Illinois bill opens door for townships to levy false fire alarm fines
By Joanne Friedrick
Updated Thu June 12, 2003
June 12, 2003
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A bill granting Illinois townships the same rights as other municipalities regarding the imposition of fines for false fire alarms is awaiting the signature of Gov. Rod Blagojevich here.
House Bill 116 amends the Fire Protection District Act to allow township boards "of any town providing fire protection service (to) impose reasonable civil penalties on individuals who repeatedly cause false fire alarms."
Introduced in the Illinois House by Rep. Michael K. Smith, D-Canton, and in the Senate by Sen. George Shadid, D-Pekin, the bill passed both bodies unanimously on March 18 and May 7, respectively.
Tony Calderone, president of the Illinois Electronic Security Association, Arlington Heights, Ill., said townships - which govern the unincorporated areas not covered by cities, towns and villages - don't have home rule power.
The legislation, when signed, would give townships that provide fire protection services the right to impose fines, he said. Calderone added that not all townships provide such services, although some do contract to provide fire protection.
Calderone noted the legislation, which generated little debate and no opposition votes, is in line with how cities, towns and villages approach the false alarm issue.
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