South Beloit leaders say chief search, new ambulance and staffing shortfalls will raise fire service costs

South Beloit Mayor and councilors on Oct. 6 said the city will move forward with a formal chief search and that restoring dependable ambulance and fire coverage will likely cost more than the city has paid in recent years.

The council said it has started a hiring process with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association to recruit candidates for a permanent fire chief. “We hope to have that education process in place by the end of the week,” City Administrator Sonia said, describing plans to publish the job posting broadly and forward the most qualified candidates to an assessment center after a 30‑day posting period.

The discussion followed months of failed contract negotiations and public criticism over a previously proposed merger with nearby fire providers. Mayor acknowledged community frustration and said negative public campaigning had undermined earlier…