Metro East Sun

During a news conference on Feb. 16, state Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) promoted legislation that would prevent known arsonists from becoming fire chiefs in the state.

Under House Bill 5693, any individual applying for a position in a fire department or fire protection district must disclose if he or she has ever been convicted of an arson-related crime. 

Freiss said that he introduced the legislation after a convicted arsonist was appointed to be fire chief at Prairie DuPont.

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

"I brought forth a bill, 5693, to try and prevent this," Friess said, according to a press release. "What happens in these small communities, as most people know, the local fire departments are a really integral part of our community. If you appoint a convicted arsonist obviously you are going to lose that faith and trust in that community. I cannot understand why our governor would do this. It's very, very unfortunate."

Freiss said that approximately a dozen volunteers out of 13 at Prairie DuPont fire department resigned following the appointment of the former arsonist as fire chief.

"Although the hiring is obviously left up to the mayor or the fire department, this really needs to be brought to the attention of the public. If anybody is convicted of arson – this individual specifically burned down a house and attempted to burn down the high school there in this community – our citizens have a right to know who is going to be appointed their fire chief and I hope this bill gets through."

"This provides needed information for our community so they know who is going to be the fire chief."

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Mark Luft (R-Pekin) and Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis).

The bill will be effective immediately upon passage.