It's no surprise that residents of North Riverside might feel embarrassed these days. Known for their strong work ethic and commitment to fairness, the community has long trusted that their elected officials are managing village affairs responsibly. Unfortunately, it appears that this trust has been misplaced.
For years, local politicians have been misusing public funds, diverting money meant for police and firefighter pensions into other areas. This is not just a financial issue — it’s a betrayal of the people who support the village through their taxes. In fact, over the past decade, the village board has failed to contribute even a single dollar to the firefighters’ pension fund in five different fiscal years.
Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. now wants to privatize the fire department, not because the current team is underperforming, but to access additional funds that should be used for public safety. The firefighters of North Riverside are among the most professional in the Midwest, yet the mayor is pushing for a move that seems more like a political maneuver than a genuine solution.
This isn’t a new problem. Back in 2011, The Landmark reported on warnings from Trustee Rocco DeSantis about potential lawsuits due to the village’s failure to meet its legal obligations for pensions. DeSantis also pointed out the hypocrisy of the board, which managed to keep its own pensions up to date through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
Privatizing a public fire department raises serious questions about ethics and accountability. After all, public service isn’t meant to be a profit-driven enterprise. More importantly, this move by Mayor Hermanek threatens the safety of every resident in North Riverside. Public fire and police departments exist to protect communities — and that should never be compromised for political or financial gain.
The actions of the mayor and the village board are not only embarrassing, but deeply troubling. It’s time for real accountability, transparency, and respect for the hardworking citizens who support this community.
Pat Devaney, President Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
Thanks, Dan.
From the Chicago Sun-Times:
The union representing North Riverside firefighters has vowed to take legal action if the village moves forward with plans to hand control of the fire department over to a private company. According to Rick Urbinati, president of the North Riverside Firefighters Union-Local 2714, the move would violate multiple state labor laws and could lead to a costly court battle.
The mayor claims the privatization is a way to address a growing pension crisis, but critics point out that the company set to take over the contract has donated heavily to his political party. This raises concerns about conflicts of interest and whether the decision is truly in the best interest of the residents.
Since 2008, the village has underpaid or skipped contributions to both police and firefighter pension funds. As a result, these accounts are currently only 40% funded. A recent change in state law allows the government to intercept tax revenues from municipalities that fail to meet their obligations, adding pressure on North Riverside to act quickly.
Mayor Hermanek argues that the village faces a $1.9 million deficit and relies heavily on sales tax revenue, which has been sluggish since the recession. With a population of just 6,700, the village isn't large enough to qualify for home rule status, making it difficult to raise property taxes. Funding the pension fund would require a significant increase, something the mayor says is not feasible.
To avoid these challenges, Hermanek has proposed awarding a $9 million, five-year contract to Paramedic Services of Illinois, a company that has donated over $3,800 to his political party. These donations account for 26% of the party’s fundraising since 2005, according to state records.
If approved, the 16 unionized firefighters would be offered jobs with the private company. They would retain their base pay but lose many of their benefits and would have to give up their pensions in favor of a 401(k) plan. The proposal is scheduled for a final vote on July 14.
Union leaders say they will fight back, refusing to work for the private company unless a better alternative is found. Attorney J. Dale Berry has already indicated he’s open to negotiating a deal that would cost the village the same as the current proposal.
Trustee H. Bob Demopoulos, the only board member opposing the plan, called it a bad deal. “We’ve subsidized water and garbage for years,†he said. “Now we’re asking our firefighters to sacrifice.â€
Orchard Electric Tricycle,Electric Tricycle For Orchard Transportation,Electric Tricycle For Orchard Workers,Transport Fruit Orchard Electric Tricycle
Xuzhou Tianying Automobile Co.,Ltd , https://www.qjwzwelectrictricycle.com