MySuburbanLife.com recently published an article detailing the ongoing disciplinary hearing for a battalion chief from the Carol Stream Fire Protection District. The case centers around Joseph Gilles, who has been suspended and faces potential termination after refusing to cover up what he claims was negligence within the district.
The hearing concluded with both parties presenting their final arguments. Gilles maintains that his suspension stems from his refusal to hide the district's failures, while officials claim it is due to performance issues, including his weight and allegations of sleeping on duty.
Gilles, who has served the district for 19 years, was suspended in September 2013 after being charged with insubordination by District Chief Richard Kolomay. The reason cited was Gilles’ failure to sign a performance improvement plan (PIP). According to Kolomay’s attorney, Karl Ottosen, the chief had made efforts to help Gilles improve before initiating formal disciplinary action.
Ottosen emphasized the strict hierarchy in a paramilitary organization, stating, “In a paramilitary organization, people don’t have a choice whether to accept an order or not. Top-down orders have to be followed. You can’t pick and choose your orders.†He argued that Gilles’ refusal to comply with the PIP was the real issue at hand.
However, Gilles’ attorney, Aldo Botti, argues that the true cause of the disciplinary action is tied to an incident in August 2012. During this event, a woman named Armida Nonneman died after a paramedic allegedly failed to properly treat her choking episode. A second paramedic arrived later and cleared the airway, but she passed away three days later.
Botti claims that the first paramedic, Carey Zabran, did not follow proper protocol, and questions were raised about how the district handled the situation. Kolomay then asked Gilles to conduct an internal investigation, which led to a recommendation that Zabran be fired. Zabran was asked to sign a PIP, and Gilles was tasked with overseeing its completion.
Although Gilles claimed the plan was satisfactory, he still recommended Zabran’s termination. She eventually resigned and now receives a non-duty disability pension. Meanwhile, Gilles was asked to sign and complete a similar plan related to issues raised by Kolomay.
Botti criticized the PIP as vague and subjective, arguing that it gives Kolomay too much power to determine whether Gilles passes or fails. He also claims that Kolomay has no authority to make such decisions.
Kolomay’s attorney focused the hearing on Gilles’ refusal to sign the PIP, rather than the 2012 incident. Ottosen stated, “Two paramedics have been totally discredited on that case; it has nothing to do with this case.†He added that employees must follow directives unless they are illegal, and that the PIP does not meet that standard.
The board will now review all evidence in a closed session. A public hearing is scheduled for October 15 at 4:30 p.m., when the commission will announce its decision.
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