HB4715 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and Fire Protection District Act to establish standardized procedures for firefighter recruitment and hiring examinations in municipalities and fire districts.

• Requires examinations based on mental aptitude (written test), physical ability, preferences (veteran, education, experience, residency), moral character, and health; qualifies candidates through objective scoring on a 100-point scale.

• Establishes two pathways: standard local civil service commission exams (Section 10-1-7.1) or regional Joint Labor-Management Committee (JLMC) exams (Section 10-1-7.2), with similar standards for both.

• Limits probationary periods to one year of actual active employment for firefighters at lowest rank; allows extensions only for certified paramedic requirements; prohibits residency requirement changes after hire except for fire chief positions.

• Applies to all municipalities and fire districts under 1,000,000 population; exempts those under court orders or consent decrees; effective upon enactment.