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The Southtown Star, a publication of the Sun-Times, is reporting that the village of Dixmoor will be shutting down its fire department effective December 1, 2013. This decision comes as the financially troubled community faces mounting challenges and deepening budget issues.
In a letter dated Tuesday, the village attorney informed the union representing fire department employees that the dissolution of the department would proceed, with the final date set for December 1. The move has sparked controversy, especially given the town's history of financial mismanagement and political scandals.
Mayor Dorothy Armstrong, who was elected earlier this year, had previously warned that the village faced a budget deficit exceeding $1 million. She noted that maintaining the fire department cost nearly $773,000 annually—nearly a third of the village’s total revenue—and that the department employed 20 firefighters. Despite these figures, the mayor did not respond to my requests for comment.
Tim McDonald, president of Local 73 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents the firefighters, said the mayor had been pushing for this change for years. He criticized the village board for passing the resolution during a special meeting without allowing public input. “This is a joke,†he said. “That’s why Dixmoor is always seen as a laughingstock.â€
Before the official dissolution, six of the 12 full-time firefighters had already been laid off, with about a dozen part-timers still on payroll. A firefighter, who asked not to be named, revealed that the village plans to outsource fire protection to the Harvey Fire Department and hire a private ambulance service for paramedics.
McDonald expressed concern over the lack of planning, noting that the Harvey city council hasn’t even scheduled a meeting until December 9. “What happens after November 30?†he asked.
Dixmoor, one of the smallest and poorest suburbs in the Chicago area, has a population of just 3,644, according to the 2010 census. With a median household income of $38,817 and over 35% of residents living in poverty, the village has long struggled with economic hardship.
Its history of corruption is well-documented. For years, the park district maintained an oversized police force despite owning only one park. Equipment was left in disrepair, and funds were embezzled by officials who eventually went to prison. Mayor Donald Luster, known for his slogan "Bring the Luster back to Dixmoor," was later sentenced to probation for fraud and tax evasion. More recently, former Mayor Keevan Grimmett was removed from the ballot for not living at his registered address, and Trustee Michael Smith pleaded guilty to stealing gas from the town.
Even last year, reports surfaced that only three of the five police cars had fuel, and the fire chief complained about unpaid staff. The union claims firefighters are paid between $12 and $13 an hour, making their annual salary around $28,000—far from generous.
McDonald said the union had won a grievance over unpaid wages but hadn’t yet received payment. “We were being nice,†he said. “But now they’re getting rid of the department, so we have no reason to hold back.â€
While some might question whether a small village like Dixmoor can afford a fire department, McDonald argued that the people deserve basic services. “If a neighboring department is busy, who will help them?†he asked.
Given the village’s history of mismanagement, it’s no surprise that few officials are willing to speak publicly. But as I’ve warned before, many south suburbs are on the brink of financial collapse—and Dixmoor is one of them.
Closing the fire department may be necessary, but residents are likely to question the judgment of their leaders. After all, they pay taxes for services that haven’t always delivered.