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Joliet council approves IAFF Local 44 contract despite disagreement over residency rule
Summary
The City Council voted to approve a collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 44 that opens firefighter residency for four years; the vote followed public comment urging the council to retain a residency requirement and extensive council debate.
The Joliet City Council voted to approve a collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 44 on July 1, 2025, adopting the contract despite council members expressing concern over the contract's removal of a mandatory residency requirement for firefighters.
The agreement — identified in council materials as Council Memo 394-25 — was the subject of extended debate and public comment before the council approved it by roll call. Resident Damon Stunich told the council the decision would be “the most consequential decision the city will make in the next four years” and urged the council to retain residency requirements so firefighters “raise their families in Joliet” and support local institutions.
Council memb…
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