Orland Fire Protection District: Who's Been Fired, Who's Been Hired and Other Changes the Last 11 Weeks

Is the sun rising or setting over the Orland Fire Protection District?

Newcomers Christopher Evoy and Blair Rhode joined the board in April, pledging to closely examine the district's finances. Current trustee James Hickey was then elected board president and pledged to do the same. But in just under three months, the new district board has come under persistent scrutiny for its decisions.

Trustees have disagreed on reducing staff and changing the makeup of the fire board of commissioners, who are involved in the hiring, discipline and training of firefighters.

Hickey contends that he is taking the district in a new direction, a business direction, with an acute eye on finances and patronage. In a release, the district said it has so far saved $91,000 with various personnel cuts they have approved.

But sources on both sides of this deeply divided discourse have suggested that several lawsuits, by and against district employees, are imminent. At least one citizen has lambasted Hickey for hiring a law firm and lobbyist who contributed to Evoy's and Rhode's campaign. Others accuse him of breaking the law by discussing business away from the public ear.

In case you missed the din, upheaval and finger-pointing that were the last 11 weeks at the Orland Fire Protection District, here's what happened.

Check back. We will continue to update the timeline.

April 5

and are , defeating incumbent candidate . and dropped out of the race several weeks prior.

April 27

At the last meeting of the previous fire board of trustees, . Chief Bryant Krizik made the case that all 11 men would alleviate the district's overtime costs. Most of the trustees agreed, including James Hickey, who contended that the district would incur greater costs if it postponed the issue any longer.

May 16

and elected as board treasurer and board secretary, respectively. Hickey was elected board president. He immediately asked the three-person fire board of commissioners for their resignations. They declined.

May 19

The board , with Del Gado Law Group and James Roche & Associates on an interim basis. Del Gado and Roche will provide general counsel to the board of trustees and board of fire commissioners, respectively. Board members promised to put out bids for legal service before the interim period concludes.

During a second meeting that morning, new board members made a slew of recommendations regarding personnel. Trustee Martin McGill complained of not having prior knowledge of the recommendations.

May 25

. Battalion Chief Raymond Kay was made acting chief.

The 11 firefighters whose hiring was approved on April 27 were put on hold pending a staffing audit. Hickey said the board of trustees need more information about the advantages of hiring none, some or all of the firefighters. McGill disagreed.

Bill Figel and his public relations company were fired. Ray Hanania and his company Urban Strategies Group (USG) were hired on an interim basis as public information specialists. Hickey has since said USG will save the district $12,000.

A policy that says battalion chiefs cannot serve on other districts was repealed, and the committee and board meetings were moved to the third and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

Cheryl Axley was hired to help the fire district lobby for federal grant money, while all "non-essential expenditures" were suspended until further notice.

May 31

. Receptionist Mary Jane Christ was promoted to the position of board secretary, taking on some responsibilities of the past executive secretary position. Utterback was paid $65,000 a year and Christ will be paid $37,000, according to Hickey.

June 2

. He told Patch he felt "bullied" by comments Hickey had made in the press and warned of Hickey's efforts to politicize a traditionally impartial board of commissioners.

Several days later, she had no intention of stepping down.

June 7

. The board decided to hire the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, led by former Chief Robert Buhs, to conduct a staffing audit. They will be paid $70 an hour for their service, Hickey said.

The law firm Ottosen, Britz, Kelly, Cooper and Gilbert was hired as special counsel. Hickey said the law firm will handle an investigation, though he wouldn't elaborate on who it involves. However, a source close to the district contends the record of chiefs Krizik and Madden will be put under the microscope.

Former board member Cynthia Katsenses was hired as a consultant. It has yet to be made public what she will be paid for her services. Meanwhile, Thomas Dubelbeis was fired as consultant.

, filling a gap left by Lia. One day prior, John Brudnak was sworn in to replace fire commissioner Thomas Hayes, whose term expired in June.

June 14

. What exactly the initiatives would entail was not specified.

The paid administrative leaves of chiefs Krizik and Madden were extended until the board decides otherwise.

June 16

. Chavez was immediately replaced by Lucy McGlynn. McGlynn will work for $5,000 less than Chavez did, according to the district. Donofrio's salary was $47,000, and the district said her former position will be offered in public listings.