Harvey, Illinois Community Responds to Furloughs Impacting Fire and Police Departments

In Harvey, Illinois, a wave of unease sweeps through the community as residents grapple with the news that 40% of the city’s workforce has been placed on unpaid leave due to a severe budget crisis.

The furloughs affect a substantial portion of the city’s operations, with crucial departments such as public works, police, and fire services bearing the brunt of the cuts. This decision has sparked considerable concern among locals about the impact on essential services.

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Destiny Martin, a resident of Harvey, voiced her disappointment, reflecting the sentiments of many in the community. “It’s a disappointment,” she stated. “Just look at the city of Harvey. We need every piece of work that we can get.”

This drastic measure follows an alarming announcement from city leaders, who declared a financial emergency only days before issuing furlough notices to dozens of city employees and first responders, effectively leaving them temporarily without work.

Martin also highlighted the broader implications of the staff reductions, especially regarding public safety. “It’s a real big public safety issue,” she expressed. “Especially when you have children and everything else, it’s ridiculous.”

RELATED: More than 40% of city of Harvey staff placed on unpaid leave amid budget crisis

The temporary cuts were felt deeply within the fire department, which lost 17 firefighters.

The city says 69 people have been temporarily furloughed, without pay or benefits. Ninety eight essential personnel will report to work, however, to maintain core city operations. But overall, 41 percent of city staff are not working Tuesday.

That includes 18 people at Public Works, 24 at the police department and 29 at the fire department.

“It’s something that was a hard decision for us to make, but it’s something that we needed to do in order to keep our city stable,” Mayor Christopher J. Clark said. “It’s been difficult giving out notices to people you have seen as family. You know some of them; you know some of their family members.”

Faced with over a $100 million debt, Harvey’s City Council voted last week to apply for “Financially Distressed City” status with the state, which temporarily shut the city down.

The mayor is blaming previous administrations for the current financial crisis; he’s been in office for six years.

“This has been many years of mismanagement, of overextended finances,” Mayor Clark said.

On Tuesday, the chiefs of the fire department and police department sat with the mayor. They shared the details of operation are still being worked out.

At least for now, all vacations at the fire department are on hold.

“Just admit that this is poor leadership and you messed up and how can we fix it?” Alderman Tracy Key said.

Since taking office, 4th Ward Alderman Tracy Key said Mayor Clark has only made the situation worse.

“If you come in and you already owe millions of dollars and you know it, why do we have excessive spending?” Alderman Key said. “That doesn’t make any sense. You’re supposed to be tight on everything until we can find our way to dig ourselves out of this hole.”

“I’m just feeling a little left out because that means that we won’t be getting the services that we normally get, but it’s something that we inherited and just trying to deal with it as best we can,” city volunteer Sue Haney said.

Haney is a volunteer with the city. She encourages her fellow furloughed employees to stay strong.

“Just keep the faith. Keep praying, and let’s work together and get the job done,” Haney said.

“Need them to come in here, start making some changes, bring business back, get these abandoned building torn down and start rebuilding these houses,” resident Nathaniel Fields said.

The city says furloughed employees will be paid until the end of the month. The mayor is hoping the state will provide some relief money.

“If it would go through the General Assembly and pass, I think the governor would then appoint a board that would oversee the finances and operations of the city,” state Rep. Will Davis said.