The Southtown Star recently published an article detailing a unique collaboration between Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge, where they’ve agreed to share the services of a fire chief. This unusual partnership has sparked interest across the region due to its innovative approach to municipal cooperation. As per the agreement, Oak Lawn's Fire Chief George Sheets will oversee the operations of the Chicago Ridge Fire Department. However, staffing decisions remain under the jurisdiction of the Chicago Ridge mayor and trustees. The document outlining this arrangement was made available to the public thanks to Illinois' Freedom of Information Act. Approved by both village boards—Chicago Ridge on July 15 and Oak Lawn on July 8—this deal grants Sheets full authority over all aspects of the Chicago Ridge Fire Department until 2016. This includes personnel, equipment, and vehicles. While the mayor and trustees retain control over staffing, Sheets holds the reins when it comes to disciplinary actions involving fire personnel. Chicago Ridge, which currently employs 13 firefighter/paramedics, will contribute one-third of Sheets' annual salary. This is justified by the expectation that Sheets will dedicate no less than one-third of his time to managing the Chicago Ridge Fire Department. For instance, since Sheets officially assumed his role in Chicago Ridge on July 15, the village will cover one-third of his salary for the remainder of 2014, amounting to $37,695. Moving forward, Chicago Ridge will continue to bear this cost throughout 2015 and 2016. According to the terms of the agreement, Sheets' position in Chicago Ridge can be terminated at any time for legitimate reasons. Should this occur, Chicago Ridge would still be obligated to compensate Sheets through the end of the current contract in 2016. Conversely, either Sheets or Oak Lawn must provide Chicago Ridge with a 30-day notice before ending his tenure there. Notably, Sheets will not be eligible for civil service protections, pensions, workers' compensation, health insurance, or disability benefits from Chicago Ridge. Instead, he continues to enjoy these privileges as an employee of Oak Lawn. Additionally, any legal disputes arising from Sheets' actions in one village cannot involve the other village as a party. Thanks for sharing, Dan! This arrangement represents a bold step towards efficient resource management while maintaining local governance. It will be interesting to see how this model performs over the next two years and whether other municipalities might follow suit. 23 Inches Heavy Duty Magnesium Wheels 23 Inches Heavy Duty Magnesium Wheels,Magnesium Alloy Wheels,Magnesium Hubs,Aluminum Rims Shamora Material Industry , https://www.shamorawheels.com
Oak Lawn fire chief to add Chicago Ridge to his duties (more)