A plan to consolidate 649 downstate municipal police and firefighter pension funds into just two unified systems hit an unexpected snag Tuesday, but officials on both sides of the disagreement vowed to continue talking in hopes of reaching an agreement. Just hours before the bill was scheduled for a hearing in a House committee, the Illinois Municipal League, which has long supported pension fund consolidation, issued a statement saying a last-minute change to the bill forced that organization to withdraw its support. "I would say we have an agreed bill. It is not this bill," IML Executive Director Brad Cole told the Personnel and Pensions Committee, using a legislative term that refers to a bill on which all affected parties have agreed.  

An 11-year-old boy was critically injured in a house fire in the Back of the Yards neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, the Chicago Fire Department said. A Chicago Fire Department spokesperson said the fire may have been started by a space heater, but that is just preliminary information at this time Authorities said a mattress caught fire just after 5 p.m. Tuesday at bedroom in a home in the 5400-block of South Hermitage Avenue in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. As firefighters worked to knock down the flames, police said an 11-year-old boy was injured in the fire. He suffered burns to his hand, chest and both legs and was transported to Comer Children's Hospital in critical condition.  

At least one person is dead after an early morning house fire in suburban Bensenville, fire officials said. According to investigators, a 911 call was received just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 4N500 block of Church Road. Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and began battling the blaze. DuPage County Sheriff's officials say that an unidentified victim was killed in the fire. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family. Neighbors say that an older couple lived in the home, but said they mostly kept to themselves. Nuncio Santucci, who says he has lived across the street from the home for more than 50 years, said that the neighborhood is shocked by the blaze.  

Chicago firefighters battled intense flames and bitterly cold temperatures at a fire in the Brighton Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side. Chicago Fire Department crews worked throughout the challenging conditions of frigid cold temperatures, including a frozen hydrant to try and knock out these flames along South Francisco near 35th Street. The fire started in garage and then spread to other buildings and has been struck. Emergency crews had to set up warming buses for the many adults and children who had to evacuate their homes. It appears the fire started in a garage and spread. At this point, it's still unclear who or how this fire started. No injuries have been reported About 19 people have reportedly been displaced and warming buses were sent to the scene.  

A woman was critically injured and her pet dog died in a house fire reported Tuesday afternoon in the 3200 block of South Main Street. The Blackhawk Fire Department was dispatched about 4 p.m. and arrived to find the entire first floor of the 11/2 story house in flames. The woman, an occupant of the home, was already outside the burning structure when firefighters arrived, said Blackhawk Fire Chief John Trail. "She suffered burns and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition," he said. As many as 15 area fire departments provided mutual aid. "Because of the early brutal cold, we increased our (manpower)," Trail said. During the fire, the roof of the house collapsed. Earth moving equipment was later brought to the scene to tear down an exterior wall as firefighters continued to douse hot spots as late as 9 p.m.  

DePue Fire and Auto aid company Spring Valley Fire were toned out early Tuesday evening for the report of a structure fire. "Less than favorable conditions with the temps outside and the location made for a challenging evening," DePue Fire Department posted in a Facebook message to colleagues late Tuesday. "Thank you to all for answering the call. Always appreciated." Departments that responded to the mutual aid request included Spring Valley Fire, Ladd Fire, Peru Fire, Bureau Fire and Seatonville Fire along with Spring Valley 10/33 and Princeton EMS ambulances for firefighter rehab.  

A Worcester fire lieutenant died and several firefighters were injured early Wednesday in a fire in a multi-family home. Worcester Fire Department Lt. Jason Menard, 39, of Worcester, died while battling the fire at 7 Stockholm St. When Ladder 5 arrived at the burning building just before 1 a.m. there was heavy fire coming from the building, and firefighters were told that a baby was possibly trapped on the third floor. The fire grew to four alarms, and at one point, firefighters issued a mayday call from the third floor of the building. "Lt. Menard along with his crew from Ladder 5 were making heroic efforts to search for a reported trapped resident along with the baby. While gaining entry to the third floor, Ladder 5 became trapped by heavy fire conditions," Worcester Fire Department Chief Michael Lavoie said.  

She's a familiar face with the Duluth Fire Department. And now, Marnie Grondahl is the first female chief-level officer in the department's history. Dulth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj appointed Grondahl to be the next Deputy Chief of Life Safety and Administration. She's served in the role of Interim Deputy Chief since May, and was the Fire Marshal for about eight years prior. Chief Krizaj says "Marnie is currently the most senior member of the Duluth Fire Department," and her 32 years of service "continue to show through her leadership and knowledge of fire safety and her overall passion to keep the public safe. It is an honor to work with her, and I am proud to have her serve as a Deputy Chief."  

With President Donald Trump holding a rally in two days in Bossier City, members of local police and fire departments questioned if they could attend if they're off-duty. But they've received conflicting answers. Employees are being told two different things from two different state offices, which is putting their supervisors in a sticky situation. While one state lawmaker is looking to change that. The issue of whether municipal police and fire employees can attend President Trump's rally off-duty and in plain clothing started last week. The Office of State Examiner Fire and Police Civil Service sent out emails detailing what employees can and cannot do that's considered political activity. According to the Louisiana Civil Service President Adrienne Bordelon, "if an employee is at a political rally they could face a 30-day working suspension for first offense and termination for 2nd offense of which they can be barred for at least six years."  

The Clearcreek Township Fire Department has added sensory bags to help firefighters and paramedics when they respond to a scene involving someone on the autism spectrum. Firefighter and paramedic Eric Henry was the brainchild behind the department's new addition and did research into what items would help first responders to calm a child or adult with autism. "We were sitting there talking about them visiting the fire department one day and I was thinking about how we were equipped to deal with autistic people within our community," Henry said. "We have a lot of children that we're going to interact with all the time and there is a high probability that we're going to run into someone with autism." The sensory bags contain items to keep the subject's hands busy, reduce the noise around them and even to help them communicate with first responders. Henry equipped all three stations with sensory bags for less than $300.  

VIDEO: It's a remote mountaintop site with million-dollar views and a priceless purpose. Designated by the Los Angeles County Fire Department as ''Bravo 69'' it's a huge swath of land high above Topanga Canyon with 360 views. The helicopter pad is able to be used by LA County Fire thanks to an unusual ''licensing'' agreement the county made with a retired wealthy businessman who owns the site and was going to develop it. The property is being used for public safety as a refueling facility for fire helicopters, with 10,000 gallons of water on-site in especially tanks, plus hookups to fire hydrant and storage, and more. In a firefight, time is of the essence — to drop water, turn around, re-fill and then get back to the blaze. This location, the middle of the mountains is a crucial resource.