Stay Away, Clarendon Hills Fire Chief Told

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Clarendon Hills' longtime fire chief, who is on paid administrative leave, is banned from the fire department's restricted employee areas and other restricted areas on village property.

Also, Chief Brian Leahy's access to the village's computer system has been cut off.

This situation also applies to administrative Lt. Jim Weil, who is on paid administrative leave as well.

On Nov, 7, Village Manager Zach Creer emailed the officials about their status. According to the message, Creer met with each official earlier in the day. He announced their exits later to the fire department, naming Lt. Dave Godek interim chief.

In the letters, Creer said the pair are still village employees. They are to be available during their normal shifts in case the village needs to contact them, he said.

He said the men should not attempt to use their village email accounts or any other available village technology while on leave. He told Leahy he could keep his village-issued cellphone and vehicle while on leave.

"During this administrative leave, you are not to engage in any duty-related functions unless you are given express written permission," Creer said. "Failure to comply with these directives may be considered as insubordination, which could affect your employment status with the Village."

In a Nov. 7 email, Assistant Village Manager Mera Johnson requested the village's information technology vendor disable Leahy's and Weil's access to the computer system.

Patch obtained the documents through a public records request.

The village blacked out portions of the letter. In doing so, it cited exceptions to the state's open records law for private information and records created in the course of administrative enforcement proceedings.

On Monday, the Village Board took the first step to enact a mandatory retirement age of 65 for firefighters and police officers. The measure is expected to affect four firefighters, including Leahy, who joined the fire department in the early 1970s.

Earlier this week, Creer declined to say whether an investigation involving the two officials was underway.

Leahy has not returned messages for comment. Patch could not find contact information for Weil.