Archive for February 5th, 2017

Chicago Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com

Discrimination lawsuits involving the Chicago Fire Department’s hiring and promotions have cost taxpayers nearly $92 million over the past nine years — easily outpacing all other major cities except New York.

Chicago police misconduct cases have been in the spotlight over the past few years, but the array of discrimination lawsuits aimed at the fire department is also rapidly burning through city cash, a Better Government Association analysis of city data shows.

Chicago’s fire department long had few African-American firefighters, and its first women didn’t join until 1986. And change even after that has come only in fits and starts that has contributed to mounting legal bills for the city.

As recently as December, the Chicago City Council approved the final payout of a $7 million settlement with 59 African-American women who sued over a physical skills test the fire department once required of job candidates.

Since 2008 — the furthest back that records were readily available — Chicago has paid nearly $92 million in workplace discrimination cases involving the fire department. The cost has been flying under the radar for years and dwarfs the total of similar payouts for all other major U.S. cities except New York, records show.

The vast majority of the Chicago payouts – more than $85 million – have been made since Rahm Emanuel became mayor in 2011, though many of the underlying lawsuits predated his time in office.

The $92 million total stems from about a dozen lawsuits. Though one suit that cost the city $6 million was a reverse discrimination case, the others focused on discrimination against minorities and women. Specifics vary from case to case, but in general plaintiffs accused the fire department of broad discrimination in both hiring and promotions based on race, gender and disabilities.

The tab includes not just settlements and judgments but also court costs and fees. On top of that, the city has also spent at least $2.2 million in just the past two years on outside attorneys to handle fire department discrimination lawsuits on the city’s behalf.

By far the biggest bill to the city stems from the 1998 case brought by minority job applicants who argued a pre-employment written test was biased. After losing several times in court, including in the U.S. Supreme Court, the city has paid more than $75 million in damages, back pension payments, and fees to the plaintiffs’ lawyers. Almost all of the payments in the so-called “Lewis” class have occurred since Emanuel’s 2011 election.

Under Emanuel, the city has been aggressive in moving to settle lingering discrimination cases involving the fire department.

Of the 10 largest cities in the nation, only New York’s tab of about $109 million since 2008 exceeded the legal costs incurred by Chicago. New York’s fire department has more than 15,000 firefighters compared to 4,900 for Chicago.

While the largest payments stemmed from actions that occurred during Daley’s tenure as mayor, the swirl of accusations about department wrongdoing continues.

thanks Dennis

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Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District news

Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:

The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District entered into an automatic aid agreement with the Huntley Fire Protection District this week.

Under the terms of the agreement, Huntley will send an ambulance to a structure fire that happens within Barrington Countryside’s borders. In exchange, Barrington Countryside will send a fire engine to all fires that happen within Huntley’s borders.

Barrington Countryside now has automatic aid agreements or partnerships with 12 Northwest suburban fire service agencies.

thanks Dennis

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Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire, 12-10-14 (more)

Excerpts from chicagoeater.com:

little more than two years after a fire forced it the close, Chicago Firehouse Restaurant reopened on Friday in the South Loop at 1401 S. Michigan Ave. Before it housed a steakhouse, the 112-year-old building was once a Chicago  firehouse and is a city landmark. The restaurant had been open for 15 years before flames consumed the building after roofers were working.

They’ve not only rebuilt, but they’ve also renovated the 15,000-square-foot space that includes seating for 215. Owners upgraded the kitchen and restored the original Tiffany-glaze brick and custom millwork. There’s a backlit wine wall in the bar area on the first floor and they’ll host private events on the second floor. There was great effort to ensure they’ve preserved the building’s historic past, which includes hiring back most of the staff that was with the restaurant before the fire.

The restaurant has brought on executive chef John Caputo, who spent time at Bin 36 and Labriola Ristorante & Cafe. The new menu will feature prime and dry-aged steaks and is posted here. There are some monster steaks, including the Pullman, a 20-ounce ribeye cap for two, carved table side.

thanks Dan

more on the fire

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New engine for Chicago

E-ONE has begun production on another engine for Chicago with so# 14086

fire truck being built

E-ONE photo

fire truck being built

E-ONE photo

fire truck being built

E-ONE photo

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