In response to many Illinois communities passing laws that prohibit firefighters and police officers from collecting charitable donations on roadways, Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday signed a new law ensuring those communities allow them to collect donations from motorists.
Illinois is the sixth state in the nation to enact such a law. The other states are: Florida, Nebraska, Texas, California and North Carolina.
"The men and women who protect us are known for serving their communities in and out of uniform," Quinn said.
The law, Senate Bill 3518, was an initiative by the Associated Firefighters of Illinois.
The law prevents municipalities or counties from denying permits to law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other public safety officials who request them to collect donations in their communities and along roads, provided certain requirements are met.
The law goes into effect immediately.
Copyright 2012 - Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
