West Central Reporter

Illinois State Senator Neil Anderson (R) shared information on a recent visit that he took to the Illinois Firefighter's Association Foundation in a Facebook post published on Monday.

"Thank you to the Illinois Firefighter's Association Foundation for allowing me to speak in support of SB 2253 – a bill that would provide a $500 tax credit for volunteer firefighters across our state," Anderson wrote. "Also, a special thank you to every first responder and fire department that responded to the massive pileup on Interstate 55 last week."

Anderson has represented Illinois' 47th District in the State Senate since 2015. His district includes portions or all of the following counties: Adams, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Menard, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazwell, and Warren. His legislative experience includes serving on the Energy and Public Utilities Committee and the Government Operations Committee.

When he's not in Springfield during a legislative session, Anderson works as a firefighter/paramedic in Moline.

According to Senate Bill 2253's official synopsis, "each individual who serves as a volunteer emergency worker for at least 9 months during the taxable year and does not receive compensation for his or her services as a volunteer emergency worker of more than $10,000 for the taxable year is entitled to a credit against specified taxes in an amount equal to $500". If signed into law, it will go into effect immediately. It was initially filed by State Senator Christopher Belt (D) on February 10 and has since picked up Senate co-sponsors but was re-referred to the Senate Assignments Committee on March 10. While WQAD reported on Senate Bill 3027, which is similar to SB 2253, in March 2022, there's no indication that the former bill had progressed.

Belt was also a sponsor of SB 3027, which was last marked "Session Sine Die" on January 10.