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Village manager will only say Schuldt is on paid leave

The Carpentersville village manager Friday would not speculate how long Fire Chief John Schuldt would remain on paid administrative leave nor why he was placed on leave.

Schuldt, who has received local, national and international recognition for his work, has led the fire department since 1996.

Village Manager J. Mark Rooney confirmed Assistant Fire Chief John Skillman is acting fire chief. He would not comment on Schuldt’s status.

“It’s a personnel matter and I don’t comment on personnel matters,” Rooney said. “The public has a right to know things but on personnel matters, you’ve got to respect people’s privacy. There’s a time and place to discuss things and this is not the time and the place.”

Schuldt could not be reached for comment Friday.

Schuldt’s total compensation last year was $177,984.73, which includes his $129,509.09 salary. He will be paid while on leave, Rooney said.

“The trustees have completely stayed out of this so that it can all be done without any interference from anybody,” Village President Ed Ritter said. “I think it might be getting near a conclusion.”

Schuldt was hired in 1980 as a full-time firefighter. He has served as chief since 1996 with the exception of a one-year stint as acting village manager. A village resident since 1970, Schuldt is a past president of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and was named Fire Chief of the Year in 2011 by that group.

Last year, Schuldt helped Carpentersville win one of two Governor’s Hometown Awards for a memorial that honors local firefighters as well as those killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Carpentersville fire chief put on administrative leave

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