SB2645 to launch fire station grant program approved with support from Sen. Karina Villa

SB2645, a bill designed to create a grant program for rehabilitating and constructing fire stations, received a Yes vote from Sen. Karina Villa (D-25th) in the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, according to the Illinois Senate. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate, 57-0.

The official bill text labels the initiative as: "FIRE STATION REHABILITATION."

A summary of the legislation is provided below for clarification of its key points.

The measure updates the State Fire Marshal Act, establishing a Fire Station Rehabilitation and Construction Grant Program. Under the act, grants will be awarded to units of local government and federally tax-exempt not-for-profit fire departments as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Funding is specifically allocated for fire station rehabilitation and construction. Program administration and implementation will be overseen by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which will also be responsible for setting any needed operational rules. The bill does not stipulate a specific date for when it takes effect.

The legislative action recorded for SB2645 was 'House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs'.

Villa, a Democrat, has represented Illinois' 25th Senate District in the State Senate since her 2021 election, succeeding Jim Oberweis.

Legislation in Illinois proceeds through a multi-step process beginning with introduction in the House or Senate, followed by committee consideration, debates, votes in both chambers, and ultimate review by the governor. Each session spans two years, with only a subset of the many bills introduced ultimately advancing to become law.