HB1149
View on ILGAHIGHER ED-FIREFIGHTER CREDIT
What this bill does
Creates the Educational Credit for Firefighting Experience Act. Provides that before June 1, 2027, each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for firefighter training considered applicable to the requirements of a student's certificate or degree program. Requires the policy to apply to any individual who is enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has completed a firefighting training course or program that meets certain requirements. Provides that each institution of higher education shall develop a procedure for receiving the necessary documentation, provide a copy of its policy to certain applicants, and develop and maintain a list of qualifying firefighting training courses and programs. Provides that each institution of higher education shall submit its policy for awarding academic credit to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, if applicable, before June 30, 2027 and before June 30 of each year thereafter. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who are firefighters to assess enrollment and completion outcomes.
PASSED INTO LAW
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Pipeline Progress
Current stage: Signed into Law · Last action 251 days ago
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
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Introduction of Bill
A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.
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Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
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Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
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Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber
If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.
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Gubernatorial Action
The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.
Sponsor Context
Dan Swanson
Moderate Influence (#74)
Bills they sponsor outperform predictions (positive pull)
Bills sponsored by Dan Swanson advance 10% more often than the chamber average.
Public Engagement
16 witness slips filed
16 proponents / 0 opponents
12 organizations
Witness slips
16 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affaf Altaf | School | Self | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-04-30 |
| Brittan Bolin | Brittan Bolin Consulting | Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-04-30 |
| David Schwartz | Self | Self | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-04-30 |
| John Buckley | Illinois Fire Chiefs Assn | Illinois Fire Chiefs | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-04-30 |
| Margaret Vaughn | Margaret Vaughn Consulting | Illinois Firefighters Association | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-04-30 |
| Brittan Bolin | Brittan Bolin Consulting | Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts ois | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-03-05 |
| John Buckley | Illinois Fire Chiefs Assn | Illinois Fire Chiefs | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-03-05 |
| Lisa Oddo | Employee of Hinsdale School District 181-Paraprofessional | Hinsdale Educational Support Staff Region Representative and Region 57 Council Member | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-03-05 |
| Brittan Bolin | Brittan Bolin Consulting | Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-02-26 |
| John Buckley | Illinois Fire Chiefs Assn | Illinois Fire Chiefs | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-02-26 |
| John Petrakis | Channahon Fire Protection District | Channahon Fire Protection District | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-02-26 |
| Joseph Cirelli | Mokena Fire Protection District | Mokena Fire Protection District | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-02-26 |
| Kevin Doyle | Homer Township Fire Protection District | Homer Township Fire Protection District | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-02-26 |
| Kirk Kelly | East Joliet Fire Protection District | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-02-26 | |
| Paul Kinsella | Frankfort Fire Protection District | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-02-26 | |
| Troy Swanson | Cook County College Teachers Union, IFT Local 1600 | Proponent | Higher Education | 2025-02-26 |
Roll-call votes
Total votes and outcome per event. Deciding vote = margin of 1; those voters on the winning side could have changed the outcome by flipping.
| Date | Chamber | Type | Description | Yea | Nay | Present | NV | Outcome | Margin | Deciding voters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Committee | Higher Education | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Passed | 12 | — | |
| H | Floor | Third Reading | 115 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Passed | 115 | — | |
| S | Committee | Higher Education | 11 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Passed | 11 | — | |
| 2025-05-22 | S | Floor | May 22, 2025 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Passed | 58 | — |
Action History
41 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-08-01 — Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0043. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-01-05
Introduction & Filing
Prefiled with Clerk byRep. Dan Swanson Senate Rule 5-1(d); House Rule 37(d)
Bill submitted before the legislative session officially begins. No impact on outcome yet.
2025-01-09
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-01-09
Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-02-05
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Patrick Sheehan Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-02-05
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Jason R. Bunting Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-02-11
Committee Assignment
Assigned toHigher Education Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-03-04
Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Dan Swanson
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-04
Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-05
Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toHigher Education Committee
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-05
Amendment Actions
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted inHigher Education Committee; by Voice Vote
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-03-05
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass as Amended / Short DebateHigher Education Committee; 012-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-03-06
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill placed on the Second Reading calendar. Positive — bill is queued for floor action.
