Bill Would End Once in Decade Promotional Exams for Chicago Firefighters
An Illinois Senate bill could help Chicago firefighters get promotions more easily and frequently by standardizing the process.
Currently, the promotional exams are not held on a regular basis and sometimes, only once in a decade, IAFF Local 2 officials told reporters.
Chicago is exempted from the Fire Department Promotion Act, which other departments across the state follow.
"Chicago firefighters you have been treated unfairly for far too long. You don't have clarity about the career that you have chosen to take on that is very dangerous and that protects all of us. And that ends now," Senator Willie Preston told reporters.
Some firefighters may only get one chance at a promotion during a 20-year career.
The bill is headed for the state senate for consideration.
