Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Morton Grove Village President Dan DiMaria tapped Frank Rodgers, a former district chief and 26-year veteran of the fire department, to be the next fire chief and trustees approved the appointment at the Oct. 24 village board meeting.

Rodgers, 56, started working in the position on Oct. 25 and will be formally sworn in on Nov. 14. His annual base salary is $130,500. He replaces former Chief Tom Friel, who retired in August.

Rodgers first joined the Morton Grove Fire Department in 1990 as a firefighter-paramedic. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2004 and district chief in 2007. Before being named chief, Rodgers worked with the Northwest Municipal Conference writing specifications for apparatus and equipment on a number of committees. Before becoming chief, Rodgers also served as training officer.

The new chief said he has no immediate plans to make any significant changes within the department.