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92_HB2247
LRB9208215EGfg
1 AN ACT in relation to fire inspectors.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act is
5 amended by changing Section 1 as follows:
6 (20 ILCS 2910/1) (from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 501)
7 Sec. 1. Peace Officer Status.
8 (a) Any person who is a sworn member of any organized
9 and paid fire department of a political subdivision of this
10 State and is authorized to investigate fires or explosions
11 for such political subdivision, or who is employed by the
12 Office of the State Fire Marshal to determine the cause,
13 origin and circumstances of such fires or explosions that are
14 suspected to be arson or arson-related crimes, may be
15 classified as a peace officer by the political subdivision or
16 agency employing such person. A person so classified shall
17 possess the same powers of arrest, search and seizure and the
18 securing and service of warrants as sheriffs of counties, and
19 police officers within the jurisdiction of their political
20 subdivision. While in the actual investigation and matters
21 incident thereto, such person may carry weapons as may be
22 necessary, but only if that person has satisfactorily
23 completed (1) a training program offered or approved by the
24 Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board which
25 substantially conforms to standards promulgated pursuant to
26 the Illinois Police Training Act and "An Act in relation to
27 firearms training for peace officers", approved August 29,
28 1975, as amended; or in the case of employees of the Office
29 of the State Fire Marshal, a training course approved by the
30 Department of State Police which also substantially conforms
31 to standards promulgated pursuant to "An Act in relation to
-2- LRB9208215EGfg
1 firearms training for peace officers", approved August 29,
2 1975, as amended; and (2) a course in fire and arson
3 investigation approved by the Office of the State Fire
4 Marshal pursuant to the Illinois Fire Protection Training
5 Act. Such training need not include exposure to vehicle and
6 traffic law, traffic control and accident investigation, or
7 first aid, but shall include training in the law relating to
8 the rights of persons suspected of involvement in criminal
9 activities.
10 Any person granted the powers enumerated in this Section
11 may exercise such powers only during the actual investigation
12 of the cause, origin and circumstances of such fires or
13 explosions that are suspected to be arson or arson-related
14 crimes.
15 (b) The State Fire Marshal must authorize to each
16 employee of the Office of the State Fire Marshal who is
17 exercising the powers of a peace officer a distinct badge
18 that, on its face, (i) clearly states that the badge is
19 authorized by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and (ii)
20 contains a unique identifying number. No other badge shall
21 be authorized by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, except
22 that a badge, different from the badge issued to peace
23 officers, may be authorized by the Office of the State Fire
24 Marshal for the use of fire prevention inspectors employed by
25 that Office.
26 (Source: P.A. 91-883, eff. 1-1-01.)
27 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
28 becoming law.