To honor firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty and their families, a new law sponsored by Senate Republicans requires that the Illinois Firefighters Memorial Fund must be used to provide scholarships for the children and spouses to pursue a secondary education. The legislation, House Bill 2550, was signed into law by Gov. Rauner on Sept.8.
Under the legislation, the State Marshal is responsible for recognizing the fallen firefighters and honoring them by administering the scholarship awards to their children and spouses.