The Daily Herald has an article announcing the retirement of Carpentersville Fire Chief John Schuldt.
Longtime Carpentersville Fire Chief John Schuldt, who had been on paid leave for nearly two weeks, resigned from the department and announced his retirement Friday, Village Manager J. Mark Rooney said.
Schuldt, 53, had been with the fire department for almost 33 years and its chief since 1996. His retirement was effective at the end of the day Friday and he did not respond to requests for comment.
Schuldt was hired in 1980 as a full-time firefighter. With the exception of a stint as acting village manager, he had been fire chief since 1996. Schuldt is also a past president of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and was named Fire Chief of the Year in 2011 by that group. He has lived in town since 1970.
Last year, Schuldt helped Carpentersville win one of two Governor’s Hometown Awards for a memorial that honors local firefighters and those killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Schuldt was also among the most highly compensated employees in the village.
His total compensation last year was $177.984, which included his nearly $130,000 salary.
Due to his age and his years of service with the fire department, Schuldt could have retired several years ago at 75 percent of his salary, Rooney said. If the pension board approves his retirement request, he will make roughly $97,500 a year.
Assistant Chief John Skillman was named acting chief and will run the department in Schuldt’s absence. Rooney said officials haven’t decided whether a search for a permanent replacement will be necessary.
The entire article can be found HERE.
