Frequently Asked Questions

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You should install at least one smoke detector on each level of your home. A smoke detector should also be installed outside each sleeping area.

Replace batteries twice a year. A good idea is to change the batteries when you change the clocks in the Spring and Fall.

You can contact the Fire Department at 618-482-6800 and we will check for calendar openings.

Smoke and heat from a fire moves upward and then spreads outward. Removing windows and opening up roofs allows the heat and smoke to escape. By doing this it actually prevents more damage to the house. It also enables firefighters to fight the fire more efficiently.

Firefighters are cross-trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. They provide medical support to Paramedics by obtaining patient information, carrying equipment, lifting patients, and administering medical care.

Look for a multi-purpose extinguisher. The rating label will have an ABC rating. This extinguisher can be used on most household fires.

When a vacancy occurs, or a new position is approved, an Opportunity Notice listing both the duties of the position and the qualifications for consideration is posted outside the Personnel Department. The recruitment is mentioned in the weekly East St. Louis Monitor. In addition, most positions are advertised in the Help Wanted section of the Belleville News Democrat. In some cases Monster or Career Builder or professional journals and membership lists are also used.

After the deadline for each recruitment, applications are processed and reviewed and the most qualified candidates are called for interviews. Interviews are conducted with the position’s immediate Supervisor and/or the Department Director and a member from the Personnel Department. The Personnel Department then performs reference checks on all candidates prior to the offer of employment being made. Standard criminal conviction checks and driving record checks (where relevant) are also conducted. All candidates are notified in writing as to the outcome of their applications.

Unfortunately, we do not have space to store unsolicited resumes.

Currently, the Personnel Department handles all recruitments with the exception of two areas: Patrol Officers and Fire Officers, which are handled by the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners (with Personnel administrative support).

The minimum age for most City positions is 18 years old. State of Illinois labor laws require that employees working in any “dangerous” capacity, e.g., handling electrical or mechanical equipment in Public Works, must be 18 years of age.

The City currently has approximately 250 approved full-time positions.

Daily management of city services is provided by the City Manager position. This contractual position is appointed by, and is under the supervision of, the Mayor and City Council. Reporting to the City Manager are Directors for the following Departments:

• Budget
• Building Maintenance
• Community Development
• TIF
• Personnel
• Police
• Public Works

The Police Department consists of Administration, Sergeants, Detectives, Patrol Officers, Telecommunicators, and Auxiliary Police Personnel.

The City offers a generous package of health, vision, dental and life insurance, holidays, vacation are offered to all full-time employees. Comprehensive group health insurance is available to all full-time employees, and may be purchased at full premium cost by part-time employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week. As a municipal entity, all employees working in excess of 1,000 hours per year participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) pension plan, while Patrol Officers and Fireman are included in the Police Pension Plan.

The City of East St. Louis prides itself on conservative staffing using experienced and dedicated employees. Our competitive salaries, excellent benefits and family-oriented work environment generally means low annual turnover. New full-time positions are approved once per year with the annual fiscal budget effective January 1st. An extensive justification of demonstrated need and anticipated service enhancement to the community is required to warrant a budget increase of this nature.

The main headquarters is located at:

301 River Park Drive
East Saint Louis, IL 62201

Our mailing address is:

East Saint Louis Police Department
301 River Park Drive
East Saint Louis, IL 62201

Here are some useful phone numbers:

• Administration: 618-482-6790
• Crime Stoppers: 866-371-8477
• Criminal Investigations Division: 618-482-6721 or 618-482-6724
• Domestic Violence Unit: 618-482-6793
• Emergency: 911
• Police Dispatch: 618-482-6767/6700
• Police Records: 618-482-6781
• Recruitment/Public Relations: 618-482-6724

You may obtain a copy of an accident report by either appearing in person at the East Saint Louis Police Department, or by mailing your request to:

East Saint Louis Police Department
Attention: Records
301 River Park Drive
East Saint Louis, IL 62201

Whether you show up in person or mail in your request, you must provide us with the following information:

• Name of one of the drivers involved (not the insured/owner’s name).
• Date of the accident
• Location of the accident
• Time of the accident
• Report File Number

You may contact the Illinois State Police District 11 at 618-346-3990.

Offense and incident reports may be obtained by appearing in person, or by mailing your request to:

East Saint Louis Police Department
Attention: Records
301 River Park Drive
East Saint Louis, IL 62201

You must provide the following information before we can process your request:

• Victim’s name
• Date of the offense or incident
• Location, if available

The East Saint Louis Police Department does not issue license plates, titles, or registration. You may obtain these items at one of the Secretary of State’s Drivers Services/License Examining Stations. For more information go to the Cyber Drive Illinois website. 

