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Carol Stream FPD conducts termination proceedings
The Carol Stream Fire District has begun a formal termination hearing for one of its battalion chiefs, Joseph Gilles. The Daily Herald has been closely following the case and published an article on February 12, 2014, detailing the initial stages of the proceedings.
According to Karl Ottosen, attorney for Fire Chief Richard Kolomay, the charges against Gilles are clear-cut: he refused to sign a performance improvement plan twice, his peers lack trust in his leadership, and he was caught falling asleep during meetings. Ottosen emphasized that Kolomay had addressed Gilles’ performance issues since he became chief in 2010, citing concerns over his management skills, hygiene, weight, and communication.
The hearing started on Wednesday, with Gilles facing termination due to his refusal to sign the PIP, which Kolomay’s legal team called a “serious breach of conduct.†Gilles' attorney, Aldo Botti, argued that Gilles had served the district for 18 years and deserved due process, regardless of whether the chief liked him or not.
Gilles testified that a 2007 evaluation noted his need to earn peer respect and poor uniform standards. He also admitted his weight had increased significantly from 240 pounds at hiring to 361 pounds in a recent physical. An email from Kolomay in September 2012 instructed Gilles to investigate a paramedic call, and although Gilles submitted a report criticizing the paramedic's performance, he did not contact the hospital, coroner, or the family — a point that contradicted earlier claims.
Ottosen also alleged that Gilles fell asleep during two meetings, including one during an emergency operation after flooding, with the police chief recording the incident. Gilles was temporarily removed from duty pending a sleep study.
The PIP, issued on July 27, outlined three key concerns: lack of management skills, failure to gain peer respect, and a lack of trust in his leadership. Despite being asked to sign it by July 29, Gilles arrived in a new uniform, brought treats for staff, but refused to sign.
Kolomay gave Gilles three options: sign the PIP, agree to an amicable separation, or face termination. Gilles chose none, and an August 19 email laid out the potential charges. A motion was granted to keep testimony about the August 25, 2012, paramedic call confidential, citing a pending lawsuit. The hearing resumed the next day.
On February 15, 2014, another article featured Lt. Robert Schultz, who worked under Gilles for nearly four years. Schultz described Gilles' performance as a "nightmare" and said that while Gilles was good at checking boxes, he lacked leadership and professionalism. He criticized Gilles’ appearance, command presence, and even his eating habits.
Schultz also mentioned that Gilles often fell asleep during meetings, once while Schultz was giving a report. He later shared concerns about the August 25 call with Kolomay, but Gilles didn’t escalate the issue. Eventually, Gilles investigated the call and concluded the paramedic’s actions warranted termination, though the EMS director was never notified.
This ongoing case highlights deep-seated tensions within the fire district and raises questions about leadership, accountability, and the treatment of long-serving employees.
Thanks, Dan.