January 24, 2012 ... Chicago is a world class city with a world class fire department. Truly, there are no more dedicated firefighters in the world than the CFD. However, when it comes to the City of Chicago Fire codes, the city fails miserably. Why should a first-rate city settle for a thirdrate fire protection code? Will another tragedy happen before elected officials within City government do anything to improve fire codes or even bring them up to parity with other cities in the United States? Sadly, politicians tend to bow down to the special interests who contribute to their campaign chests rather than giving first consideration to fire safety.... more

As the controversy continues over the stark discrepancy between the Illinois and Chicago fire codes, the Illinois Fire Alarm Association, an industry trade group, weighed in on the debate on Tuesday, calling the Chicago codes "woefully inadequate."  A woman died two weeks ago in a high rise fire at 3130 N. Lake Shore Drive. The building was not equipped with fire sprinklers, as is required by the state code, but was in compliance with Chicago's code, which is less stringent. more

Meeting comes three weeks after a 32-year-old woman died in a high rise fire along Lake Shore Drive

State and city officials held a private meeting at City Hall this week in an effort to iron out a bitter dispute over which fire code should govern the city’s vintage high rises. The meeting comes three weeks after a 32-year-old woman died in a high rise fire along Lake Shore Drive.
NBC interviews Illinois AFAA Director, Dan Finnegan. more