Working for Illinois Caucus

State representative Stephanie Kifowit is voicing strong support for Aurora Firefighters Local 99 and raising serious concerns about staffing reductions proposed in the 2026 Aurora city government budget.

City officials have claimed that eliminating 18 firefighters, three Battalion Chiefs, one Training Officer, and two frontline fire trucks will not compromise public safety. Representative Kifowit joined Local 99 in rejecting those assertions as misleading and dangerous.

“Eliminating critical frontline personnel and equipment cannot happen without impacting public safety,” said representative Kifowit. “If we expect firefighters to save lives, we must ensure they have the staff and resources required to do so safely.”

Although the City emphasizes an overall $1.5 million budget increase for the Fire Department, these targeted cuts will directly affect response times, emergency readiness, and the safety of both residents and firefighters.

“These are not abstract numbers,” representative Kifowit continued. “Every firefighter removed from a shift and every truck taken out of service slows response and increases risk. Suggesting otherwise is simply irresponsible.”

Local 99 has also warned that these reductions will lead to higher long-term costs through forced overtime, injury leave, workers’ compensation, and preventable operational failures — concerns representative Kifowit echoed.

“Short-term budgeting that creates long-term risk is not fiscally responsible,” said representative Kifowit. “It leaves the community vulnerable and places undue strain on the firefighters we rely on during emergencies.”

Representative Kifowit emphasized that with rising call volumes and increasingly complex emergencies, Aurora must maintain a fully staffed and fully supported fire service stating, “We cannot expect our firefighters to do more with less.”

Representative Kifowit concluded: “When our firefighters tell us these cuts are unsafe, we should listen. I will continue to stand with Local 99 and with every resident who expects — and deserves — a fire department that is fully staffed, fully prepared, and fully funded.”

— State representative Stephanie Kifowit