Chicago officials close smoke detector loophole

Officials are closing a loophole in Chicago's smoke detector rules following an apartment building fire that killed four children.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports the city council's zoning committee agreed Tuesday to stop allowing landlords to avoid fines by installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors after being cited for a violation. The ordinance will still fine landlords from $200 to $500 a day for failing to install or maintain working detectors.

At least 15 people have died in Chicago fires this year. Twelve of the fatalities were in residential buildings without working detectors, including the four children who died in the September fire.

Deputy Buildings Commissioner Matthew Beaudet says the Buildings Department will work with the fire department and other officials to spread the word about the rules change.