Archive for April 7th, 2016

Chicago police and fire pension reform bill

Excerpts from the ChicagoSun-Times.com:

After 10 months, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s closest ally in Springfield has sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner legislation giving Chicago 15 more years to ramp up to a 90 percent funding level for police and fire pensions.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton has been holding the bill — approved by the Illinois House and Senate last spring — amid concern that Rauner would veto the legislation to squeeze cash-strapped Chicago and strengthen his own hand in the budget stalemate over the governor’s demand for pro-business, anti-union reforms.

The delay has already been costly to Chicago taxpayers. Two weeks ago, Emanuel used $220 million in short-term bridge financing to make a state-mandated payment to police and fire pension funds that’s higher than his tax-laden 2016 budget anticipated because the police and fire pension reform bill has not been signed into law.

On March 31, Cullerton quietly sent the legislation to the governor’s desk. The governor has 60 days to act on the bill. If he vetoes the bill, there would still be time to attempt an override before the spring session ends.

In a statement, the governor’s office said: “The governor has been clear he will consider this legislation as part of a broader package of structural reforms that help taxpayers across the state. He welcomes dialogue and negotiation with all stakeholders as the process moves forward.”

A mayoral confidante, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It’s important for the city. It needs to get done. If he signs it, great. If he does nothing, that’s good for us as well. If he vetoes it, it would go back to the Senate. It passed the first time with 38 votes. We need 36 votes to override. All we’re asking for is the same funding arc that downstate police and fire already have. There’s no reason for [Rauner] not to sign it.”

In a statement issued Tuesday, Emanuel said “Current state law requires that Chicago taxpayers close a $550 million gap in one year, even though it was created by decades of underfunding. That’s why I worked with members of the General Assembly to pass . . . a reasonable and responsible funding plan that has the support of police and fire union leaders, passed both the House and Senate, and was included in Gov. Rauner’s own pension reform plan. If this bill becomes law, we will ensure that our first responder [police and fire]  pensions are secured and fully-funded, while reducing the impact on Chicago’s taxpayers.”

After authorizing the $220 million short-term borrowing, Emanuel emphatically rejected the suggestion that he made a mistake by trusting his old friend Rauner to sign the police and fire pension reforms.

“I am not going to go to the property taxpayers of Chicago, who just stepped up in a big way, and say, ‘You should pay $250 million more because Springfield’s politics are dysfunctional. I’m not going to ask taxpayers to pay more to make up for Springfield’s failures,” the mayor said.

On March 16, trustees of the firefighters pension fund demanded that the city release $47.1 million on deposit with the treasurer within 31 days, so that it can be invested by the pension fund. But sources said Tuesday that demand has since cooled off.

“As long as the pension fund gets the money they are owed by law, the city has fulfilled their end of the bargain . . . The way the law reads, they have to account for the money. The money has been set aside. Their hope is there’s some movement with legislation down in Springfield. If that does not happen, that money set aside will be given, I guess, at the end of the year. As of right now, they haven’t done anything wrong, ” Tom Ryan, president of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 said.

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Retired local firefighter involved in fire truck crash

The news in February of a Seagrave fire truck involved in a crash in New York while it was being delivered has a local connection as the driver, Glenn E. Bennett is originally from the Northshore.

Excerpts from the Hudsonvalleynewsnetwork.com:

New York State Police continue their investigation into the crash of a fire truck that occurred on Feb. 16, 2016 at 11:47 a.m. in East Fishkill on Interstate 84 eastbound.

Police said their investigation revealed that 64-year-old Glenn E. Bennett of Three Lakes, Wisconsin, was operating a 2016 Seagrave pumper truck eastbound on I84 in the area of Lime Kiln Road.

The brand new fire truck was traveling from Seagrave Fire Apparatus in Wisconsin to the Islip Terrace Fire Department where it would be placed in-service.

Police believe that Bennett suffered from a medical emergency causing him to exit the roadway on the northern shoulder.  The truck entered the median and stuck several trees before coming to rest.

Bennett was transported to Danbury Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Also from the Hudsonvalleynewsnetwork.com:

On Tuesday, February 16th, HVNN.com reported that a serious accident involving a fire truck occurred on I-84 near Lime Kiln Road.

At the time police believed that Bennett suffered from a medical emergency causing him to exit the roadway on the northern shoulder.

According to a ‘You Caring Compassionate Crowdfunding’ website, it states:

Glenn delivers fire trucks for Seagrave, and has been a firefighter for over 30 years. He delivers brand new fire trucks all over the United States, even delivering a memorial truck to Manhattan after 9/11.

While delivering a fire truck to Long Island, NY, Glenn suffered a hemorrhagic stroke while driving, causing him to go off the road.

Glenn is currently in critical condition in Danbury, Connecticut. He is intubated, on a ventilator, and sedated to let his body rest. He has a drain in place to decrease the intracranial pressure in his brain.

Currently Glenn is showing positive neurological signs, such a moving his hands and feet, and has opened his eyes twice. He has left sided weakness from the stroke. Each day is touch and go, and we pray that he continues to show signs of improvement.

Glenn will have a very long road to recovery, and will be out of work for a significant amount of time.

Glenn is a well-known, amazing man. He is a father to three beautiful girls and has two grandchildren. He is a very hardworking man, and has friends all across the country at hundreds of fire departments that he has met delivering new trucks.

We, as Glenn’s family are asking for the brotherhood to come together for one of their own. Glenn has helped many other firefighters, even helping with recovery in Manhattan after 9/11.

Please help Glenn in his time of need and through his long road of recovery.

Continue to keep him in your prayers as well.

Currently, Glenn is reported to be in a southern Wisconsin rehab facility.

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2-Alarm fire in Merrillville , IN 4-4-16 (more)

More images from the 2-Alarm fire in Merrillville , IN 4-4-16

apartment building fire in Merrillville IN

Nick Sneiderwine photo

apartment building fire in Merrillville IN

Nick Sneiderwine photo

apartment building fire in Merrillville IN

Tim Olk photo

firefighters after battling a fire

Tim Olk photo

apartment building fire in Merrillville IN

Tim Olk photo

Gary fire truck

Tim Olk photo

firefighters pose after battling a fire

Tim Olk photo

Merrillville fire truck

Tim Olk photo

firefighters pose after battling a fire

Tim Olk photo

Hobart fire truck

Tim Olk photo

firefighters pose after battling a fire

Tim Olk photo

Schererville fire truck

Tim Olk photo

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House fire in Elmwood Park, 4-3-16 (more)

Photos from Steve Redick of a house fire at 2513 73rd Avenue in Elmwood Park on 4-3-16.

smoke from house on fire

Steve Redick photo

smoke from house on fire

Steve Redick photo

firefighters overhaul after house fire

Steve Redick photo

Elmwood Park fire truck

Steve Redick photo

Elmwood Park fire engine

Steve Redick photo

firefighters overhaul after house fire

Steve Redick photo

Norwood Park fire truck

Steve Redick photo

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