Three Firefighters Laid Off
Oak Lawn Board Votes 4-2 for Dismissal Due to Budget
Oak Lawn’s Village Board of trustees voted 4-2 April 22 to approve a revised budget for this year.
As a result, three firefighters have been fired. The Board says that this is going to help deal with a deficit that is nearly $1.7 million.
Sebastian Katzel, 28, said he thought it was a joke when he heard he was going to be laid off. The new father had been with the OLFD for two years.
Dana Bartunek, who had also been with the fire department for two years, is one of only three females on board. She also received word that she will be terminated.
Walter O’Neil, who grew up in Oak Lawn, was the third firefighter fired. He was told to expect not to return.
Village manager Larry Deetjan said that even after the reductions, the village still has more full-time firefighters than most villages.
Trustee Thomas Phelan (6th) says that too many firefighters were taking advantage of the system and taking too many days off.
“It is clear abuse of sick time,” he said.
Phelan said that he does not think it is fair for firefighters to take time off and get paid for it from taxpayers’ money.
“It’s a matter of increasing taxes or laying off firefighters, and I am not raising taxes,” said Phelan.
Trustee Jerry Hurckes (1st) is opposed to the cuts. He says that no one will put their life on the line the way firefighters do.
“We do not want to deal with the shortage of staff,” said Hurckes.
Oak Lawn Fire Chief Edward Folliard said that he is against the cuts but urges Oak Lawn residents to believe that they will still be safe in case of an emergency.
There is a chance that Oak Lawn will be looking to hire more police officers.
Mayor Dave Heilmann said that an increase of crime in the village is exactly why there should be more police.
“I have to address public safety,” said Heilmann. “My children live here, my parents live here. It is the most important goal in any community,” he added.
The only trustees to vote “no” to the cut were Hurckes and Steve Rosenbaum (4th).