Fire Sprinkler Requirements


There’s a battle raging over the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s plan to require all residential and business buildings taller than four stories to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Churches, restaurants, and any building used for gatherings of 50 or more people would also be required to add sprinklers. Opponents say the expense outweighs the fire safety benefits.

And a growing number of state lawmakers are signing onto a resolution against the State Fire Marshal, who they say is circumventing the legislative process. Eddie Arruza and his guests analyze both sides on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm.

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Joining Eddie tonight is Illinois State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis; City of Chicago's Fire Commissioner José A. Santiago; State Rep. Greg Harris who sits on the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, the General Assembly's bipartisan legislative oversight committee which will vote on the Fire Marshal's proposed changes; and Anne Voshel, Legendary Landmarks Co-Chair and Board Member of Landmarks Illinois (formerly known as the Landmarks Preservation Council) and owner of AVA Consultants.

What are your thoughts about the fire marshal's proposal to change sprinkler code requirements in Illinois? Please share your comments below.

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