RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Illinois State Fire Marshall proposed changes to its rules on January 4,2019; and
WHEREAS, these proposed rules establish the minimum life safety standards for the State for both new and existing occupancies; and
WHEREAS, comments on the proposed rules must be submitted no later than 45 days after publication of the notice; and
WHEREAS, this proposed administrative rule would be applicable to all new and existing small businesses and not-for-profit corporations in the State with a covered occupancy; and
WHEREAS, the proposed rules would apply to localities within Illinois pursuant to state and federal law, including Chicago; and
WHEREAS, the proposed rules, in part, require all local officers charged with the duty of investigating fires shall enforce these rules, under the direction of the Illinois State Fire Marshall; and
WHEREAS, the only exception to the requirement that all local officers charged with the duty of investigating fires must do so under the direction of the State Fire Marshal is if such localities have adopted fire prevention and safety standards equal to or higher than the standards adopted by these rules; and
WHEREAS, on December 15, 2004, the Chicago City Council approved comprehensive amendments to its Existing Building Code to require fire sprinklers to be installed in existing commercial high-rises and to require existing residential high-rises to undergo a rigorous life safety evaluation; and
WHEREAS, Chicago property owners are overwhelmingly in compliance with these life safety requirements; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Fire Safety Code is not consistent with Chicago's life safety code, particularly as it relates to the life safety evaluation program; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Fire Department presently has the responsibility to investigate fires in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Fire Department has a keen understanding of fire codes governing each type of building in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, the State Fire Marshall's proposed rule changes would insert a second and wholly unnecessary layer into fire investigations in Chicago that would cause tremendous confusion for property owners; and
WHEREAS, the State Fire Marshall has scheduled three hearings on these proposed regulations in the following Illinois cities: Des Plaines, Springfield and Carterville; and
WHEREAS, Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and is home to the largest number of buildings that could be subject to an investigation by the State Fire Marshall; and
WHERAS, the State Fire Marshall has posted no hearing dates within the boundaries of the City of Chicago;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY
Call upon the State Fire Marshall to appear before the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks & Building Standards to provide a detailed summary of the proposed amendment to its rules published January 4,2019
Extend an invitation to the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Buildings and the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Fire to appear at such hearing of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks & Building Standards to discuss Chicago's Fire Life Safety Codes.
