Excerpts from the Chicago Sun-Times:
Inspector General Joe Ferguson recently released an audit report scrutinizing the $5 million annual expenditure on uniform allowances for Chicago firefighters. This allowance, which amounts to $1,250 to $1,500 per person depending on their role, has evolved into something resembling an automatic cash bonus, as it lacks any real connection to the actual needs or costs associated with maintaining uniforms, Ferguson concluded.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel initially sought to address several firefighter benefits back in 2014, including the clothing allowance, holiday pay, and various premium payments. However, these demands were withdrawn ahead of an election in favor of a compromise contract that garnered unexpected support from the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, which had previously backed a different mayoral candidate.
The resulting agreement included an 11% pay increase over five years for firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, but ended free healthcare for retirees aged 55 to 65. Now, Ferguson's latest audit focuses specifically on the uniform allowance, examining its issuance, exchanges, and repair processes at the Chicago Fire Department's Commissary—a store operated by an external contractor under a $11.7 million, five-year contract set to expire in 2019.
While the city covers the cost of uniforms and replacements, except in cases of loss, theft, negligence, or significant weight changes, the uniform allowance is ostensibly meant for upkeep and cleaning. Comparing Chicago’s spending habits to those of other major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Dallas, San Diego, and Indianapolis, Ferguson noted that while Chicago spends less per employee on uniforms than many of these cities, the allowance remains one of the most generous in the country.
Ferguson emphasized that the current system lacks proper oversight regarding how funds are utilized by individual firefighters. He argued that this large stipend, amounting to millions annually, requires careful reevaluation, especially as contract negotiations loom for 2017. Such scrutiny could lead to greater transparency, accountability, and potential savings for the city.
An analysis of 58,257 transactions totaling $1.7 million over a year until June 30, 2015, revealed that 99.9% aligned with departmental policies. However, the audit highlighted that $535,757 of expenses from 2012 and 2013 came from an unappropriated grant source, a practice the Fire Department plans to rectify moving forward to enhance transparency.
In response to the findings, Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago implemented several reforms. These include restricting firefighters and paramedics from purchasing uniforms for others and adjusting timing for issuing uniforms to trainee paramedics to prevent unnecessary expenditures when candidates leave the program early. Additionally, the commissary vendor must now assess individual usage histories before approving new purchases or exchanges to mitigate overspending risks.
Ferguson previously recommended civilianizing 34 administrative roles within the fire department unrelated to firefighting duties, including the position of commissary liaison, currently held by a captain. This shift could yield savings of at least $1.2 million annually and possibly more through reduced overtime costs.
These adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to streamline operations and ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently, even as challenges persist in balancing operational needs with financial constraints.
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