The Daily Herald has published an article detailing a budget shortfall in Carpentersville, which has led to significant layoffs and cost-cutting measures:
Village officials in Carpentersville have announced widespread staff reductions and other financial adjustments to address a projected $400,000 deficit. The cuts include the layoff of two full-time firefighters, a part-time records clerk in the police department, a community service officer, and a part-time ambulance billing clerk, according to Village Manager J. Mark Rooney.
“At this point, this is all that I can see happening,†Rooney said, noting that the situation could change depending on state funding and declining sales tax revenues. This would be the first round of layoffs since 2011.
There’s a possibility that the two firefighters could be rehired if the village secures a federal grant for four additional firefighters. The village is currently updating its application to request two more firefighters and funds to keep the current ones, Rooney explained. Firefighters’ union leaders, however, are pushing back. Lt. Rick Nieves of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4790 said the union will fight to keep the employees on the payroll.
In addition to the layoffs, the village will not replace three part-time roles in finance, IT, and fire departments. Two code enforcement officers will also be cross-trained to fill community service officer positions, creating a hybrid role, according to Public Safety Director Al Popp.
The two affected firefighters have a combined eight years of service and are the least senior among the 32 in the department, Nieves noted. Their last day at work will be March 28.
Rooney estimates the changes will save between $235,000 and $245,000 immediately, with further savings in the coming years. He cited declining property values, economic pressures, and rising union contract costs as the main causes of the budget crisis. The fire department layoffs come just two months after the village and its full-time firefighters resolved a contract dispute over staffing levels at the three stations.
If the union fails to prevent the layoffs, the fire department will be left with 30 full-time firefighters and 28 part-timers. Nieves expressed surprise at the decision, especially after recent negotiations. “We didn’t expect this,†he said. Rooney claimed the union had two chances to save the firefighters but instead prioritized protecting lieutenant pay and hours over their junior members.
Nieves argued that the contract language already provided enough protection for the two firefighters. Meanwhile, Rooney insisted that the layoffs won’t compromise public safety, citing the current staffing levels, mutual aid agreements, and the ability to use part-time personnel as needed.
Thanks, Dan
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