The Southtown Star, a publication of the Sun-Times, is reporting that the village of Dixmoor will be shutting down its fire department as of December 1, 2013. This decision comes as the financially troubled village faces severe budget constraints and ongoing issues with governance.
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 that the village board approved the decision during a special meeting without allowing public input.
Mayor Dorothy Armstrong, who was elected earlier this year, had previously highlighted a budget shortfall of over $1 million. She stated that maintaining the fire department cost the village $773,000 annually—a third of its total revenue. The department had 20 firefighters on staff, many of whom were part-time or full-time employees.
Despite efforts to reach Armstrong for comment, she remained unavailable. However, several village workers confirmed the closure, with one firefighter stating that they were not allowed to speak publicly about the matter. It appears that the village plans to outsource fire protection to the Harvey Fire Department and use a private ambulance service for paramedics.
Tim McDonald, president of Local 73 of the Service Employees International Union, criticized the process, noting that the mayor had been pushing for this change for years. He claimed that even before the official vote, six of the 12 full-time firefighters had already been laid off.
McDonald also pointed out that the union had won a grievance against the village for back pay but had yet to receive it. “They owe about $12,000 to each firefighter because they gave raises to the police department but not to us,†he said. According to the contract, if any village workers received a raise, the firefighters should too.
Dixmoor, with a population of just 3,644, is one of the poorest suburbs in the Chicago area. Its median household income is around $38,817, and nearly 36% of residents live below the poverty line. The village has a long history of mismanagement, including scandals involving the park district, where funds were embezzled, and officials went to prison for stealing money meant for community projects.
Earlier this year, there were reports that only three of the five police cars had gas, and the fire chief had complained about unpaid staff. Political corruption has been a recurring issue, with former mayors and officials facing charges for fraud, tax evasion, and misuse of public funds.
While some argue that a small village like Dixmoor may not need a full-time fire department, others question whether it’s fair to cut such services when the community is already struggling. McDonald emphasized that residents deserve proper emergency services, even if the village can’t afford them.
“I don’t know how they’re going to come up with the money to pay what they owe,†he said. “It doesn’t make sense.â€
Many in the community feel that their taxes are not being used effectively, and with no one willing to speak on the record, trust in local leadership continues to erode. As the fire department prepares to close, questions remain about what will happen next—and whether the people of Dixmoor can still believe in their leaders.
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