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City removes mandatory age cap for police, fire chiefs; council cites retention and legal risk
Summary
Freeport council voted to amend city code to remove a mandatory retirement age of 65 for police and fire chiefs, citing home‑rule authority and federal age‑discrimination risk; vote was 7–1 on final passage after suspension of rules.
The City of Freeport’s council voted Sept. 2 to remove a mandatory retirement age of 65 for the positions of police chief and fire chief, saying the change allows leadership decisions to be based on ability rather than age.
The amendment — part of ordinance 2025‑55 — eliminates a provision in city code that set 65 as a mandatory retirement age for chief positions. Manager Jeff Boyer and staff told council the change clarifies that chiefs, who are appointed rather than promoted through the Fire and Police…
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