After the Prairie Du Pont Fire District promoted a once-convicted arsonist to assistant chief, then removed the current chief for reasons undisclosed, it prompted 10 of the department's 13 members to resign.
The board removed Chief John Rosencranz and filled the position with Assistant Chief Jerame Simmons.
Over 20 years ago, Simmons was accused of setting a small fire in a local high school, and a larger fire in a vacant dwelling, according to Fox2Now.
Simmons was 18 at the time and plead guilty. He has since been pardoned by Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois Simmons is also the son of the longtime director of Saint Claire County Emergency Management Agency.
During the board meeting department, fire department members expressed their concerns about the optics and the impact it may have on the ability to provide adequate fire protection.
Chiefs from neighboring departments pledged to help with coverage gaps, supported the change, and expressed support for Simmons.
