Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com: The Tri-State Fire Protection District is currently searching for a new fire chief following the sudden resignation of Jack Mancione earlier this month, despite having 18 months remaining on his contract. According to Eric Habercoss, president of the district’s board of trustees, the board has appointed Battalion Chief Patrick Brenn as the acting fire chief during the transition period. The Tri-State Fire Protection District serves several communities, including parts of Burr Ridge, Darien, Willowbrook, Willow Springs, and unincorporated areas of DuPage County. It provides essential fire and emergency services to these regions. Mancione had been serving as fire chief since 2014, after the retirement of Chief Michelle Gibson. Gibson's retirement package sparked controversy when it included $115,000 for unused leave and an additional $22,000, which was criticized by the Better Government Association. The board recently approved Mancione’s own retirement agreement, but the details will not be released until he receives a copy, expected around Monday. Habercoss stated that he believes the terms of the agreement are fair and reasonable, based on Mancione’s original contract, which was approved before he joined the board in April. Just a week after Mancione’s retirement, Deputy Fire Chief William Just also stepped down, raising questions about leadership stability within the department. In recent months, the Edgar County Watchdog website has raised concerns about Mancione’s handling of public records. Specifically, they accused him of failing to properly document donations of used equipment and releasing personal health information of employees in response to a FOIA request. Mancione has not commented on these allegations. To ensure a smooth transition, the board is exploring options to hire outside help for the search of a new chief. They are consulting with an executive recruiting firm and the Illinois Association of Fire Chiefs to understand the costs involved. The goal is to find a leader who can modernize operations, improve transparency, and restore public trust in the district’s administration. The district has faced increased scrutiny in recent years. Last year, the Better Government Association highlighted a conflict of interest involving trustee Julie Strenzel, who did not recuse herself from voting on Gibson’s salary and benefits, even though she was in a civil union with her. Strenzel lost her re-election bid to Habercoss in April. Other changes have occurred as well. Hamilton Gibbons, the former board president, resigned after Gibson’s retirement, and Bob Jewell took over. In August, Trustee Mike Orrico left the board after stating he no longer lived in the district. The remaining trustees interviewed five candidates and selected Joseph Wolski to fill the vacancy. In response to community demands for more representation, the board has voted to expand the number of trustees from three to five. However, legal opinions differ on when the expansion can take effect. Habercoss supports waiting until the April 2017 election to make the change. At its November 16 meeting, the board also directed the Board of Fire Commissioners to proceed with hiring three new firefighters, signaling a step toward rebuilding the department’s workforce. “We seem to be moving in the right direction,†Habercoss said, expressing cautious optimism about the future of the district. Wenzhou Selection Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.zj-packaging.com