New Lenox Fire Protection District Meeting | July 2025

The New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on July 21, 2025, approved a major capital project and settled a residential variance request. The board unanimously approved a contract with Northern Builders to manage an estimated $4 million addition and remodel of Fire Station 62, a project aimed at modernizing the facility’s apparatus bay. More details on this project are available in a separate article.

In other new business, trustees denied a homeowner’s request for a partial fire sprinkler system, upholding a decision by the fire marshal that required full coverage in both the living quarters and the basement of the home. A full story on the variance request is also available. The board also approved financial reports and heard an update from the Fire Commissioner on a recent promotion.

John Ruckman Promoted to Lieutenant:
Fire Commissioner Marty Terlep reported that the commission recently met to certify its final list and has approved the promotion of John Ruckman to the rank of Lieutenant. Terlep stated that the date for a future commission meeting has not yet been determined.

June Financial Report Approved:
The board approved the treasurer’s report for the period ending June 30, 2025. The district began June with a balance of approximately $6.02 million and ended with over $10.24 million after receiving $5.59 million and disbursing $1.37 million. As of the meeting date, the district’s cash on deposit was $9.4 million. The board also approved the payment of outstanding bills totaling $622,226 and payroll of $218,164.

Fire Chief Reports on Billing and Deployment:
Fire Chief Adam Riegel informed the board that ambulance billing revenue is up. He also noted that one of the district’s battalion chiefs, BC Parkhurst, was deployed to Texas with the Illinois Task Force 1 incident management team and was scheduled to return on the upcoming Saturday.

Trustees Attend State Training:
Trustee Keith Popp reported that he and Trustee Brian Fischer recently attended a trustee training event in Champaign. On behalf of both, Popp thanked the district for providing the opportunity for them to attend the educational conference.