NBC Chicago recently published an article accompanied by a video segment scrutinizing the decisions made by the Tri-State Fire Protection District (FPD) board of trustees regarding the recent retirement of Fire Chief Michelle Gibson. The piece raises significant concerns over the transparency and fairness of these choices.
The former fire chief, who recently stepped down after a long tenure, leaves behind many unanswered questions. Gibson, who was in a civil union with Jill Strenzel—one of her immediate supervisors and one of the three trustees overseeing the fire district—was granted a retirement package totaling approximately $136,000. This payout was largely attributed to unused sick days and vacation time. Attorney Shawn Collins, an expert in employment contract negotiations, reviewed this agreement and described it as "outrageous." He expressed disbelief, stating that he had never encountered a situation where someone would be paid for unused sick leave dating back to 1989. Collins went further, suggesting that the Tri-State Fire District appears more like a "private family business" than a publicly accountable entity, where individuals who know each other make decisions that seem more focused on personal gain than public interest.
This retirement deal came in the wake of a year-long investigation by the Better Government Association and NBC 5 Investigates, which revealed a noticeable increase in expenditures related to equipment, entertainment, and legal costs during Gibson's time as chief. These budgets were consistently reviewed and approved by the trustees, including her partner, Strenzel. When questioned by investigative reporter Katie Drews about the fairness of Gibson's retirement package, the newly appointed fire chief, Jack Mancione, responded via email, asserting that the trustees believed the arrangement to be "fair and reasonable" for taxpayers.
House Republican leader Jim Durkin, representing the affected area, voiced strong concerns, calling the circumstances "a call for greater public accountability." The implications of this situation have sparked widespread discussions about transparency and ethical governance within local government agencies.
As this story continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining public trust and ensuring that all decisions made by governing bodies are open to scrutiny. For more context, previous related posts can be found [HERE], [HERE], and [HERE].
Thank you to multiple sources for their contributions to this report.
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