Illinois House Endorses Wilhour Legislation on Use of Emergency Lights

The Illinois House Thursday gave unaniimous approval to a measure sponsored by local State Representative Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City.

The change to current law, Wilhour said, was brought to him by Assistant Fire Chief Joe Holomy of the Teutopolis Fire Protection District. Wilhour said, "It is common sense that when a deputy fire chief is on duty they should be permitted to use emergency lights when responding to emergencies to carry out their duties to serve our communities and help save lives."

Currently, only a vehicle operated by a fire chief is allowed to have red or white oscillating, rotating, or flashing emergency lights. The change would provide that emergency lights may be used on a vehicle operated by a qualified deputy fire chief or assistant fire chief.

The final House vote was 113-0. The measure now heads to the Illinois Senate.