The Better Government Association (BGA) is once again focusing its attention on the Tri-State Fire Protection District with a new article shedding light on some troubling developments. The piece, titled "More Smoke Coming Out Of Tri-State," highlights a series of concerning incidents that have surfaced since earlier BGA reports exposed questionable spending, potential conflicts of interest, and pension manipulation within the Darien-based fire district.
One of the most recent issues involves confidential audio recordings from closed-door sessions of the Tri-State board of trustees, an oversight group consisting of three elected officials. According to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, trustees can meet privately to discuss sensitive topics like litigation or personnel matters, provided they maintain a verbatim record—either audio or video—of these sessions. However, until recently, these tapes were kept at the private home shared by Trustee Jill Strenzel and Fire Chief Michelle Gibson, who have been in a long-term relationship and legally united in a civil union since 2012.
Following concerns raised by Trustee Michael Orrico about the storage location and accuracy of the meeting minutes, Strenzel mentioned that the tapes were temporarily at her place due to renovations at the Tri-State facility. She assured Orrico that he could review the tapes if needed. But accessing them has proven far from straightforward. Seven special meetings were arranged to listen to the tapes, yet at least four were eventually canceled.
Things took a strange turn when, on November 21, Burr Ridge police were called to the Tri-State station on Madison Street in Burr Ridge regarding a reported burglary. Strenzel informed officers that someone had broken into a station safe containing tapes and other documents. Police reports obtained by the BGA via the Illinois Freedom of Information Act reveal that while Strenzel was at the firehouse pulling papers out of the safe, she paused, fearing unlawful entry had occurred. After investigation, police found no evidence of theft and classified the incident as "suspicious circumstances."
Strenzel, the sole individual with access to the safe's key and combination, sought advice from an officer on what steps to take if it was discovered that the tapes had been erased using a magnet. The officer recommended contacting authorities. Later that night, around midnight on November 22, police were summoned again to move items from the compromised safe to a new one. Although they declined direct involvement, officers observed Strenzel transfer three envelopes, five plastic bags containing audio tapes, eleven manila envelopes, and one recording device between safes.
This alleged break-in happened just days after another peculiar event involving district tapes. On November 18, right before a regular board meeting began, Strenzel reportedly fell outside the station and broke two empty tape recorders. In response, a district attorney requested an employee purchase a new recording device so the closed session could proceed.
Despite these efforts, the contents of the closed sessions remain undisclosed. At the December 17 regular board meeting, trustees approved—and kept confidential—the minutes from several closed sessions over the past year. Trustees Hamilton "Bo" Gibbons and Jill Strenzel voted in favor, while Orrico opposed.
In addition to these internal struggles, paramedics and emergency medical technicians working for Public Safety Services Inc. but stationed at Tri-State have been actively pursuing unionization. Over 50% of employees have signed cards indicating their desire for union representation, according to an official from the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics. An election is set for later this month, with results expected early next year.
Amidst this organizational push, Fire Chief Gibson announced that Shelly Carbone, who managed the paramedics at Tri-State, would be transitioning to a higher-level role within PSSI and would no longer serve as the EMS coordinator at Tri-State, based on interviews and a December 19 email obtained by the BGA. PSSI did not respond to phone inquiries.
As these events unfold, tensions within the west suburban fire district appear to be escalating. Firefighters continue to monitor the growing concerns, wary of what further revelations might emerge.
Thanks to Dan and Scott for sharing!
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