Lombard fire chief retires

Longtime Lombard Fire Chief George "Ed" Seagraves will retire effective July 30, village officials announced late Tuesday. Seagraves has spent the past 25 years with the department.

Village Manager David Hulseberg named Battalion Chief Mike Torrence acting chief effective immediately. He has been employed by the village since 1978.

In a written statement, Hulseberg said Seagraves "made many valuable contributions to the community" over the past 25 years.

Seagraves leaves the top job at a time of tension between the fire department and the village manager's office.

Last month, the fire department sat out Lombard's Lilac Parade after Hulseberg pulled the plug on paying firefighters about $500 in overtime to drive the trucks. Only one firefighter volunteered to participate without pay.

Hulseberg also recently rejected a request to take a ladder truck or engine to a funeral for a firefighter in Homewood - a traditional show of respect for a fallen comrade.

Both controversies played out amid municipal belt-tightening that included slicing $250,000 in overtime costs from the fire department's budget. The village eliminated its third ambulance and hired several part-time employees at a lower rate to do fire inspections. Previously, firefighters received overtime pay to conduct fire inspections of local buildings.

"Chief Seagraves contributed greatly to the success of our fire department, which is one of the finest in the state of Illinois," said Village President William Mueller in a written statement. "I wish him and his family much success as he continues on in his profession."

Seagraves could not be reached for comment.