Politics & Government

Is It Too Expensive To Fight Fires In Chicago?

$43 million in overtime anticipated this year as firefighters deal with a hiring freeze.

The Chicago Fire Department  is burning through its overtime budget this year, prompting union leaders to call for increased hiring. The fire department is expected to pay about $43 million for overtime in 2013. That’s more than twice the amount Mayor Emanuel’s budget set aside for the expense. A hiring freeze and poor management of resources is to blame, union officials say.

Are you concerned about firefighters working too much overtime or the department's ability to respond to emergencies?


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