HB1149 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)
HIGHER ED-FIREFIGHTER CREDIT
Last Action
08/01/2025 - House: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0043
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
Synopsis As Introduced
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.
House Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Specifies that the institutions of higher education that have to adopt a policy under the Act are institutions of higher education with an applicable program that offers at least one course for credit hours recommended for equivalency by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for firefighting training courses and programs. Requires the policy to be submitted by March 31, 2027 and by March 31 of each year thereafter for the policy that is effective in the subsequent fall semester (rather than by June 30, 2027 and before June 30 of each year thereafter). Provides that the policy shall be incorporated into the institution's credit for prior learning policies required to be submitted pursuant to the Credit for Prior Learning Act. Removes language requiring the Board of Higher Education to collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who are firefighters to assess enrollment and completion outcomes.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 01/05/2025 | House | Prefiled with Clerk by Rep. Dan Swanson |
| 01/09/2025 | House | First Reading |
| 01/09/2025 | House | Referred to Rules Committee |
| 02/05/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Sheehan |
| 02/05/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason R. Bunting |
| 02/11/2025 | House | Assigned to Higher Education Committee |
| 03/04/2025 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Dan Swanson |
| 03/04/2025 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 03/05/2025 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Higher Education Committee |
| 03/05/2025 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Higher Education Committee; by Voice Vote |
| 03/05/2025 | House | Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Higher Education Committee; 012-000-000 |
| 03/06/2025 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate |
| 03/18/2025 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 03/18/2025 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate |
| 03/18/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Ugaste |
| 04/08/2025 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 115-000-000 |
| 04/08/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson |
| 04/08/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan |
| 04/08/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl |
| 04/08/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Steven Reick |
| 04/08/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles Meier |
| 04/08/2025 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse |
| 04/09/2025 | Senate | Arrive in Senate |
| 04/09/2025 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading |
| 04/09/2025 | Senate | Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Neil Anderson |
| 04/09/2025 | Senate | First Reading |
| 04/09/2025 | Senate | Referred to Assignments |
| 04/23/2025 | Senate | Assigned to Higher Education |
| 04/30/2025 | Senate | Do Pass Higher Education; 011-000-000 |
| 04/30/2025 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 1, 2025 |
| 05/01/2025 | Senate | Second Reading |
| 05/01/2025 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 6, 2025 |
| 05/20/2025 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** |
| 05/21/2025 | Senate | Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Dale Fowler |
| 05/22/2025 | Senate | Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer |
| 05/22/2025 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000 |
| 05/22/2025 | House | Passed Both Houses |
| 06/20/2025 | House | Sent to the Governor |
| 08/01/2025 | House | Governor Approved |
| 08/01/2025 | House | Effective Date January 1, 2026 |
| 08/01/2025 | House | Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0043 |