No one needs to tell firefighters and law enforcement officers that protecting the public can be a dangerous occupation. Sometimes, unfortunately, first responders face injury, and sometimes even death, in performing their duties. If a firefighter dies in the line of duty, one unfortunate side effect of this death is the financial hit that the family takes to pay the attendant burial expenses.

Effective January 1, 2020, the Illinois “Line of Duty Compensation Act”, 820 ILCS 315/3.5, has been amended, to increase the amount of burial benefit payable to the surviving spouse or estate of a firefighter who is killed in the line of duty after June 30, 2018, from a maximum of $10,000.00 to a maximum of $20,000.00. Other death benefits will also be payable.

Published by John T. Brady

My first involement with the fire service came over thirty years ago, when I was asked to serve as a trustee for the fire protection district serving the community where I live. Since then, my practice has grown to representing numerous fire departments and ambulance services throughout central Illinois. I have lectured and written extensively on legal issues involving the fire service, and taught classes on fire science law at our local community college. Prepared by John T. Brady Law Office of John T. Brady Chase Bank Building, Suite 1928 411 Hamilton Boulevard Peoria, Illinois 61602