The first phase of the remodel will emphasize gender separation and firefighter health.

The remodel is "long overdue," Fire Chief Bob Sivak said. The building, constructed in the 1930, originally hosted City Hall as well as the fire and police departments. It became a dedicated fire station in 1981.

"When the new fire hall was built, it was provided with a dormitory environment for our firefighters at the time. But now, so much has changed," Sivak said. "We're a diverse fire department. We have both male and female firefighters. A dormitory type environment isn't necessarily the best."

Matthew J. Cage, 34, is charged with aggravated driving under the influence, according to a statement from Illinois State Police.  

Cage was driving a 2007 Chevrolet SUV about 3:10 a.m. on northbound I-57 when it rear-ended a Markham firetruck that was stopped on the left shoulder near Kedzie to assist with an earlier crash, state police said.  

The passenger in the SUV, 32-year-old Andrew Lee, was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died just over an hour later, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He lived in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood on the Far South Side.

Wayne Township Fire Department says just before 2 p.m. Monday, IMPD was attempting to stop a driver who was drifting on and off the street on Girls School Road near Ben Davis High School. The crew of Engine 85 was on their way to a training even when they noticed the situation and stepped in to help.  

As the truck approached, the crew stopped their fire engine in its path and set the parking brake. The fire engine took a low-speed impact, which brought the truck to a complete stop before it could hit another vehicle or pedestrian.