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On October 20, 2025, Robert Baish, President of the Plainfield Fire Protection District Board of Trustees, addressed the residents of Plainfield regarding an internal matter involving former Chief Jon Stratton and his management of district finances.
Baish stated that the board had been dealing with this issue for nearly two and a half years. He explained that law enforcement agencies and prosecutors had completed their work on the case, allowing him to share details with the public.
"It brings us no joy to disclose this information about Mr. Stratton’s conduct while he served as Chief of the Plainfield Fire Protection District (PFPD). We know that in many respects, Mr. Stratton served our community honorably and is beloved by many residents and the men and women whom he led," Baish said. "However, we also know that this matter has been the subject of much speculation, and we are pleased to finally be able to set the record straight."
According to Baish, in May 2023, the board became aware of potential financial misconduct by then-Chief Stratton. Stratton admitted to directing tens of thousands of dollars intended for district use into a personal account. The funds were proceeds from selling district assets such as vehicles and equipment donated for training purposes.
Baish outlined the timeline: On May 23, 2023, trustees learned that proceeds from sold donated vehicles were deposited into a personal bank account rather than district accounts. The board met with Stratton on May 25, when he acknowledged selling vehicles at auction and depositing proceeds into a private trust account in his name.
Shortly after admitting this, Stratton wrote a check for $31,350 to cover items sold at auction. The district did not deposit these funds but instead gave them to investigators.
A special meeting was held on May 30, 2023; later that day Stratton resigned as chief. The board notified local police who referred the case to Illinois State Police Public Integrity Unit. Following an investigation, findings were presented to Will County State’s Attorney.
"Last week, we were informed by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office that it would not file any criminal charges against Mr. Stratton, assuming Stratton reimbursed the District $54,250," Baish stated.
He added: "As you would expect, this issue has weighed heavily on our Board and the men and women who serve you every day and on every call for service. It was difficult not sharing information publicly given that we were asked not to make any public comments in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation."
Baish said new policies have now been implemented regarding donations of vehicles and equipment to prevent similar issues in future operations.
"Finally, I am pleased that the Plainfield Fire Protection District and its Board of Trustees have managed this matter in a way that reflects our values and our commitment to integrity and professionalism. When we learned of the wrongdoing, we took immediate action, notified law enforcement, and assisted investigators during their lengthy and thorough investigation," Baish said.
Residents with questions can contact the Board via email at plfd_fire@plainfieldfpd.com.
