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Dixmoor to shutdown fire department
The Southtown Star, a publication of the Sun-Times, is reporting that the village of Dixmoor will be shutting down its fire department effective December 1, 2013. This decision comes as the financially troubled community faces mounting challenges and a deepening budget crisis.
In a letter dated Tuesday, the village attorney formally notified the union representing fire department employees that the dissolution would take effect on December 1. The mayor, Dorothy Armstrong, who was recently elected, had previously warned of a budget shortfall exceeding $1 million, with the fire department costing the village over $773,000 annually — nearly a third of its total revenue. The department employed 20 firefighters, many of whom were part-time.
I attempted to reach Mayor Armstrong for comment but was unsuccessful. However, several village employees confirmed the closure, adding that the move has caused significant concern among residents and workers alike.
Tim McDonald, president of Local 73 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents the firefighters, said the mayor had been pushing for this for years. He noted that the village board passed a resolution to disband the department without allowing public input. “When she called for a vote, trustees asked if they could comment, and the mayor told them they could do so after the roll call,†McDonald said. “This is not how things are done in a real community.â€
McDonald also mentioned that before the official dissolution, the village had already laid off six of the 12 full-time firefighters. The remaining staff includes about a dozen part-timers. A firefighter, who requested anonymity, revealed that the village plans to outsource fire protection to the Harvey Fire Department and hire a private ambulance service for paramedics.
However, the transition appears uncertain. “I called the Harvey clerk, and they don’t even have a meeting scheduled until December 9,†McDonald said. “So I don’t know what’s going to happen after November 30, when our guys stop working.â€
Dixmoor, with a population of just 3,644, is one of the poorest suburbs in the Chicago area. According to the 2010 census, the median household income was $38,817, and nearly 35.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The village has long struggled with financial mismanagement and political corruption.
It once maintained a park district police force of over 100 part-time officers despite owning only a single park. The park was in disrepair, with broken playground equipment and no fieldhouse despite a $100,000 bond issue. Several officials were later imprisoned for embezzlement.
Earlier scandals include former Mayor Donald Luster, who was sentenced to probation for fraud and tax evasion, and former Mayor Keevan Grimmett, who was removed from the ballot for not residing at his registered address. Trustee Michael Smith resigned after pleading guilty to stealing gasoline from the town.
Even more recently, reports indicated that only three of the five police cars had fuel, and the fire chief complained that his staff wasn’t being paid.
Firefighters in Dixmoor earn between $12 and $13 an hour, meaning they make around $28,000 per year — a modest salary for a job that involves risking their lives. McDonald said the union won a grievance for back pay, but the village hasn’t yet paid up.
“They gave raises to the police department but didn’t compensate the firefighters,†he said. “We were being nice, but now we’re not sure why we should be.â€
While some might argue that a small village like Dixmoor doesn’t need a fire department, others believe it’s essential for public safety. McDonald said, “If a neighboring department is busy fighting a fire, who will respond to a call in Dixmoor? And where will the money come from to pay what they owe?â€
Finding officials willing to speak publicly remains a challenge, given the village's history of corruption and poor governance. But the situation in Dixmoor is not unique — many south suburbs are facing similar financial crises.
Closing the fire department may be necessary, but residents are left questioning whether their leaders can be trusted. After all, they’ve paid taxes for years, yet seen little return on their investment.