The impact caused the Escape to strike a residence on Bailey’s 2500 block. The house sustained structural damage.

Both people in the Escape and one firefighter were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

Mundelein's tower ladder truck is not past its prime and doesn't need replacement, but the move will provide the department and village with options, according to Chief Deputy Fire Chief Bill Lark.

"It makes sense. It's a smart move," he said. "Our ladder truck is not on its last leg -- it's a cost saver for the village of Mundelein."

The agreement depends on Mundelein's ability to sell, lease or trade its ladder truck, he said.

Under terms of the five-year pact, Mundelein would pay $14,000 for the first year with an annual increase of 3 percent thereafter. Libertyville's ladder tower truck and trained personnel would be needed about five times a year. The villages provide automatic mutual aid for structure fires through a separate 2015 agreement.

Gov. Henry McMaster confirmed the allocation in a Nov. 8 letter to Mayor John Hansen, saying a grant agreement would be forwarded in coming days.

Town Administrator Heather Fields said the money will be used to purchase a replacement cab pumper that dates back to 1991. It has an estimated cost of $497,000. There is no time frame on when the vehicle will be put into service, but the town is preparing bid documents.

The old station, built in 1981 and located around the corner on State Road 19, was a simple square building with cramped living and working areas.

“It was tight. We had to park the truck outside, that’s how cramped we were,” said Fire Chief Jim Dickerson.

The old building was originally a school board maintenance building and later became a fire station.

Built specifically as a fire station, the new building can withstand hurricane-force winds and includes an emergency generator and energy-efficient LED lighting.

“It’s a hardened facility,” Dickerson said. “It should be a 50-year building. Now, we don’t have to evacuate during a storm.”

With the emergency generator, firefighters can man the facility if power goes out. The comfort level for firefighters is also greater with large bedrooms, a day room including comfortable recliners and a full kitchen.