East Dundee fire district chief placed on leave

The East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District board voted 2-1 Friday to remove Chief Mark Rakow from the position he's held for 23 years.

Rakow, who took over as chief after his father, Eugene Rakow, retired in 1986, will remain on paid leave until his contract expires Dec. 31, 2011, Trustee Hank Clemmensen said.

Details on his removal were scant shortly after the special closed lunchtime meeting to discuss Rakow, but Clemmensen said board members spent more than an hour discussing the issue.

"The board felt it was time for a change," Clemmensen said.

In August, the board increased Rakow's annual salary to $105,114. The raise was retroactively applied to Jan. 1.

Assistant Fire Chief Steve Schmitendorf was named acting fire chief.

In a statement, Rakow said he was "extremely grateful for the opportunity" to serve the district.

"I have nothing but the utmost respect for the members of this department and I remain confident that they will continue to serve the community in a professional manner," Rakow said. "I am proud that I have been able to serve this organization as Fire Chief and I take comfort in knowing that I have always done so with honor and professionalism. I will remain committed to supporting the residents and visitors of this community in every way possible."

Clemmensen and Trustee John Bonkoski voted for the removal, while fire district President Mark Guth voted against it.

Rakow joined the fire department in 1971 as firefighter and was promoted to lieutenant in 1980, according to the district's Web site.

The district serves East Dundee, South Barrington, Barrington Hills, and unincorporated portions of Kane and Cook counties.

Clemmensen said trustees have not discussed details on a permanent replacement.