IllinoisHB1353104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY WORKERS

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Volunteer Emergency Worker Job Protection Act. Provides that employment protections for volunteer emergency workers apply to volunteer emergency workers participating in required training, including a prohibition on termination and penalizing (rather than only termination). Provides that the employer may not require the employee to take vacation time or other compensatory time in order to respond to an emergency or participate in training. Provides that the Act does not apply to any employer that is a municipality with a population of 15,000 or more (currently 7,500 or more). Makes conforming changes.

police & fireassignmentslabor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More job protection for volunteer responders

Eligible volunteer emergency workers are protected from being fired or penalized for arriving late or missing work to answer an emergency before a shift or attend required training. The law also protects workers who answer emergency calls or texts during work hours, except workers employed by a vehicle service provider while providing emergency medical services. Existing written workplace policies, collective bargaining agreements, and cell-phone rules still apply to those calls and texts. Employers can deduct missed time from regular pay, but cannot require workers to use vacation or compensatory time. Workers must make a reasonable effort to notify their employer; employers can request written proof. Municipalities with fewer than 15,000 people are covered, while those with 15,000 or more are excluded. A worker can sue within one year and seek reinstatement, back wages, benefits, and seniority rights.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Amy L. Grant

    Republican • House

  • Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar

    Democratic • House

  • Anthony DeLuca

    Democratic • House

  • Blaine Wilhour

    Republican • House

  • Brad Halbrook

    Republican • House

  • Brandun Schweizer

    Republican • House

  • Charles Meier

    Republican • House

  • Chris Miller

    Republican • House

  • Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer

    Republican • House

  • Dan Swanson

    Republican • House

  • Darby A. Hills

    Republican • Senate

  • Dave Severin

    Republican • House

  • Dave Vella

    Democratic • House

  • Dennis Tipsword

    Republican • House

  • Doris Turner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Gregg Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Jason R. Bunting

    Republican • House

  • Jed Davis

    Republican • House

  • Jeff Keicher

    Republican • House

  • Joe C. Sosnowski

    Republican • House

  • John F. Curran

    Republican • Senate

  • Justin Cochran

    Democratic • House

  • Kevin Schmidt

    Republican • House

  • Lisa Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Martin McLaughlin

    Republican • House

  • Mary Gill

    Democratic • House

  • Maurice A. West, II

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole La Ha

    Republican • House

  • Nicolle Grasse

    Democratic • House

  • Patrick Sheehan

    Republican • House

  • Patrick Windhorst

    Republican • House

  • Paul Faraci

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Jacobs

    Republican • House

  • Regan Deering

    Republican • House

  • Sally J. Turner

    Republican • Senate

  • Travis Weaver

    Republican • House

  • Wayne A. Rosenthal

    Republican • House

  • William E Hauter

    Republican • House

  • Yolonda Morris

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 191 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/19/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 58 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass Labor;

Yes: 17 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 102 • No: 0

House vote • 3/26/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Police & Fire Committee;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0581

    7/24/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    7/24/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    7/24/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2026House
  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner

    5/19/2026Senate
  6. Passed Both Houses

    5/19/2026House
  7. Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000

    5/19/2026Senate
  8. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner

    5/14/2026Senate
  9. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

    5/14/2026Senate
  10. Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate
  11. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  12. Do Pass Labor; 017-000-000

    5/6/2026Senate
  13. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Darby A. Hills

    5/5/2026Senate
  14. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci

    4/30/2026Senate
  15. Assigned to Labor

    4/28/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Assignments

    4/28/2026Senate
  17. First Reading

    4/28/2026Senate
  18. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. John F. Curran

    4/28/2026Senate
  19. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 28, 2026

    4/21/2026Senate
  20. Arrive in Senate

    4/21/2026Senate
  21. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst

    4/17/2026House
  22. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Severin

    4/17/2026House
  23. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles Meier

    4/17/2026House
  24. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Swanson

    4/17/2026House
  25. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Daniel J. Ugaste

    4/17/2026House

Bill Text

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