From the Daily Northwestern: When then-Evanston (Ill.) Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky retired last May, he wanted a vacation and a chance to see "what it's like to be bored." But when Berkowsky came out of retirement and returned to service April 4, this time as the Winnetka (Ill.) Fire Department's chief, some residents questioned the integrity of his actions.

Berkowsky, who had worked with the Evanston fire department for 29 years, has been receiving an annual pension of about $100,000 from the city since his retirement. His new job is reportedly paying him more than $120,000, and this has led some Evanston residents to suggest that Berkowsky is "double dipping" or taking advantage of the system. After he serves 10 years on the job in Winnetka, he would be eligible for a second pension, Winnetka Village Manager Rob Bahan told TribLocal two weeks ago.

While not illegal, Berkowsky's case brings to light an ongoing debate over how public officials' wages and pensions should fare in times of economic crisis. Evanston already changed its pension policy for firemen hired after Jan. 1, 2011, reducing their future pensions. However, firefighters like Berkowsky, who have served decades on the force and paid into their pensions with every paycheck, will have the benefits originally promised to them upon retirement. Read the entire article here.