Small Fire-fighting and Ambulance Service Equipment Grant Program.

(a) The Office shall establish and administer a Small Fire-fighting and Ambulance Service Equipment Grant Program to award grants to fire departments, fire protection districts, and volunteer, non-profit, stand alone ambulance services for the purchase of small fire-fighting and ambulance equipment.

(b) (Blank). The Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. From appropriations, the Office may expend moneys from the Fund for the grant program under subsection (a) of this Section. Moneys received for the purposes of this Section, including, without limitation, proceeds deposited under the Fire Investigation Act and gifts, grants, and awards from any public or private entity must be deposited into the Fund. Any interest earned on moneys in the Fund must be deposited into the Fund.

(b-1) The Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund is dissolved. Any moneys remaining in the Fund on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly shall be transferred to the Fire Prevention Fund.

(c) As used in this Section, "small fire-fighting and ambulance equipment" includes, without limitation, turnout gear, air packs, thermal imaging cameras, jaws of life, defibrillators, communications equipment, including but not limited to pagers and radios, and other fire-fighting or life saving equipment, as determined by the State Fire Marshal.

(d) The Office shall adopt any rules necessary for the implementation and administration of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 95-717, eff. 4-8-08; 96-386, eff. 8-13-09.)

Section 10. The Illinois Finance Authority Act is amended by changing Sections 825-80, 825-81, and 825-85 and by adding Section 825-87 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3501/825-80)

Sec. 825-80. Fire truck revolving loan program.

(a) This Section is a continuation and re-enactment of the fire truck revolving loan program enacted as Section 3-27 of the Rural Bond Bank Act by Public Act 93-35, effective June 24, 2003, and repealed by Public Act 93-205, effective January 1, 2004. Under the Rural Bond Bank Act, the program was administered by the Rural Bond Bank and the State Fire Marshal.

(b) The Authority and the State Fire Marshal may shall jointly administer a fire truck revolving loan program. The program shall, in instances where sufficient loan funds exist to permit applications to be accepted, provide zero-interest and low-interest loans for the purchase of fire trucks by a fire department, a fire protection district, or a township fire department. The Authority shall make loans based on need, as determined by the State Fire Marshal.

(c) The loan funds, subject to appropriation, shall be paid out of the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, a special fund in the State Treasury. The Fund shall consist of any moneys transferred or appropriated into the Fund, as well as all repayments of loans made under the program and any balance existing in the Fund on the effective date of this Section. The Fund shall be used for loans to fire departments and fire protection districts to purchase fire trucks and for no other purpose. All interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund. As soon as practical after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, all moneys in the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund shall be paid by the State Fire Marshal to the Authority, and, on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, all future moneys deposited into the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund under this Section shall be paid by the State Fire Marshal to the Authority under the continuing appropriation provision of subsection (c-1) of this Section; provided that the Authority and the State Fire Marshal enter into an intergovernmental agreement to use the moneys transferred to the Authority from the Fund solely for the purposes for which the moneys would otherwise be used under this Section and to set forth procedures to otherwise administer the use of the moneys.

(c-1) There is hereby appropriated, on a continuing annual basis in each fiscal year, from the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, the amount, if any, of funds received into the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund to the State Fire Marshal for payment to the Authority for the purposes for which the moneys would otherwise be used under this Section.

(d) A loan for the purchase of fire trucks may not exceed $250,000 to any fire department or fire protection district. The repayment period for the loan may not exceed 20 years. The fire department or fire protection district shall repay each year at least 5% of the principal amount borrowed or the remaining balance of the loan, whichever is less. All repayments of loans shall be deposited into the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund.

(e) The Authority and the State Fire Marshal may shall adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to administer the program.

(f) Notwithstanding the repeal of Section 3-27 of the Rural Bond Bank Act, all otherwise lawful actions taken on or after January 1, 2004 and before the effective date of this Section by any person under the authority originally granted by that Section 3-27, including without limitation the granting, acceptance, and repayment of loans for the purchase of fire trucks, are hereby validated, and the rights and obligations of all parties to any such loan are hereby acknowledged and confirmed.

(Source: P.A. 94-221, eff. 7-14-05.)

(20 ILCS 3501/825-81)

Sec. 825-81. Fire station revolving loan program.

(a) The Authority and the State Fire Marshal may jointly administer a fire station revolving loan program. The program shall, in instances where sufficient loan funds exist to permit applications to be accepted, may provide zero-interest and low-interest loans for the construction, rehabilitation, remodeling, or expansion of a fire station or the acquisition of land for the construction or expansion of a fire station by a fire department, a fire protection district, or a township fire department. Once the program receives funding, the Authority shall make loans based on need, as determined by the State Fire Marshal.

(b) The loan funds, subject to appropriation, may be paid out of the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund, a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund may consist of any moneys transferred or appropriated into the Fund, as well as all repayments of loans made under the program. Once the program receives funding, the Fund may be used for loans to fire departments and fire protection districts to construct, rehabilitate, remodel, or expand fire stations or acquire land for the construction or expansion of fire stations and for no other purpose. All interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund. As soon as practical after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, all moneys in the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund shall be paid by the State Fire Marshal to the Authority, and, on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, all future moneys deposited into the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund under this Section shall be paid by the State Fire Marshal to the Authority under the continuing appropriation provision of subsection (b-1) of this Section; provided that the Authority and the State Fire Marshal enter into an intergovernmental agreement to use the moneys paid by the State Fire Marshal to the Authority from the Fund solely for the purposes for which the moneys would otherwise be used under this Section and to set forth procedures to otherwise administer the use of the moneys.

(b-1) There is hereby appropriated, on a continuing annual basis in each fiscal year, from the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund, the amount, if any, of funds received into the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund to the State Fire Marshal for payment to the Authority for the purposes for which the moneys would otherwise be used under this Section.

(c) A loan under the program may not exceed $2,000,000 to any fire department or fire protection district. The repayment period for the loan may not exceed 25 years. The fire department or fire protection district shall repay each year at least 4% of the principal amount borrowed or the remaining balance of the loan, whichever is less. All repayments of loans shall be deposited into the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund.

(d) The Authority and the State Fire Marshal may adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to administer the program.

(Source: P.A. 96-135, eff. 8-7-09; 96-1172, eff. 7-22-10.)

(20 ILCS 3501/825-85)

Sec. 825-85. Ambulance revolving loan program.

(a) The Authority and the State Fire Marshal may shall jointly administer an ambulance revolving loan program. The program shall, in instances where sufficient loan funds exist to permit applications to be accepted, provide zero-interest and low-interest loans for the purchase of ambulances by a fire department, a fire protection district, a township fire department, or a non-profit ambulance service. The Authority shall make loans based on need, as determined by the State Fire Marshal.

(b) The loan funds, subject to appropriation, shall be paid out of the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund, a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall consist of any moneys transferred or appropriated into the Fund, as well as all repayments of loans made under the program. The Fund shall be used for loans to fire departments, fire protection districts, and non-profit ambulance services to purchase ambulances and for no other purpose. All interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund. As soon as practical after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, all moneys in the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund shall be paid by the State Fire Marshal to the Authority, and, on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, all future moneys deposited into the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund under this Section shall be paid by the State Fire Marshal to the Authority under the continuing appropriation provision of subsection (b-1) of this Section; provided that the Authority and the State Fire Marshal enter into an intergovernmental agreement to use the moneys transferred to the Authority from the Fund solely for the purposes for which the moneys would otherwise be used under this Section and to set forth procedures to otherwise administer the use of the moneys.

(b-1) There is hereby appropriated, on a continuing annual basis in each fiscal year, from the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund, the amount, if any, of funds received into the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund to the State Fire Marshal for payment to the Authority for the purposes for which the moneys would otherwise be used under this Section.

(c) A loan for the purchase of ambulances may not exceed $100,000 to any fire department, fire protection district, or non-profit ambulance service. The repayment period for the loan may not exceed 10 years. The fire department, fire protection district, or non-profit ambulance service` shall repay each year at least 5% of the principal amount borrowed or the remaining balance of the loan, whichever is less. All repayments of loans shall be deposited into the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund.

(d) The Authority and the State Fire Marshal may shall adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to administer the program.

(Source: P.A. 94-829, eff. 6-5-06.)

(20 ILCS 3501/825-87 new)

Sec. 825-87. Public life safety capital investment finance program.

(a) In addition to the powers set forth in Sections 825-80, 825-81, and 825-85 of this Act and in furtherance of the purposes and programs set forth in those Sections, the Authority may use loans as authorized in this Act to maximize the number of participants in the programs and to maximize the efficient use of taxpayer appropriated funds. The moneys identified in Sections 825-80, 825-81, and 825-85 of this Act shall be used by the Authority only for the express purposes described in those Sections.

(b) The Authority, after consulting with the State Fire Marshal, may determine the financial structure, including but not limited to the terms, conditions, collateral, maturity, and interest rate, of loans authorized by the programs under Sections 825-80, 825-81, and 825-85 of this Act.

(c) The Authority and the State Fire Marshal may access the moneys referenced in Sections 825-80, 825-81, and 825-85 of this Act and may fix, determine, charge, and collect fees, in connection with the programs under Sections 825-80, 825-81 and 825-85 of this Act and in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Section.

(d) The Authority and the State Fire Marshal may adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to administer the programs under this Section.

(30 ILCS 105/5.712 rep.)

