19 Ill. firefighters get layoff notices

KTVI

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.— Keeping the public safe in East St. Louis could soon become more difficult.  This comes after it was announced that close to 20 firefighters will soon be laid off.

It all comes down to money. The firefighters who are being laid off were paid through a federal grant that has now run out. City leaders say there isn’t money in the budget to keep the firefighters on board.

The head of the East St. Louis Firefighter’s Union Local 23 says 19 layoff notices have gone out.  However, Mayor Alvin Parks says 17 are being laid off, and that two officers will be paid through monies in the general fund.

Full story: 19 East St. Louis firefighters get layoff notices