Chambana Sun

At a recent hearing on a piece of legislation, Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Decatur) was intrigued by the term "foreign fireboard."

“Where do you find these bills? This is amazing,” Rose said. “What even is a foreign fireboard? Please tell us what this is as opposed to an in-state fireboard.”

Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) told Rose a foreign fireboard collects fees from out-of-state fire insurers.

"The foreign fire insurance fee was established generations ago," Martwick said. "It’s a fee levied on insurance policies sold to residents in the state of Illinois (by companies) who are not domiciled in the state of Illinois. It’s collected and distributed to local fire departments for the benefit of that department."

The legislation the Senate was debating would establish a board that will create rules and procedures toward distribution of the collected fees.

Martick's explanation moved Rose to give the bill a Yes vote.

"I intend to vote for this bill because this is the most interesting piece of arcane knowledge that I’ve achieved today," Rose said.

The Illinois General Assembly website recorded that the bill passed the Senate with 50 yes votes and 0 no votes.

The website showed that several Republicans support the bill and are co-sponsors of the bill.

The bill was sent to the House on Feb. 28.