Section 15. The State Finance Act is amended by repealing Section 5.712.

Section 20. The Fire Investigation Act is amended by changing Section 13.1 as follows:

(425 ILCS 25/13.1) (from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 17.1)

Sec. 13.1. Fire Prevention Fund.

(a) There shall be a special fund in the State Treasury known as the Fire Prevention Fund.

(b) The following moneys shall be deposited into the Fund:

(1) Moneys received by the Department of Insurance under Section 12 of this Act.

(2) All fees and reimbursements received by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

(3) All receipts from boiler and pressure vessel certification, as provided in Section 13 of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act.

(4) Such other moneys as may be provided by law.

(c) The moneys in the Fire Prevention Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, for the following purposes:

(1) Of the moneys deposited into the fund under Section 12 of this Act, 12.5% shall be available for the maintenance of the Illinois Fire Service Institute and the expenses, facilities, and structures incident thereto, and for making transfers into the General Obligation Bond Retirement and Interest Fund for debt service requirements on bonds issued by the State of Illinois after January 1, 1986 for the purpose of constructing a training facility for use by the Institute. An additional 2.5% of the moneys deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund shall be available to the Illinois Fire Service Institute for support of the Cornerstone Training Program.

(2) Of the moneys deposited into the Fund under Section 12 of this Act, 10% shall be available for the maintenance of the Chicago Fire Department Training Program and the expenses, facilities and structures incident thereto, in addition to any moneys payable from the Fund to the City of Chicago pursuant to the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act.

(3) For making payments to local governmental agencies and individuals pursuant to Section 10 of the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act.

(4) For the maintenance and operation of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the expenses incident thereto.

(4.5) For the maintenance, operation, and capital expenses of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS).

(4.6) For grants awarded by the Small Fire-fighting and Ambulance Service Equipment Grant Program established by Section 2.7 of the State Fire Marshal Act.

(5) For any other purpose authorized by law.

(c-5) As soon as possible after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, the Comptroller shall order the transfer and the Treasurer shall transfer $2,000,000 from the Fire Prevention Fund to the Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund, $9,000,000 from the Fire Prevention Fund to the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, and $4,000,000 from the Fire Prevention Fund to the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund. Beginning on July 1, 2008, each month, or as soon as practical thereafter, an amount equal to $2 from each fine received shall be transferred from the Fire Prevention Fund to the Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund, an amount equal to $1.50 from each fine received shall be transferred from the Fire Prevention Fund to the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, and an amount equal to $4 from each fine received shall be transferred from the Fire Prevention Fund to the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund. These moneys shall be transferred from the moneys deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund pursuant to Public Act 95-154, together with not more than 25% of any unspent appropriations from the prior fiscal year. These moneys may be allocated to the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund, and Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund at the discretion of the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the purpose of implementation of this Act.

(d) Any portion of the Fire Prevention Fund remaining unexpended at the end of any fiscal year which is not needed for the maintenance and expenses of the Office of the State Fire Marshal or the maintenance and expenses of the Illinois Fire Service Institute, shall remain in the Fire Prevention Fund for the exclusive and restricted uses provided in subsections (c) and (c-5) of this Section.

(e) The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall keep on file an itemized statement of all expenses incurred which are payable from the Fund, other than expenses incurred by the Illinois Fire Service Institute, and shall approve all vouchers issued therefor before they are submitted to the State Comptroller for payment. Such vouchers shall be allowed and paid in the same manner as other claims against the State.

(Source: P.A. 96-286, eff. 8-11-09; 96-1176, eff. 7-22-10; 97-114, eff. 1-1-12.)

Section 25. The Unified Code of Corrections is amended by changing Section 5-9-1.12 as follows:

(730 ILCS 5/5-9-1.12)

Sec. 5-9-1.12. Arson fines.

(a) In addition to any other penalty imposed, a fine of $500 shall be imposed upon a person convicted of the offense of arson, residential arson, or aggravated arson.

(b) The additional fine shall be assessed by the court imposing sentence and shall be collected by the Circuit Clerk in addition to the fine, if any, and costs in the case. Each such additional fine shall be remitted by the Circuit Clerk within one month after receipt to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Fire Prevention Service and Small Equipment Fund. The Circuit Clerk shall retain 10% of such fine to cover the costs incurred in administering and enforcing this Section. The additional fine may not be considered a part of the fine for purposes of any reduction in the fine for time served either before or after sentencing. Arson fines that were previously deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund prior to the adoption of Public Act 96-400 shall be used according to the purposes established in Section 13.1 of the Fire Investigation Act.

(c) (Blank) The moneys in the Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund collected as additional fines under this Section shall be distributed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as appropriated and according to the rules set forth and adopted under the Emergency Services Response Reimbursement for Criminal Convictions Act.

(d) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-400, eff. 8-13-09.)