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Sunday, May 18, 2025

New bill introduced by Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. on Jan. 13 in the Illinois House—what does HB1298 say?

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Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr., State House of Representatives 86th District. | https://www.illinoispolicy.org/lawmakers/lawrence-walsh-jr/

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr., State House of Representatives 86th District. | https://www.illinoispolicy.org/lawmakers/lawrence-walsh-jr/

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. introduced HB1298 in the Illinois House on Jan. 13, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Fire Department Promotion Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill amends the Fire Department Promotion Act by modifying definitions critical to the promotion process within full-time municipal fire departments and fire protection districts. It clarifies the terms "affected department," excluding fire departments operated by the state, universities, or non-municipality government units, and does not apply to departments providing both police and firefighting services as of Jan. 1, 2002. The term "promotion" is defined as appointments requiring an exam before 2002 or included in a bargaining unit, excluding temporary moves or chief executive positions. The bill outlines the creation and adjustment of promotion lists, including the application of veterans' preference points, and stipulates conditions for temporary appointments while awaiting updated promotion lists. The effective date is Jan. 1, 2024.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. has proposed another four bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Lawrence "Larry" Waslh Jr. is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 86th House District. He replaced previous state representative Jack McGuire in 2012.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bills Introduced by Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. in Illinois House During General Assembly Session 104

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
HB129801/13/2025Amends the Fire Department Promotion Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.
HB129601/13/2025Amends the Fire Department Promotion Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.
HB129701/13/2025Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate firefighters.
HB129901/13/2025Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate firefighters.
HB130001/13/2025Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning annexation of territory.
HB130701/13/2025Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that if a full-time firefighter or firefighter/paramedic employed by a city, village, incorporated town, or township that meets certain requirements is not eligible to participate in a retirement fund created under the Downstate Firefighters Article of the Code, then he or she is eligible to participate, as a sheriff's law enforcement employee, under the IMRF Article of the Code. Specifies survivor and occupational disease disability benefits that are available to the qualifying firefighters. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

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