Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
The Lake Zurich fire chief who retired May 8 after being charged with two counts of domestic battery, [will] collect more than $105,000 [for] unused vacation and sick days banked over a 36-year career … Documents acquired through a Freedom of Information Act request show that Wheelock had collected more than 70 weeks worth of sick days and six weeks of vacation time during his career with the Lake Zurich Fire Department, which he began in June 1979 as a paramedic. His annual salary at the time of retirement was $131,082.
David Wheelock, 54, was arrested May 4. Police said he shoved a member of his household on the 21000 block of West Highland Drive. Now he faces two domestic battery charges, both misdemeanors. Lake County sheriff’s deputies said in a report that the person Wheelock pushed suffered injuries consistent with the allegations. In a statement the week of the chief’s arrest, attorney Christina Ivashchenko said Wheelock plans to defend himself against “erroneous charges.”
“Chief Wheelock is an outstanding citizen and an exemplary fire chief who has dedicated his entire life to serving and protecting his community, the Village of Lake Zurich. Mr. Wheelock is going through a difficult personal time and is looking forward to the legal system vindicating him,” the statement said.
After a brief stint on administrative leave, Wheelock wrote a handwritten letter to Mayor Tom Poynton on May 8 to formalize his intention to retire. The former chief was an active member of the community. He spent the past year as president of the Rotary Club of Lake Zurich and was commended by the Village Board in 2014 for 35 years of service to the village.
Division Chief John Kelly is acting as fire chief and emergency management director while the village initiates a replacement process.
