Firefighter Accused of Sex Chatting with an Assumed Minor Resigns from Orland Fire

Updated, 2:25 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2012

Updated, 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2012

Firefighter Dean Milenkovic formally resigned from the Monday, while facing felony charges in connection to a sexual chat sting, where he thought he was talking to a 13-year-old girl but was actually chatting with an undercover cop.

The district’s board of fire commissioners, who oversee personnel matters including hiring, firing and discipline, convened for a special meeting Monday to address an internal investigation into Milenkovic’s actions. During the meeting, the commissioners voted in favor of accepting Milenkovic’s resignation, and also gave an official OK to cease an administrative review that started after .

Milenkovic, 46, of Orland Park, will receive compensation for sick days, kelly days or vacation days he had remaining for the year, but nothing further, Orland Fire Commissioner John Brudnak said Tuesday. He will not be drawing any further salary, Brudnak said.

“Anything we owe him, we are settling with him,” Brucki said. “That doesn’t entitle him to anything in addition to that.”

The separation agreement didn’t include mentions of pension.

“He just resigned with his 16 years so that’s an issue he’ll have to take up with the pension board,” Brucki said.

The current pension agreement for Orland firefighters allows for 50 percent of their salary available if they are 50 years of age or older, and spent at least 20 years with the district, Orland Fire Battalion Chief Mike Schofield said Monday. Firefighters can appeal for a differed pension before reaching the age and time spent with the district, but that also will be up to the pension board and often results in a reduced dollar amount, Orland Battalion Chief Nick Cinquepalmi said Monday.

“Going forward people will see a notable change in the way we carry ourselves,” Cinquepalmi said. “The message we’re sending is we are moving forward and public trust is the most important thing.”

Brucki said restoring public trust in the district will be a “main priority” moving ahead.

“We’ll do whatever we have to do to make a marked improvement in restoring the public trust,” Brucki said. “Anyone who wears the uniform will share that common message.”

Brudnak said the agreement with Milenkovic includes no possibility of his reinstatement with the district in the future. Brudnak also noted there was full cooperation between Orland Firefighters Local 2754 and the commissioners.

“It closes the book on a chapter no one ever wants to open again,” Brudnak said. “Now the events can run their course without any involvement of the fire district.”

Milenkovic is scheduled to appear next in court on July 23. He was released on $30,000 bail.

Clarification: Terms of Dean Milenkovic's resignation does not involve the current firefighters' contract set through negotiations between the district board and Orland Firefighters Local 2754. The firefighter contract does not include stipulations for pay without working, according to union officials.

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