Fire inspectors accused of taking 'tips'

Eight Chicago Fire Department inspectors are facing discipline for allegedly taking cash from high-rise building operators in exchange for working on their days off.

Fire department spokesman Larry Langford says the inspectors allegedly agreed to do inspections on weekends, when it was more convenient for the high-rise buildings.

In exchange, the high-rise operators gave the inspectors cash that Langford characterized as "tips."

Langford says public safety was never compromised because the inspectors didn't alter the results of their inspections.

He didn't know how much cash was received or how long the deals had been going on.

He says the discipline process should be completed within days.