Fire districts to seek increase in tax levy

Excerpts from the daily-journal.com

Back in the fall, the boards of trustees for the Bourbonnais, Grant Park, and Limestone fire districts unanimously agreed to place measures on the March 17 primary ballot. These measures aim to raise the tax levy to the maximum legal limit, citing rising operational costs as a pressing concern.

One significant factor driving this decision was the recent state legislation raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. This change will drastically impact these fire districts, as it will require them to pay firefighters and paramedics significantly higher wages. For instance, firefighters currently earn $9 per hour, while paramedics make $15. With the new wage laws, full-time firefighters could soon earn over $200,000 annually. Additionally, volunteer firefighters, who previously received a flat rate per callout, will now be compensated at an hourly rate of $15.

Beyond wage hikes, federal regulations also mandate upgrades to emergency equipment. Bourbonnais has already invested $37,000 in replacing cardiac monitors in two of its ambulances. Furthermore, all three districts need to update their aging ambulance stretchers, which are currently manual and require two operators. These will be replaced with electric versions that can be operated by a single individual.

Another challenge facing these districts is the declining number of volunteers. The rigorous training requirements—250 hours to become a certified firefighter and an additional 150 hours for EMT certification—are proving too time-intensive for many potential recruits. Even after certification, ongoing training is mandated annually by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. This makes volunteering less appealing for individuals juggling work and family responsibilities.

In Bourbonnais, homeowners with a median home value of $100,000 could face a substantial tax hike, with their annual bill jumping from $135.33 to $283.33. This small fire district, covering 36 square miles and serving a population of 36,000, handled 4,182 calls last year, making it the second busiest in the county after Kankakee, which logged 6,756 calls. According to financial projections, without the proposed tax increase, the district risks running out of funds by 2021.

Currently, the station operates around the clock with seven staff members. The plan is to expand each shift by three additional personnel. Established in 1948, this district initiated its ambulance service via a referendum in 1975.

Limestone Township, with a median home value of $172,800, is also seeking a 66% tax increase, raising the annual bill from $338 to $564. This marks the first time in its 70-year history that the district has requested such a measure, and the increase is set to expire after four years.

Similarly, Grant Park, covering over 60 square miles and serving 5,000 residents, faces similar challenges. Firefighters are currently paid $9 per hour, while paramedics earn $12. As mandated by the new wage laws, these rates will increase annually until reaching $15 and $18 per hour by 2025. To accommodate these expenses, the board has proposed a property tax hike, which would raise the annual bill for a median home valued at $180,000 from $415 to $623. This additional revenue of $260,000 will help address critical needs like apparatus replacement, staffing, and equipment upgrades. Industry standards suggest fire trucks should be replaced every 20–25 years, yet Grant Park’s fleet averages 27 years old. Maintenance costs have surged in recent years, and the department must also replace all its air packs, costing approximately $150,000.

Fortunately, Grant Park has secured some grant funding to offset certain expenses. Still, the looming financial pressures underscore the urgency of securing voter approval for the proposed tax increase.