425 ILCS 15/1
That within six (6) months after the passage of this Act, all buildings in this State which are four or more stories in height, excepting such as are used for private residences exclusively, but including flats and apartment buildings, shall be provided with one or more metallic ladder or stair or other approved fire escapes attached to the outer walls thereof and extending from, or suitably near the ground, to the uppermost story thereof, and provided with platforms of such forms and dimensions, and in such proximity to one or more hinged windows or doors of each story above the first, as to render access to such ladder or stairs from each such story easy and safe: Provided, however, that all buildings more than two stories in height, used for manufacturing purposes or for hotels, dormitories, schools, seminaries, hospitals or asylums, shall have at least one such fire escape for every fifty (50) persons for which working, sleeping or living accommodations are provided above the second stories of said buildings; and that all public halls, which provide seating room above the first or ground story, shall be provided with such numbers of said ladder or stair or other approved fire escapes as the officers herein named may direct.
425 ILCS 15/1