The Illinois Fire Fighter's Association made Senator AJ Wilhelmi honorary chief. The Fire Chiefs of Will County presented Wilhelmi with his own official firefighter's helmet in recognition of Wilhelmi's brave support to restore state funding to the Cornerstone Firefighter Training Program. Without this funding, firefighter training across the state would have suffered, potentially putting Illinois citizens' safety at risk.

"Senator Wilhelmi has been a critical advocate on behalf of fire," explained Margaret Vaughn. "He took it on the chin with local media to help us because he knows that some things are too important to cut. He stuck with us."

The Cornerstone training funding had been part of the state's tax cuts. The Illinois Fire Fighter's Association credits Senator Wilhelmi with going back and restoring that necessary funding. Senator Wilhelmi also sponsored bill SB 3336, which allows fire protection districts throughout the state to modernize their public posting requirements. 

"It is truly rewarding to know that when someone stands up and does what's right in government that it is recognized and appreciated," said Senator Wilhelmi. "Finding responsible solutions to our state's economic crisis does not include fire fighters' lives at risk."

Twenty chiefs and other representatives from Will County Fire Departments were present to honor Wilhelmi including: David Riddle (Channahon), Dan Forsythe (Manhattan), Dave Litton (Bolingbrook), Kent Adams (Romeoville), Dave Skoryi (Lockport), Chief Offerman, (Elwood), Al Martinez (Steger), Ken Vrba (Northwest Homer), Lyle Bachert (Crete), Carl Churulo (Lemont), Ted Golden (Mokena), Dave Lagasse (Beecher), Bruce Ziegle (Park Forest), Jeff Panega (Crete), Mike Schofield (Homer), John Mead (New Lenox), William Schreiber (Peotone), Chuck Exrier (University Park), and John Eichelberger (Plainfield).

The Illinois Fire Fighter's Association is the oldest fire service organization in the state.