Firefighter charged in fight works for W. Dundee, Carpentersville

A firefighter accused of punching a woman in the face during a Christmas party over the weekend near St. Charles, works part-time for both the Carpentersville and the West Dundee fire departments, officials confirmed Tuesday.

West Dundee officials have removed Jason S. Elders, 39, of St. Charles, from duty until "this gets cleared up," Village Manager Joseph Cavallaro said.

"It's just always surprising to have one of your employees involved in this, but you need to let the process run its course," Cavallaro said.

An official in neighboring Carpentersville confirmed an internal investigation is pending.

"It's a personnel matter, we're going to investigate it," Public Safety Director Al Popp said, declining to say whether Elders is still working for the fire department.

A disagreement broke out Sunday at a party being held inside a garage on Townhall Road in unincorporated Kane County, said Lt. Patrick Gengler of the Kane County Sheriff's Department.

Witnesses told police that Elders hit a 37-year-old woman repeatedly, according to police.

"At some point, he was on top of her punching her in the face," Gengler said. "It doesn't appear that there was some sort of prior relationship."

He was charged with misdemeanor battery.

The woman was later taken to an area hospital and treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.

Elders' next court date is Jan. 10 at the Kane County Judicial Center.