Marlin Appoints Former Peoria Fire Chief To Urbana Fire Chief Post

Former Peoria Fire Chief Chuck Lauss is Mayor Diane Marlin’s pick to be the new fire chief for Urbana. City Council members will vote on the mayor’s nomination Monday night.

fire service, including six-and-a-half years at Pekin’s fire chief and two years as Peoria’s fire chief. He stepped down from the Peoria post in January. 

Marlin says Lauss will bring strong communication skills and technical expertise to the department.

“He worked with the city of Peoria, helped develop succession planning, evaluating the strengths, weaknesses of the department. And he’s just had a very long career in fire service”, said Marlin.

The mayor says Lauss will also help the city development long-term goals for the fire department.

“You know, he’s got a lot of experience in helping develop goals and doing strategic planning,” said Marlin. “And I know that’s a high priority for the department. And he’s well known for his communications skills, and that was another very important priority.”

Lauss is slated to succeed Brian Nightlinger, who retired as Urbana fire chief last May. James Eggert has been serving as the city’s interim fire chief.

If approved by the city council, Lauss will start work the day after Labor Day. Council members will also vote on appointing deputy police chief Bryant Seraphim as the interim police chief, to follow Sylvia Morgan, who is retiring. Police Lt. Robert Fitzgerald has been tapped to become interim deputy chief.