Springfield Fire Chief Barry Helmerichs is reportedly set to retire next month… and may take several other top brass with him.
Helmerichs is declining to comment, but the Illinois Times says it confirmed news of the retirement with Mayor Jim Langfelder.
At least two, and perhaps three, other top fire department officials are also set to retire, and the Times says the move may be timed to prevent layoffs of new fire department cadets whose jobs may be at risk because of city budget cuts.