Speaker Welch Joins Fire Fighters to Discuss Emergency Responder Health, Retirement Benefits
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch met with Illinois fire fighters this week to discuss efforts to protect emergency responders on the job and strengthen retirement benefits for workers who serve communities.
“The men and women who rush toward danger and give everything they have to bring people out safely always need to know who has their backs. House Democrats have their backs in our Capitol,” Welch said. “We’re making sure first responders and their families have the resources they need. We’re getting hazardous toxins out of protective equipment. And we’re working to ensure their sacrifices are rewarded with a secure and sustainable retirement.”
Welch addressed the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI) Annual Legislative Conference Wednesday in Springfield, talking with the men and women who represent more than 17,000 firefighters and paramedics in 237 Illinois communities.
AFFI and House Democrats share a number of legislative priorities during the spring session, including House Bill 2409, which aims to reduce instances of cancer in fire fighters by removing hazardous chemicals known as PFAs from certain protective equipment.
Additionally, Welch’s Pension Working Group is tasked with leading conversations on Tier II pension reform, to ensure retirement benefits for fire fighters, teachers, and other workers who serve communities are adequate, competitive, and sustainable.
