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Harvey Furloughs 40% of City Staff, Closes Two Fire Stations and Brings In County Deputies

State revenue seizures have pushed the city to pursue emergency aid.

Overview

  • City documents show 69 of 167 employees were placed on unpaid furlough, including 20 of 41 firefighters and 24 of 68 police officers.
  • Fire Stations No. 2 and No. 3 are temporarily closed while Station No. 1 remains in service, and smaller departments such as water and senior services also lost staff.
  • Cook County Sheriff’s deputies are patrolling alongside Harvey police, which the mayor framed as reinforcement rather than replacement.
  • There is no timeline for workers to return as leaders explore Illinois House Bill 4024, a proposed $30 million appropriation that would need passage during the veto session ending Oct. 30.
  • Officials also cite possible talks with the firefighters’ pension fund while activists call for the mayor’s resignation and community donations for furloughed firefighters have topped $37,000.