Nicolle Grasse introduces HB1888 in House on Jan. 29—here’s what you need to know

Nicolle Grasse, Illinois State Representative for 53rd District | https://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=104&MemberID=3450

By North Cook News

Jan 30, 2025

Nicolle Grasse introduced HB1888 in the Illinois House on Jan. 29, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that March of each year is designated as Prescribed Fire Awareness Month, to be observed throughout the State as a month to celebrate the multiple ecological, economic, and cultural benefits of prescribed fire to the State of Illinois."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the State Commemorative Dates Act to designate March as Prescribed Fire Awareness Month in Illinois. It aims to recognize and celebrate the ecological, economic, and cultural benefits of prescribed fire throughout the state. The bill emphasizes the importance of prescribed fire as a traditional land management practice and public safety tool, highlighting its role in reducing hazardous fuels, controlling invasive species, and maintaining and restoring healthy landscapes. Despite its significance, only about 6% of conservation lands in Illinois are currently managed with prescribed fire, underscoring the need for greater awareness and appreciation of this practice.

Nicolle Grasse has proposed one other bill since the beginning of the 104th session.

Grasse graduated from Elmhurst College with a BA.

Nicolle Grasse is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 53rd House District. She replaced previous state representative Mark L. Walker in 2024.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bills Introduced by Nicolle Grasse in Illinois House During General Assembly Session 104

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB1888	01/29/2025	Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that March of each year is designated as Prescribed Fire Awareness Month, to be observed throughout the State as a month to celebrate the multiple ecological, economic, and cultural benefits of prescribed fire to the State of Illinois.
HB1712	01/24/2025	Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health is vested with the duty and responsibility for oversight and training connected with the use of the Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form at all hospitals, healthcare facilities, and other facilities and providers that use the Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall develop, in consultation with stakeholders determined by the Director of Public Health, training resources to support informed decisions and accurate completion of the Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish a simple, efficient, and effective process to ensure oversight of and accountability for training to support informed decisions and accurate completion of the Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form at all hospitals, healthcare facilities, and other facilities and providers that use the Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form. Provides that, in consultation with various organizations, the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules implementing these policies no later than 2 years after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health, in connection with implementing these policies, may also consult with the Office of the Secretary of State with respect to the Advance Directive Registry established by the Secretary of State.