East St. Louis Firefighters Layoffs

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) -- Thirteen firefighters are among 14 East St. Louis city workers that could soon be laid off in an effort to balance the budget before year's end. They also plan on closing the north end firehouse.

The city on Monday also announced it doesn't plan to fill vacancies for assistant fire chief and another firefighter.

Fire Chief William Fennoy warns the reduction amounts to the loss of an entire shift of firefighters and that the quality of service will suffer.

Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. says the cuts would save the city about $1 million.

The layoffs must be approved by the Financial Advisory Authority, which oversees the city's spending. If that entity signs off during its Sept. 21 meeting, Parks says the layoffs will take effect Oct. 1.

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