Illinois Sets 2027 Deadline to Eliminate PFAS from Firefighter Gear

Illinois firefighters will soon transition to protective gear free of PFAS — harmful “forever chemicals” tied to cancer — under a new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The Deputy Chief Pete Bendinelli PFAS PPE Act sets a 2027 deadline to phase out bunker gear containing the chemicals, long used for water and heat resistance. Chuck Sullivan, president of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois, called the measure a vital step, noting cancer is now the leading cause of duty-related firefighter deaths.

State Sen. Neil Anderson, a firefighter himself, emphasized that the law was driven by firefighter advocacy rather than manufacturers. He said departments won’t be forced into immediate replacement since gear is typically updated on a 10-year cycle. While PFAS-free equipment may cost more, lawmakers stressed that long-term savings from reducing cancer-related expenses and disability pensions outweigh upfront costs, marking the law as both a safety and financial safeguard.

27-09-2025