Sure! Here's a rewritten and expanded version of the content: --- This NBC Chicago article delves into the support shown by fire chiefs for State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis' proposal to implement residential sprinklers. Illinois fire chiefs expressed their approval on Friday for the state fire marshal's new home sprinkler initiative, which many consider a significant step towards making the state safer. Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis submitted the updated state code to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules in Springfield. One of its key features includes mandating fire sprinklers in all newly constructed single-family homes. "We believe now is the right time," stated Michael Falese, chief of the Bartlett Fire Department and President of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. "The push for sprinklers in homes is primarily aimed at preserving lives." Interestingly, some communities already require fire sprinklers in new homes, with 91 jurisdictions doing so, marking one of the highest concentrations in the country. Should Illinois adopt this measure, it would join California and Maryland as the third states to enforce mandatory residential sprinklers. Falese noted that the fire service has faced similar resistance in the past. "If you look back 30 years, many individuals and organizations were against smoke detectors," he remarked. In North suburban Lake Zurich, Fire Marshal Mike McNally from the Countryside Fire Prevention District highlighted baseball-sized white plates in the ceilings of a brand-new home as examples of the type of sprinklers that residents in his area have embraced as standard since Long Grove became the first Illinois community to enforce sprinklers in 1988. "Our experiences have been excellent," McNally shared. "We have over 1,600 residences in our district equipped with sprinklers." He further explained, "A regular living room or bedroom can quickly reach temperatures of 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 to 3 minutes." The full article, complete with video, can be found here. Another sprinkler-related article from NBC Chicago also offers valuable insights: After 12 years under the same state fire code, Illinois Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis believes it's time for an upgrade. His proposed change is substantial: a first-ever requirement for fire sprinklers in all newly built single-family homes, including those in Chicago. "As far as I'm concerned, everyone in Illinois deserves safe housing," Matkaitis told NBC Chicago on Thursday. "Every state fire marshal in the country is striving for the same goal, for the same reason." This move has done little to ease the strained relationship between Matkaitis and the City of Chicago. The city insists, under its home rule authority, that it doesn't have to adhere to the state fire code at all. A major point of contention remains Chicago's stance that legacy residential high-rises in the city must install sprinklers, which building owners and even the city argue would be financially unfeasible. Matkaitis isn't alone in his stance. Following the tragic death of six individuals in a fire at the Cook County Administration Building in October 2003, an investigative commission led by former FEMA director James Lee Witt identified Chicago's refusal to comply with the state code regarding fire sprinklers as a significant contributing factor. "The reality is, if we don't act now, this issue will never be resolved," Witt stated in his report. Unfortunately, nothing changed. Almost a decade later, Chicago mandates sprinklers only in newly constructed residential high-rises. Buildings pre-dating 1975 remain exempt from retrofitting sprinkler systems. "The statute applies statewide, whether it's Chicago or Cairo," Matkaitis emphasized. "I seek cooperation from everyone to protect lives and property. Always remember that—protecting lives and property—that’s my sole objective." Currently, the code, known as NFPA 101, dates back to 2000 and was drafted by the National Fire Protection Association. The new 2012 version, which Matkaitis plans to propose for state adoption on Friday, follows suit. "There’s no doubt that residential high-rises need sprinklers," said NFPA President James Shannon. "When sprinklers are installed, the likelihood of fatalities in these buildings significantly decreases." However, Chicago remains resistant. Building owners claim that retrofitting older structures would cost millions. Condo boards are hesitant due to the expenses involved. After the County Building fire, despite calls for stricter sprinkler ordinances, the City Council opted for less stringent measures, requiring building owners to submit so-called Life Safety Evaluations instead. Even the deadlines set for these evaluations have been extended multiple times, and the city's ability to impose fines has largely been disregarded. "The City of Chicago maintains that our life safety code is equal to, or better than, the state’s adopted fire code," said Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago. "Are these proposed codes reasonable and necessary? At this time, we find them unnecessary." Santiago argues that even without mandatory sprinklers, Chicago's Life Safety Evaluations ensure building owners meet rigorous standards. "There are numerous aspects," he continued. "Smoke detectors, two-way communication systems, automatic door locks. You go through a checklist, and that brings you up to par. Then we decide if you meet our code, yes or no." Matkaitis views Chicago's code as inferior to NFPA 101 and insists the city's claim of home rule authority to bypass state laws is legally unfounded. "The fire investigations statute written in 1909 specifically excluded home rule," he stated. "Home rule simply doesn't apply." When reminded that Chicago disagrees, Matkaitis grew frustrated. Ironically, during the ongoing debate, NFPA held its annual convention this week at Chicago’s expansive McCormick Place, a building that previously burned down in a massive fire in 1967. The structure lacked automatic fire sprinklers. At the convention on Thursday, Shannon, the NFPA President, mentioned that the organization’s codes are crafted by hundreds of fire experts nationwide. He labeled deaths in non-sprinklered buildings as "preventable." "Chicago should lead the way on this," Shannon urged. "This is arguably America’s greatest architectural city. These buildings deserve protection. More importantly, so do the people who reside in them." Thanks, Chris! --- This version is over 500 characters and reads more naturally, reflecting a real-time human perspective.

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