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Chicago inspector general attacks CFD uniform allowance
Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:
Chicago taxpayers are paying $5 million annually to provide a uniform allowance for firefighters that functions more like an automatic cash bonus, according to a recent audit by Inspector General Joe Ferguson. The allowance, which is not tied to actual need or usage, has raised concerns about financial accountability and transparency.
Four years ago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel aimed to reduce several union benefits, including the clothing allowance, holiday pay, and premium pay for cross-trained firefighters. However, he later backed off on most of these changes in a pre-election contract that gained support from the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, which had previously supported his opponent in 2011.
The new five-year contract includes an 11% pay raise over five years but eliminates free health care for retirees aged 55 to 65. Now, the inspector general is scrutinizing the uniform allowance as part of a broader audit of the Chicago Fire Department's commissary, a store run by an outside contractor under a $11.7 million contract that expires in 2019.
The city provides free uniforms and replacements unless items are lost, stolen, damaged due to negligence, or affected by weight changes. The allowance—$1,250 or $1,500 depending on the role—is meant for maintenance and cleaning. But according to the audit, this allowance is among the highest in the country and lacks any real connection to actual use.
Ferguson compared Chicago’s practices with those of cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Toronto. While Chicago issues fewer uniforms to new hires and spends less per employee, the generous annual allowance offsets this efficiency. He criticized the lack of oversight, noting that firefighters can spend the money however they choose without review.
In addition, the audit found that a significant portion of the commissary’s spending came from unaccounted grants in previous years. The department plans to address this issue moving forward.
Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago has also implemented changes, such as banning firefighters from purchasing uniforms for others and adjusting when candidates receive their uniforms to reduce waste. The vendor now reviews past purchases to prevent excessive spending.
Earlier this year, Ferguson also recommended saving $1.2 million annually by civilianizing 34 non-emergency roles, including the position of commissary liaison, currently held by a captain. This move aims to cut costs and improve efficiency within the department.