Volunteer firefighters could soon be able to purchase tires at a discount thanks to new legislation that has passed in both the Illinois House and Senate.

State Representative Avery Bourne co-sponsored House Bill 771, which was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives, and it is now on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature to become law.

The bill allows volunteer firefighters to purchase tires at a discounted rate, which is the same price as the state's purchasing contract.

According to Representative Bourne, this legislation is a common sense way to provide cost savings for volunteer firefighters. She said that not only do these men and women give their time and expertise, they often respond to calls in their own vehicles; and this bill will help mitigate the cost of the extra wear and tear on their tires.

Over 70 percent of the firefighters in Illinois are volunteers, the vast majority of which do so at a personal cost. Many volunteers use their private vehicles to respond to emergencies for the benefit of their communities.

Under this bill, if authorized by the fire chief of their local fire department, any regularly enrolled volunteer fire fighter may purchase four vehicle tires every three years through their fire department or municipality's joint purchasing contract.