Waukegan Fire Chief Ricco Farrell

Waukegan Fire Chief Ricco Farrell. Larry Shapiro photo

Excerpts from theChicagoTribune.com:

Waukegan officials expressed both surprise and understanding Monday night when Fire Chief Ricco Farrell announced to the City Council that he plans to retire early next month to care for his parents.

Farrell addressed the council at the start of the meeting to report that he plans to retire in two weeks, ending a 31-year Waukegan Fire Department career that saw him elevated to the chief’s office when Mayor Wayne Motley took office in May 2013.

“This is kind of bittersweet. Due to family needs, I’m announcing my retirement, effective Oct. 5,” said Farrell, drawing an audible reaction from the crowd. “For the last 31-and-a-half years, my parents have been my main supporters. They’ve been there for me. They instilled the values that you see standing before you right now.

Farrell said he considers it an honor to go help his parents, but would miss working with the city, saying  … most of all, I enjoyed being a servant for the citizens of Waukegan …

“This is such an awesome opportunity that I had with the city of Waukegan,” Farrell continued. “I wanted to be a firefighter since I was 9 years old. I’m living the dream. I thank God for the support, and know this — the Waukegan Fire Department will be in good hands.”

Farrell became the city’s first African-American fire chief when he was appointed by Motley, a move that followed the resignation of Dan Young, a 35-year department veteran who had served as chief for the previous five years.