No wrongdoing found in Elgin firefighter beer flap

A state official says there was no wrongdoing, but the City of Elgin may want to hire a mediator in the dispute between a city council member and the fire department over beer. State Ombudsman Bill Angrick was called upon to see if there was any wrongdoing by councilwoman Jean Roach after she reported the Elgin volunteer firefighters were keeping beer in the firehouse refrigerator. Angrick says he found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Roach, and says the beer should never have been kept in the fire station. The Elgin city attorney says a private investigator would have to be brought in if the city wants to continue with the matter. The firefighters removed the beer from the fridge, and threatened to quit if Roach didn’t resign. Roach has refused to resign, and the firefighters have backed down on threats to quit.