SPRINGFIELD, IL (KMOX) - Sighting safety reasons, some communities in Illinois have banned organizations from letting their members stand in the street to collect money for charity.

But those bans, at least for firefighters, police and other public safety officials, are now illegal across the state. Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation that says they can not be barred from collecting roadside donations for charity.

“We ran into obstacles in certain jurisdictions. It was usually political.  A local official would say despite the benefit we’re not going to allow them to take to the streets.” said President of the Association of Fire Fighters in Illinois Pat Devaney.

He says firefighters over the past five years have collected four million dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Other states that have stopped local communities from banning roadside collections include Florida, Nebraska, Texas, California and North Carolina.

In signing the measure Gov. Pat Quinn said “to see those boots with all our firefighters who have participated on corners all across the state to collect donations from people who want to help , thats the best of America.”