Peoria Standard

After the appointment of a convicted arsonist as the Prairie DuPont Fire Protection District's Fire Chief, state Rep. Mark Luft (R-Pekin) wants to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Luft joined Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) in supporting legislation that would allow those in charge of hiring to take fire-related arrests, charges, and convictions into consideration.

The arson charges against Jerame Simmons are from 20 years ago. Simmons served probation and has since been pardoned by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

"Pritzker's pardon is a slap in the face to all the honest, hard-working firefighters throughout our state who put themselves in harm's way every day," Luft said during a Feb. 16 press conference. "As a mayor and state representative, I work very hard to ensure our public safety in our communities. I can absolutely sympathize with the majority of the Prairie DuPont Fire Department firefighters who resigned on the spot when Jerame Simmons became their chief."

Luft said what happened in Prairie DuPont "cannot happen."

House Bill 5693 would also require fire department applicants to disclose if they've ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of "arson, aggravated arson, or criminal damage to property due to recklessly, by means of fire, damaging the property of another or knowingly starting a fire on the land of another," according to the Illinois General Assembly website.

"I stand behind the patch. The patch means something to these firefighters, that means something to you, it means something to our community and we will do everything that we can to ensure that that patch stays intact with its integrity and its foundation for what it means to our communities," Luft said. 

The bill was introduced by Friess on Feb. 15.

Luft and Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) have signed on as co-sponsors. 

Should the legislation pass both chambers and become law, it would take effect immediately.