From excerpts sourced on ChicagoSunTimes.com:
Inspector General Joe Ferguson released a report Wednesday criticizing the $5 million annual expenditure by Chicago taxpayers for a firefighter uniform allowance. Ferguson argues that this allowance functions more like an automatic cash bonus rather than being tied to any real need or use. Four years ago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel initially targeted several firefighter perks, including the clothing allowance, but later withdrew these demands ahead of an election to secure the unexpected endorsement of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2.
The current five-year agreement includes an 11% pay increase over its duration but discontinues free healthcare for retirees aged 55 to 65. Ferguson's recent audit scrutinizes the uniform issuance, exchange, and repair processes at the Chicago Fire Department's Commissary, a contracted storefront responsible for managing these services under a $11.7 million contract set to expire in 2019.
While the city covers free uniforms and replacements, barring specific conditions, the uniform allowance—ranging from $1,250 to $1,500 depending on assignment—is meant for uniform maintenance and cleaning. Comparing Chicago's practices to those in New York City, Philadelphia, Toronto, Dallas, San Diego, and Indianapolis, Ferguson noted that Chicago firefighters receive fewer uniform items than most cities and spend less per person annually. However, the generous allowance remains disproportionately high nationwide.
Ferguson criticized the allowance for being detached from actual needs and pointed out the lack of oversight regarding how funds are spent. He recommended reevaluating this expense during upcoming negotiations, emphasizing the potential for increased budget transparency, accountability, and savings.
The audit reviewed 58,257 transactions amounting to $1.7 million from June 30, 2015, finding that 99.9% complied with departmental policies. However, it revealed that $535,757 in commissary expenses from 2012 and 2013 were sourced from a grant not initially included in the budget. The fire department plans to rectify this for greater transparency moving forward.
Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago has implemented changes based on the audit, such as preventing firefighters from buying uniforms for others and adjusting when trainees receive uniforms to minimize costs for those who leave. The commissary vendor must now review individual purchase histories to prevent excessive buying.
Ferguson previously suggested that hiring civilians for certain administrative roles could save at least $1.2 million annually, with potential further savings through reduced overtime. One position in question is the commissary liaison role, currently held by a captain, which could be civilianized.
These developments underscore ongoing efforts to balance firefighter benefits with fiscal responsibility while enhancing operational efficiency within the department.
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