Elmhurst-Area Entity's Sole Job Involves Bureaucracy

ELMHURST, IL — The "paper" fire district that serves unincorporated residents between Elmhurst and Bensenville has just one job: Send annual checks to two entities that provide fire service for its area.

That seems simple. But the overhead to do that last fiscal year amounted to more than $30,000.

For three decades, Bensenville Fire District No. 1 has provided no actual fire service. Instead, it pays the city of Elmhurst and Bensenville Fire District No. 2 to do it.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained documents this week detailing Fire District No. 1's finances.

In fiscal year 2021, which ended May 31, Fire District No. 1 gave Fire District No. 2 a check for $136,250. Elmhurst received $98,258. Those payments totaled $234,508.

Another $31,139 was spent on overhead, including $4,530 for secretarial and printing, $2,229 for dues and postage and $2,195 for insurance. Professional fees, mainly payments to the district's lawyer, amounted to $16,874. The postage may have resulted from the district's mailing of a fake "official ballot" last April.

Probably the most curious expense was the $550 for travel. Former Trustee George Jefferies received $50 for travel most months. It's unclear why. He lives close to meeting sites. Patch is trying to get more information on the reasoning for the expense.

The overhead spending amounted to 12 percent of the budget.

Fire District No. 1's president, Paul Guerino, who took the reins last year, declined to say whether he thought that level of overhead spending was appropriate.