Date:10/01/04
Q. What is a fire protection district?
A. Fire protection districts are special districts with a limited governmental purpose having only powers granted to them by the Illinois General Assembly.
Q. Are fire protection districts general units of local government?
A. Fire protection districts are not general units of local government like cities or villages (municipalities), which have broader governmental functions and authorities. Unlike many other states that rely almost completely on such general units to provide all governmental services and functions at the local level, Illinois historically has developed many types of specialized units of local government. Each unit has a particular and limited governmental function, and each came into being under state law to address a particular need for a governmental service or activity.
Q. What is the Illinois Fire Protection District Act"?
A. The specific authority for fire protection districts can be found under Illinois law in the Illinois Fire Protection District Act. This act was first enacted in 1927 and amended by the state legislature many times since its initial adoption. The fire protection district act supplies the fundamental legal requirements that govern the formation and operation of fire protection districts.
Q. What is the legislative purpose of a fire protection district?
A. The purpose of fire protection district is to engage in the acquisition, establishment, maintenance and operation of fire stations, facilities, vehicles, apparatus and equipment for the prevention, control of fire, and the underwater recovery of drowning victims, provide as nearly adequate protection from fire for lives and property within the districts as possible and regulate the prevention and control of fire therein . . .
Q. How are fire protection districts formed?
A. Fire protection districts are created by the vote of the electors (registered voters) residing within the geographic area that is proposed to comprise the fire district.
Q. Who is the governing body of a fire protection district?
A. The governing body of the fire protection district is the board of trustees. The trustees are charged by law with control of the districts affairs, the provision of fire protection, other emergency services rendered by the district to the residents and property owners within the district. Boards of trustees are either elected or appointed and serve three-year terms.
Q. What are the primary sources of revenue for a fire protection district?
A. A tax levy (real estate) is the means by which a fire protection district generates its primary source of revenue. In addition, specialized levies are permitted through other state statutes that include bonds, pension, ambulance, insurance, audit, and rescue. Some of these require voter approval to implement. Other sources of revenue may include Charges to Nonresidents, Foreign Fire Insurance Tax, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Grants, Hazardous Material Emergency Response Reimbursement, DUI Response, Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax, Emergency Medical Services Lien, and General Assembly Appropriations.
|
