No Pension Yet For Ex-Elmhurst Fire Chief

ELMHURST, IL – Former Elmhurst Fire Chief Bill Anaszewicz, who left suddenly in early April, is not getting a city pension yet, even though he said he was retiring in his resignation letter to superiors.

The city confirmed last week that Anaszewicz is not old enough to be eligible for a pension. The age of eligibility is 50. Anaszewicz worked for the Elmhurst Fire Department for 26 years, the last seven months as its chief.

Five days after Anaszewicz resigned, the city announced the development as part of a news release announcing the selection of an interim chief. The city did not say Anaszewicz was retiring, but rather that he was looking for a new employment opportunity.

Last month, Anaszewicz became Carpentersville's fire chief, making $144,000 a year. His salary was higher than that in Elmhurst, but it's unclear by how much.

Patch emailed an inquiry to Elmhurst on Monday, but the city required a formal public records request, which Patch submitted. That means it could take until next week for the city to provide the information.

At 37,000, Carpentersville, which is in suburban Kane County, has about 8,000 fewer people than Elmhurst.