Sherman, Ill. (ECWd) –
Last week we received an anonymous tip showing a fireman in the Sherman Fire Protection District advertising his car/truck wash and detailing business at $200.00 each.
The problem was that all of the photos we found were taken inside the fire district building right next to a fire truck – with a wet floor and comments leading us to believe he actually used the open bay in the fire district building to conduct his private business.
On Monday, April 28, 2025, we sent a Freedom of Information Act request for public records to the district asking for copies of any board or fire chief approval or policy permitting anyone to use fire district property and resources to operate a vehicle wash, wax, clean, or interior detail service out of the fire house. They have not yet responded, and do not have to respond until 5 business days later, or in this case Monday, May 5, 2025.
We did notice the fireman in question has removed those photos and posts from his Facebook page, so we assume he was notified that we were asking questions.
Hopefully the trustees have put an end of this improper use of a public building.
Actions such as this are an improper use of public funds, property, or credit – which violates Article VIII, Section 1(a) of the Illinois Constitution because it serves no public purpose.
4 Comments
Jrsa
Posted at 10:57h, 04 MayIf he’s a fireman and at the station waiting for a fire, he had my blessing.
John Kraft & Kirk Allen
Posted at 11:05h, 04 Maythat would be a “blessing” nobody was authorized to provide
Nick Cohan
Posted at 00:29h, 02 MayIt doesn’t matter in Illionois it’s a free for all no one hardly ever get prosecuted for bad behavior,
Sgt. Joe Friday (LAPD Ret)
Posted at 00:12h, 02 MayHa. I bet that someone will soon be singing the latest version of “The Car Wash Blues.”
One could easily infer from the photos that he was conducting business in the fire district building. Still, the purported message from a customer accompanying the photo of his/her truck inside the fire district bay as they were “picking up” their vehicle seems to put the icing on the cake.
People never cease to amaze me,
And, to think, my wash guy details inside, outside, AND the engine compartment for only $120.00. And, he does it in a privately owned building for which he pays rent. These folks are getting ripped off in more ways than one.