Excerpts from qconline.com:

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, to protect fire district investments has been signed by Gov, Bruce Rauner.

House Bill 6041 addressed an issue several fire protection districts have faced in Illinois when territory disconnects from the district, causing a 25 percent or more loss in tax revenues. The legislation states that petitions to leave a fire district be dismissed if the disconnection causes a 25 percent loss of revenue.

Under the legislation, all voters of the fire district have an opportunity to vote on taking territory out of the district, instread of just the voters in the territory planning to leave. The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and a number of fire protection districts supported the legislation.

“This protects the right of every person in the district that may lose property to be able to vote on that issue,” Chuck Vaughn, a representative for the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts said.

Rep. Moffitt said the legislation was “simply good governance” to prevent serious damage that can be caused by de-annexation.

“The net result of this legislation is that the highest quality of fire protection for all people in Illinois will be maintained,” he said.

thanks Dan

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