Rep. Scherer speaks out against Springfield Fire Department budget cuts

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is speaking out against the $1.4 million budget cut the Springfield Fire Department is facing.

RELATED: Springfield Fire Department faces $1.4M in budget cuts

Springfield Fire Chief Brandon Blough has said the budget cuts will likely lead to layoffs within the department.

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However, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder and several aldermen have said layoffs will not be necessary.

RELATED: Springfield City Council, fire chief debate over layoffs

Scherer is pushing the City of Springfield to find other budget solutions that would prevent these cuts in order to protect local firefighters and emergency services.

In a statement, Scherer said:

"The drastic budget cut to the fire department is harmful to the citizens of Springfield and reducing or laying off members of the fire department is not an avenue to pursue. Public safety is the number one priority of any elected official, and I implore the city to find an alternative measure, rather than laying off the very people that my constituents rely on to be there for them.

"Throughout this pandemic we have witnessed how important public service is to our communities. There is no question that firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and all other first responders are a vital part of Springfield and are literally there for each resident and visitor of the capitol city every minute of every day."