CFD Deputy Commissioner McNicolas resigns after crash (more)

The blood alcohol level of a high-ranking Chicago Fire Department official was still nearly twice the legal limit almost four hours after he crashed a department-issued SUV last month off Lake Shore Drive, according to city records.

The documents obtained by the Tribune under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act show that internal investigators with the fire department didn’t administer the Breathalyzer test to then-Deputy Commissioner John McNicholas until 4:32 a.m. April 20. The crash took place a little before 1 a.m. that day, while McNicholas was off-duty. He had a blood alcohol content of 0.154 percent — nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to city records.

It was unclear why the fire department didn’t test McNicholas until nearly four hours after the crash or why Chicago police did not perform a Breathalyzer test and instead issued only a ticket for negligent driving. Anthony Guglielmi, chief spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, said Wednesday that the department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

“Detectives have met with prosecutors and presented their investigation,” Guglielmi said in an email. “Additional follow-up items have been requested by (prosecutors) and those are being completed. The case remains open and active.”

McNicholas resigned from the fire department shortly after the incident.

thanks Dan

Tags: CFD Deputy Commissioner fails sobriety test, CFD Deputy Commissioner John McNicolas, CFD Deputy Commissioner McNicolas resigns after crash, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, deputy commissioner of the Chicago Fire Dept has resigned, John McNicholas

This entry was posted on May 26, 2016, 3:30 PM and is filed under Fire Department News. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Comments

#1 by Mike Mc on June 2, 2016 - 1:24 PM

Thanks for the details of exempt rank status. Foolish of the dept. to assume that exempt rank personnel are immune from substance abuse and therefore have no options but to force into resigning. I never said he would not do well in retirement. Amazing how the press gave he false impression he actually quit (as if out of a job) when he really floated out on a golden parachute retirement package.

None the less, they let a man who was still under the influence make an on the spot and irrevocable career decision. Not a good way to operate. Sadly, it was also a decision that will enable him to keep doing what he was doing for as long as he wants to. In other words, his actual problem may never be addressed.

The issue should have been substance abuse, not whether or not the city was embarrassed.
#2 by FFPM571 on May 28, 2016 - 3:36 PM

I knew J Mac from his Squad 5 days. I am pretty sure he had a good Chinaman to get him to where he was. Pulling the pin was smart…I’m sure he will be fine on the teaching circuit telling war stories
#3 by Chuck on May 27, 2016 - 11:54 PM

Knee jerk reaction? This man is supposed to be setting the example for the members of the Bureau of Fire Suppression and Rescue. Do you think FOR ONE MINUTE, that the Fire Department or the Police Department would have extended the same professional courtesies to anybody else that were extended to him? HARDLY. There were zero complications. He had a 36 year run. he’ll slink off into the sunset with an $8,500 (or so,) a month pension, and somebody else will get the chance to fill that spot. No tag days or sympathies for J. Mac. Besides, these guys always land on their feet (see Edgeworth, R.) among others. He’ll land a six figure spot somewhere in Rahm’s administration and double dip off the taxpayers quite nicely, thank you very much.
#4 by Mike on May 27, 2016 - 10:00 PM

He’s exempt rank. No last chance agreement for him and he can’t take a demotion to battalion chief and then ask for representation or last chance since his infraction was while he was in an exempt rank.
#5 by Mike Mc on May 27, 2016 - 9:06 AM

Knee jerk reaction to accept resignation. Should have waited at least a week and convinced him to accept a suspension, go through rehab, and come back as a battalion chief for a year before being considered for another exempt rank position. Would have had opportunity to show that the discipline, last chance program, and other related policies can work. At least make him meet with counselors, attorneys, union reps, the chaplain, and his family before retiring. Could have been a shining example that it is a disease, that everyone is vulnerable, and that it can be beaten. Might appear generous but in reality a tougher and better option for all concerned.

That’s the noble part of me. The other part asks, why didn’t anyone think to have him go back to the bar and report the buggy stolen? Must have been other complications.