Bill Text: IL HB1149 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-11 - Assigned to Higher Education Committee [HB1149 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HB1149-Introduced.html

---

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1149 Introduced , by Rep. Dan Swanson SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act
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.
LRB104 03154 LNS 13175 b
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
HB1149 LRB104 03154 LNS 13175 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Educational Credit for Firefighting Experience Act.
Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:
"Firefighter" means either a career or volunteer
firefighter.
"Institution of higher education" means the University of
Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State
University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State
University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois
University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois
University, a public community college that is included in the
definition of "Community Colleges" under Section 1-2 of the
Public Community College Act, and any institution that
receives funds under Section 35 of the Higher Education
Student Assistance Act.
Section 10. Policies and procedures.
(a) Before June 1, 2027, each institution of higher
education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of
academic credit for firefighter training considered applicable

HB1149 - 2 - LRB104 03154 LNS 13175 b
to the requirements of a student's certificate or degree
program. The policy shall apply to any individual who is
enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has
successfully completed a firefighting training course or
program as part of his or her firefighting service that is:
(1) recommended for credit by a national higher
education association that provides credit recommendations
for firefighting training courses and programs; or
(2) otherwise documented as firefighting training or
experience.
(b) Each institution of higher education shall develop a
procedure for receiving the necessary documentation to
identify and verify the firefighting training course or
program that an individual is claiming for academic credit.
(c) Each institution of higher education shall provide a
copy of its policy for awarding academic credit for
firefighter training to any applicant who listed prior or
present firefighting service in his or her admission
application.
(d) Each institution of higher education shall develop and
maintain a list of firefighting training courses and programs
that have qualified for academic credit.
Section 15. Annual policy submission; assessment.
(a) Each institution of higher education shall submit its
policy for awarding academic credit for firefighter training

HB1149 - 3 - LRB104 03154 LNS 13175 b
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.
(b) 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.