2025-03-18
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage on Short Debate calendar. Major milestone — bill has passed committee and is on the floor.
2025-03-18
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-03-18
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Dan Ugaste Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-08
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed115-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50
Bill PASSED on Short Debate Third Reading. Bill cleared the chamber.
2025-04-08
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Gregg Johnson Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-08
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Rick Ryan Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-08
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Tracy Katz Muhl Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-08
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Steven Reick Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-08
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Charles Meier Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-08
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Co-SponsorRep. Nicolle Grasse Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator adds their name as co-sponsor, signaling public support for the bill.
2025-04-09
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House bill arrives in the Senate after passing the House.
2025-04-09
Procedural
Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54
Bill queued for First Reading in the second chamber.
2025-04-09
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief Senate SponsorSen. Neil Anderson Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate sponsor assigned for a House bill.
2025-04-09
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-04-09
Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-04-23
Committee Assignment
Assigned toHigher Education Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-04-30
Committee Action
Positive
Do PassHigher Education; 011-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-04-30
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 1, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7)
Bill placed on the order of Second Reading.
2025-05-01
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage. Floor amendments can be offered here.
2025-05-01
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 6, 2025 Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-20
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-21
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Alternate Co-SponsorSen. Dale Fowler Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate co-sponsor added.
2025-05-22
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Alternate Co-SponsorSen. Jason Plummer Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate co-sponsor added.
2025-05-22
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Passed;058-000-000 Rule 5-1(f)
Bill PASSED a floor vote on Third Reading. Major milestone — bill has cleared one chamber.
2025-05-22
Concurrence
Positive
Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4
Bill PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS. Major milestone — bill goes to the Governor next.
2025-06-20
Governor Action
Positive
Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
Bill transmitted to the Governor for signature. Strong positive — bill has passed both chambers.
2025-08-01
Governor Action
Positive
Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL. Bill is now law (pending effective date).
2025-08-01
Enacted Into Law
Law
Effective Date January 1, 2026 Article IX
Law's effective date announced. Most IL laws take effect January 1 of the next year unless otherwise specified.
2025-08-01
Enacted Into Law
Law
Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0043 Article IX
Bill signed into law — assigned a Public Act number (e.g., PA 104-0032).
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-05 | House | Prefiled with Clerk byRep. Dan Swanson Senate Rule 5-1(d); House Rule 37(d) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-01-09 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-01-09 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-02-05 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Patrick Sheehan Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-02-05 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Jason R. Bunting Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-02-11 | House | Assigned toHigher Education Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-03-04 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk byRep. Dan Swanson | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-04 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred toRules Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-05 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers toHigher Education Committee | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-05 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted inHigher Education Committee; by Voice Vote | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-05 | House | Do Pass as Amended / Short DebateHigher Education Committee; 012-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-03-06 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-18 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-18 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-18 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Dan Ugaste Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed115-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Gregg Johnson Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Rick Ryan Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Tracy Katz Muhl Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Steven Reick Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Charles Meier Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-08 | House | Added Co-SponsorRep. Nicolle Grasse Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Arrive in Senate Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading Senate Rule 4-4/7-4; House Rule 31/54 | Procedural | — |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Chief Senate SponsorSen. Neil Anderson Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-23 | Senate | Assigned toHigher Education Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | Do PassHigher Education; 011-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 1, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-01 | Senate | Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-01 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 6, 2025 Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-20 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-21 | Senate | Added as Alternate Co-SponsorSen. Dale Fowler Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-05-22 | Senate | Added as Alternate Co-SponsorSen. Jason Plummer Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-05-22 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed;058-000-000 Rule 5-1(f) | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-05-22 | House | Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4 | Concurrence | Positive |
| 2025-06-20 | House | Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-01 | House | Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-01 | House | Effective Date January 1, 2026 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |
| 2025-08-01 | House | Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0043 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |