The Joliet City Council Tuesday approved a contract with its firefighters that now allows them to live outside of the community.
The contract unanimously approved with the International Association of Firefighters Local 44 allows Joliet firefighters to live up to a 50-mile radius from the intersection of Jefferson Street and Essington Road. They will also receive a 3.25 percent annual pay increase for the next four years. Councilman Pat Mudron was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
The old contract stipulated that firefighters had to live in the City of Joliet boundaries. But it was the administration that wanted the requirement removed during current negotiations. It is possible the residency requirement might be loosened when the city negotiates with other unions, like public works, according to city officials Tuesday.
The new contract approved Tuesday is retroactive to Jan. 1 and provides the 3.25 percent pay hike this year along with the same annual increase through 2028.
Councilman Larry Hug said it was not the union that wanted the residency requirement removed, but instead it was the management.
Mayor Terry D’Arcy said the residency requirement change does not necessarily have to be permanent.
“In 2016, Joliet enacted the residency requirement that goes into 2030,” he said. “But we are having a hard time getting firefighters. We are also 20 policemen short and have a hard time getting 911 operators.
As interest rates remain high and the housing stock is limited, D’Arcy said it is hard when a new firefighter is hired and must relocate to Joliet and pay more for the property.
“If this doesn’t work out, we can bring it back in four years,” said D’Arcy.
But Damon Zdunich of Joliet said changing the residency requirement sets a bad precedent.
“This will be the most consequential decision Joliet will make for the next four years,” he said. “You cannot build a strong city without people who are invested in it.
“Their presence in our neighborhoods bring stability and trust,” Zdunich continued. “These are top-tier, tax-funded jobs. Why are we reversing a residency requirement that works.
“Has anyone asked the firemen why they don’t want to live here?”
While it can vary based on experience and other factors, the average salary for a firefighter in Joliet is about $78,173 per year.
In other city news, the council also approved a honorary street name designation for fallen solider Jose Dunez Jr.
The 25-year-old Joliet man lost his life tragically during a tactical training exercise while with the U.S. Army in Lithuania on March 31, 2025. Dunez was born and raised in Joliet. He joined the Army in 2017, and was promoted five times, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November 2020.
During his service, the Joliet native was recognized with two Army commendation medals, three achievement medals, one certificate of achievement, two Army good conduct medals and a national defense service medal.
Dunez served in three overseas deployments and was scheduled to attend the advanced leadership course at the time of his passing.
The honorary designation names Albert Avenue in Joliet as SSG Jose Dunez Jr. Way. A street where he lived prior to deployment.
“We mourn the loss for his family,” said D’Arcy. “It is a reminder to all of us for the tremendous sacrifice these men and women make for their country.”
