Volunteer Firefighters

Nearly a year after Peoria Heights originally approved a plan to hire full-time firefighters, projected budget deficits have some village board members questioning the move.

The Village of Peoria Heights is navigating a new effort to fund their fire department amid a potential budget shortfall.

West Peoria voters have a pair of referendums to consider this March.

In a unanimous vote, the board confirmed Dan Decker to the position.

Peoria Heights Mayor Mike Phelan had hoped to appoint a new fire chief during Tuesday night’s village board meeting, but that process is now on hold.

The Village of Peoria Heights is in a period of uncertainty, as a divided village board charts the path forward for the village’s volunteer fire department.

A member of the Village of Peoria Heights Board of Trustees resigned last week.

Small communities throughout Illinois are having trouble recruiting and retaining volunteers at their local fire departments. 70% of fire departments in…