Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:

Carol Stream firefighter-paramedics will receive 2.5 percent annual salary increases under a tentative three-year contract agreement union members have ratified, which also would give lieutenants 2.75 percent pay raises in each year of the deal, retroactive to June 1.

Carol Stream Fire Protection District trustees are expected to approve the proposed contract on Aug. 8.

Earlier this month, 41 of the union’s 46 members voted in favor of ratifying the agreement, said Lt. Rick Bonk, president of the Carol Stream Firefighters Association Local 3192.  Bonk called the proposed contract a fair agreement that also would increase an education allowance — by $500 to $1,500 — for training seminars and classes.

Negotiations began in March and a federal mediator later facilitated a bargaining session in early July that got the bulk of economic issues settled.

The board also signed a three-year contract with newly appointed Fire Chief Bob Hoff that awards a $135,000 base salary. Each year of the agreement, starting next June, trustees will review his pay and consider adjustments.