Mayor Rahm Emanuel is looking for a new Chicago Fire Department commissioner, as Jose Santiago hits mandatory retirement age and steps down.
Emanuel tried to find a way to let Santiago stay past his 63rd birthday that’s coming up in a few days, but the city statute bars firefighters of any rank from serving beyond that, according to spokesman Adam Collins. In a statement, Emanuel thanked Santiago for his work.
“Jose embodies what is best about Chicago’s bravest, and what is best in our city,” Emanuel said. “Knowing Jose as well as I do, I’m sure he’s going to miss seeing his Fire Department family every day, and he’ll certainly miss that more than my phone calls.”
Emanuel wants to name a replacement soon, and his focus will be on candidates within the Fire Department, Collins said.