In a recent development, excerpts from the Chicago Tribune highlighted a significant legal battle concerning the pension benefits for the family of Kevin Hauber, a 51-year-old Buffalo Grove firefighter who tragically passed away from colon cancer. The case now rests in the hands of three appellate court judges who are reviewing the decision to grant Hauber's widow and their four children his full pension benefits.
The Village of Buffalo Grove has challenged this decision, appealing to the Second District Appellate Court to reverse the award of a 100% line of duty death pension benefit to the Hauber family. This decision was initially made by the village's Firefighters' Pension Board in 2018 and later supported by a Lake County Circuit Court judge earlier this year.
Village officials expressed concerns that granting the full pension benefit could set a costly legal precedent. They argued that while Kevin Hauber served honorably for 23 years, including responding to around 127 fire-related incidents, there wasn't sufficient evidence to meet the legal criteria for a line of duty death pension.
During the hearing, Justice Joseph Birkett pointed out that the lower court thoroughly examined Hauber's medical records, revealing no family history of colon cancer, confirmed by genetic tests. He noted that Hauber, at 51 years old and otherwise healthy, had no known genetic predispositions and was regularly exposed to toxic substances as part of his firefighting duties.
The village's attorney emphasized that Hauber never formally reported any incidents involving toxic chemical exposure during his service. On the other hand, the Hauber family’s legal team countered by referencing the village’s official job description, which explicitly mentions exposure to carcinogenic materials.
Currently, the Hauber family is eligible for a surviving spouse benefit amounting to 75% of the late firefighter's final salary, approximately $76,161 per year. However, the Buffalo Grove Firefighters Pension Board added an extra $25,000 annually, concluding that his firefighting career likely contributed to his illness. Village authorities estimate that upholding this decision could cost them an additional $1.7 million over time.
This case presents a complex intersection between public service recognition and legal standards, with significant financial implications for both the village and the Hauber family. The judges are expected to deliberate further, balancing the emotional weight of honoring a fallen hero against the financial burdens such decisions impose on local governments.
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