Last fall, the boards of trustees for the Bourbonnais, Grant Park, and Limestone fire districts all voted to place proposals on the March 17 primary ballot, seeking voter approval to increase property tax levies to the maximum allowed by state law.

A key driver behind these proposals was a state law mandating that the minimum wage rise to $15 per hour by 2025. This change has significantly impacted the budgets of the three fire districts, as it would push annual wages for full-time firefighters beyond $200,000. Currently, full-time firefighters earn $9 per hour, while paramedics make $15. Volunteer firefighters, who previously received a flat rate per call, will now be paid an hourly rate of $15 under the new law.

In addition to wage increases, the fire departments face new requirements. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that fire departments replace their ambulance cardiac monitors. Bourbonnais has already replaced two units at a cost of $37,000. All three districts must also upgrade their ambulance stretchers—currently 20 years old—to electric models that can be operated by a single person.

The decline in volunteer firefighters is another growing concern. Training and certification have become more time-consuming: becoming a firefighter takes six months (250 hours), and becoming an EMT requires another six months. After certification, personnel must complete annual training. Previously, certifications were valid for life, but this is changing due to new rules from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

For a median home in Bourbonnais valued at $100,000, the annual property tax would jump from $135.33 to $283.33. The district covers 36 square miles and serves 36,000 residents. Last year, they responded to 4,182 calls—second only to Kankakee County’s 6,756. Financial projections showed that without additional funding, the district would face a budget shortfall by 2021.

The station operates 24/7 with seven staff members on each shift, and the goal is to add three more to each team. The district, established in 1948, launched its ambulance service through a referendum in 1975.

In Limestone Township, where the median home value is $172,800, property taxes would rise by 66%, reaching $564 annually from $338. This would be the first tax increase since the district was formed in 1951. Firefighters currently earn $9 per hour, and paramedics make $12. With the minimum wage increase, both groups will see annual raises of $1 per hour until 2025, when firefighters will earn $15 and paramedics $18 per hour.

In Grant Park, a median home valued at $180,000 would see a 66% tax increase, raising the bill to $623 from $415. The additional $260,000 in revenue would help cover equipment replacement, staffing, and apparatus upgrades. According to industry standards, fire trucks should be replaced every 20–25 years, but the average age of Grant Park’s fleet is 27 years. Maintenance costs have risen sharply over the past three years, and the department must also replace all its air packs at a cost of $150,000.

Grant Park’s district spans over 60 square miles and serves 5,000 residents. While the department has managed to secure some grant funding for equipment, ongoing financial pressures continue to grow.

Thanks, Dennis

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