Tentative deal could end firefighter dispute

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SYCAMORE – An ongoing dispute between a firefighter and the city may reach a settlement today on two fronts.

An agreement is on the table that would settle both criminal charges and outstanding fire department disciplinary issues for Sycamore Fire Lt. Kurt Mathey, who was charged in May with eavesdropping after he recorded part of a meeting between department brass and union representatives.

An announcement about the tentative agreement is expected today at a 1 p.m. news conference, according to a statement from the City of Sycamore. The agreement is the result of negotiations between Mathey, the firefighters union, the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office and the City of Sycamore.

Mathey attorney Rick Turner, DeKalb County First Assistant State’s Attorney Bill Engerman and Sycamore City Manager Bill Nicklas all declined to comment on a possible agreement until after the news conference.

Under the proposed agreement, Mathey would accept a five-day suspension and would dismiss a grievance filed against the fire department. The city would not seek further discipline against Mathey, according to the statement. Also, the state’s attorney’s office would drop the eavesdropping charge, which is set for a hearing in DeKalb County court Thursday afternoon.

The eavesdropping charge stems from an audio recording he made at a May 1 meeting, using a digital camera. The meeting had been called in the wake of tense labor negotiations; representatives were seeking ways to improve morale in the department. Mathey was among those representing the union at that meeting and was filling in for the secretary.

“Lieutenant Mathey did not realize that the use of the audio-video recording device to record the meeting would violate the Illinois eavesdropping statute and erased the recording after he was asked if he was recording the meeting,” the statement said.

The penalty for eavesdropping ranges from probation to three years in prison. The hearing on the motion before DeKalb County Presiding Judge Kurt Klein is scheduled to continue at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, at which time Klein will make a final ruling, according to the statement.

In addition to being charged criminally in the incident, Mathey was suspended for 30 days from his job. He was contesting that suspension through arbitration under an agreement between the city and the union.

“All parties wish to put this incident behind them and work together to continue to serve the citizens of Sycamore in a diligent and fair manner,” the statement said.

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