SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham was named Legislator of the Year by the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (IFFA) on Wednesday for his advocacy on behalf of firefighters and other first responders in the Illinois State Senate.

“I’m honored to be chosen for this award I want to thank the IFFA for its continued advocacy on behalf of Illinois firefighters,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “I look forward to continuing to work with the IFFA and first responders throughout the state to promote the interests of Illinois firefighters.”

Cunningham has worked on behalf of first responders in Springfield since he first joined the General Assembly in 2011. Last session, he introduced legislation to protect Chicago firefighters’ pensions by allowing them to transfer credit from their previous service to their current pensions.

“Illinois’ firefighters are heroes who put their own lives on the line on a daily basis to keep us safe,” Cunningham said. “State government needs to look out for these brave men and women the way they look out for us.”