Please join State Senator Steve Stadelman for a Toy Drive to benefit the Helping Hands Pantry this Saturday December 5 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information, click on the flier below.

SPRINGFIELD – In November 2014, Cherry Valley firefighters arrived at a house fire only to find a hydrant that was inoperable and to be used only for flushing, not fighting fires. As it turns out, the hydrants were broken and no one had told the fire department. While the house burned, they had to wait for water to be transported to the scene before the fire could be extinguished.

Today, Senate Bill 373, sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was signed into law by the governor. Stadelman passed the legislation through the Senate earlier this year.

“Firefighters must know the working condition of the hydrants they use to be able to effectively put out fires. Thanks to this new law, no family in Illinois will have to watch their house burn to the ground because the firefighters hadn’t been updated on the status of their hydrants,” said Stadelman.

The new law is effective immediately.

Please join State Senator Steve Stadelman at an upcoming Women's Health Fair Sunday, November 15 from 1 - 4 p.m., at the YMCA Log Lodge. For more information, see the flier below.

SPRINGFIELD– In November of 2014, Cherry Valley firefighters arrived at a house fire only to find a hydrant that was inoperable and to be used only for flushing, not fighting fires. As it turns out, the hydrants were broken and no one had told the fire department. While the house burned, they had to wait for water to be transported to the scene before the fire could be extinguished.

Senate Bill 373, sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) advanced through the House and will require private water companies to notify fire departments of the working capacity of the hydrants. Stadelman’s legislation passed through the Senate earlier this spring.

“To be able to effectively extinguish fires, firefighters must know the working condition of the hydrants they use. This legislation will stop another family from having to face the devastation of watching their home burn while firefighters stand by helpless because they hadn’t been updated on the status of the hydrants,” said Stadelman.   

The proposal will now be sent to the Governor’s desk.