Illinois mandatory insurance law is one of the most significant consumer protection measure books. You must always carry your insurance card in your vehicle and show it upon request of a Law Enforcement officer. Your insurance company will send you an insurance card, usually when your insurance policy is issued or renewed.

Vehicle Affected

Liability insurance is required for all vehicles that must display license plates and are being driven, including cars, vans, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, trucks and buses. Trailers are not required to have liability insurance. If you have additional questions about Illinois Mandatory Insurance Law you may contact:

Office of the Secretary of State
Mandatory Insurance Division
429 Howlett Building
Springfield, IL 62756-7000
Phone: 217-524-4946
Cyber Drive Illinois Website

To obtain a copy of a criminal or arrest history, appear in person with your photo identification and your date of birth. There is a charge for a criminal or arrest history, and it will only include charges and arrests from the town of East Saint Louis.

The person will be brought before the judge, who will explain the defendant’s legal rights. The court will sign an order granting bail and the conditions of the defendant’s release. The judge may order the defendant to have no contact with the victim. Victims cannot change the court order.

Victims cannot drop charges. Domestic violence charges are brought and presented by the State of Illinois. Only the Prosecutor’s Office or the Judge may drop the charges. Charges are brought not only to protect current victims but also to protect possible future victims.

The maximum jail penalty is 11 months and 29 days. The actual sentence will depend on the facts of the case and any prior criminal record. Regardless of any jail time imposed, the defendant will generally be required to participate in a Domestic Violence Counseling Program.

If the abuser is on probation, you should report any new incidents to the East Saint Louis Police Department. New charges can be filed and probation revoked. If you are afraid to call from home, use a friend’s phone or call from work.

The Violence Prevention Center at 618-482-6793, can help you prepare a request for an Order of Protection. Project Heaven at 618-274-7307 can also help in preparing a request for an Order of Protection. Issued by a Judge, it will forbid the abuser from bothering you, If the offender violates the order, jail penalties are enforced. If you have filed for divorce, you should seek the order of protection in civil court. Project H.E.A.V.E.N. also offers Counseling, Referrals, Courtroom Advocacy, and Support Groups.

Court is held at the Saint Clair County Court Building, Number 10 Public Square, Belleville, Illinois. For additional information contact the County Court Clerk’s office at 618-277-6600.

The East Saint Louis Police Department works in concert with Social Service Agencies to address Domestic Violence. A primary objective is to provide the tools and information necessary to help victims escape abusive situations by prosecuting their abusers. We urge you to contact the Police Department at 618-482-6721.

The Clerk’s office has all City ordinances on file. You may come into the office and search the Code of Ordinances or view the Code of Ordinances online.

The City Council meets every 1st and 2nd Thursday at 6 p.m. on the 1st Thursday and 7 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

You may obtain Freedom of Information request forms from the Clerk’s office or online. The City will respond within 5 days of the request.

The City Council Clerk prepares the Committee and Council Agendas and can answer your questions at the start of the following day after posting of the agendas on the first and second Tuesday of each month for regular scheduled committee and council meetings. Pursuant to Illinois Compiled Statutes agendas for committee and council meetings are posted 48 hours prior to the meetings being held. The agenda is posted outside of the City Council Offices on the 2nd floor-Room 202 and throughout City Hall. You may also view the Agenda on our website.

You may view the agenda and/or minutes on our website.

Most public information can be obtained upon request. For larger, more complicated requests, please contact the City Clerk and fill out a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) form. You will receive a reply within 7 business days (or 14 days if more time is needed to research and gather a large volume of material). The City Clerk can be reached by:

• Phone: 618-482-6818
• Fax: 618-482-6818
• Email the City Clerk

Completed forms may be faxed to the Clerk's Office to expedite processing of your request please confirm by telephone that your faxed request was received.

Contact the City Council's Office:

• Phone: 618-482-6670
• Fax: 618-482-6671

Contact the City Clerk's Office. We keep records beginning in 1835 and we can search by subject, date or by document.

The City Council has provided a permanent placement at the end of the Committee and Council Meetings for citizens to address their concerns to the Council. Citizens wishing to address the Council should contact the City Council Office at 618-482-6670, 48 hours before a scheduled meeting. The Council advises citizens that issues brought before the City Council should be germane to City Government.

Note: If the item pertains to a City service, the Council prefers that you contact the appropriate department within the City Administration first. If you are having difficulty reaching a department, the City Council's Office can assist you. If you are unable to obtain assistance, you can contact the City Manager.

The City Council meets to conduct city business on the 1st and 2nd Thursdays of each month beginning at 6 p.m. on the 1st Thursday and 7 p.m. on the second Thursday. Notices of any special meetings are posted at least 48 hours prior. Meetings are held in Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.