Trustees in one Chicago suburb approve fire department retirement age, forcing out fire chief

CLARENDON HILLS, Ill. - Clarendon Hills trustees approved a measure at a village meeting Monday night that forced four fire department officials into retirement, including Fire Chief Brian Leahy.

The trustees made a final vote on the administration's proposal to set a mandatory retirement age of 65 for fire and police departments.

Leahy, who is 68, has been on paid leave since early November. 

In a memorandum, village officials noted that the physical demands of firefighters can be extreme, which is why the majority of fire departments in the state have a mandatory retirement age of 65. Additionally, the memorandum says to eliminate any confusion surrounding the retirement age, the village attorney is recommending an amendment to the village code, mandating the retirement age to be 65.

Leahy previously made complaints of age discrimination against the former village manager.

The agenda for the meeting can be found below in addition to more information on the mandatory retirement age: