SPRINGFIELD, Ill (WICS/WRSP) — A bill in general assembly is gaining traction that would allow non-citizens who are authorized to work here in the United States to become firefighters.

A proponent said the bill could help local fire departments fill in vacancies while a opponent said the bill is not necessary.

Supporters of the bill say it could help Illinois fix an ongoing shortage of firefighters. The Illinois Fire Chiefs Associations said they helped write the bill and that the bill has support within the general assembly.

“if we have qualified applicants, who are who meet every other qualification and are going to do what we would believe if they’re qualified, they’re going to do a good service for the community," said John Buckley of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. “Why wouldn’t we take them?”

Republican Illinois House of Representative Dan Caulkins said he is against this bill and that fire department should focus on hiring American citizens to fix the fire fighter shortage.

“We ought to be recruiting citizens of Illinois," Caulkins said. "People who want to go through the fire fighter academy. Who have gone through our school system. These are great jobs with great benefits serving the community."

Buckley said the decrease in the number of volunteer fire fighters is contributing to staff shortages, but this bill would not apply to that issue.

The bill is passed out of committee and is scheduled for a full vote.