Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation requiring all college dorms and residence halls in Illinois to install sprinklers by 2013. The measure toughens past legislation by instituting stricter penalties for colleges that don't comply. Certain extensions may be available through 2014.
NIU's Paul Palian saysStevenson Hallis undergoing renovation to install sprinklers. That project will be finished by September 1, 2012--well before the new law takes effect. He says the remaining student-occupied residence halls are already in compliance.
A spokesperson for Rockford College says some work still needs to be done:
"For the last two years, Rockford College has updated several residence halls in an effort to comply with the previous sprinkler systems mandate. We have three remaining residence buildings to equip, and plans are in place to fully comply with the terms of this new legislation." - Nellie Miller, Rockford College
The fine for not having sprinkler systems in place is up to $1,000 per day.