Hello all,

The Department has now made it common practice to cancel days off as well as go to 12 hour shifts. Both of these measures are fine for a once in a while situation, not every week or even every other week. This is putting an enormous amount of stress physically as well as emotionally. We are judged by our politicians, media, and citizens long before anyone knows the full story. This again adds pressure. There are a few benefits the Department has given us to combat this stress both mentally and physically. A couple phone numbers EAP 312-743-0378 and Police Chaplains Ministry 312-738-2831, both are more than happy to lend an ear to those that need someone to listen to them. During the recent contract negotiation Mayor Lightfoot stated “When you’re tired and you’re having to make life or death decisions, you’re not going to be at your best if you are working a schedule that essentially is around the clock with really no breaks. So that’s something that I think we have responsibility for. One of the things that I am a champion for is making sure the Department does a heck of a lot more and a better job around Officer wellness. Well you can’t be well if you don’t have time to recover from one of the most tough and traumatic jobs that there are, which is to be a Police Officer in an urban environment like Chicago.” In her own words the Mayor states your health and well-being are of the utmost importance to her. Therefore, if you feel you are not capable of “having to make literally life or death decisions” due to basically “working a schedule that essentially is around the clock with really no breaks”, you need to take advantage of the resources or benefits available to you. Whether it be through EAP, the Chaplain’s Unit, or the Medical. You need to be able to function at 100%. I am in no way advocating or suggesting and never will, that someone hits the Medical just to hit the Medical, that is a violation of the policy and General Orders. Misuse of the Medical can and will result in disciplinary action. But if you are not capable of performing properly you owe it to not only yourself, your fellow co-workers, but also to the Mayor and every citizen of this city to seek a remedy to the ailment. Please keep yourselves and those you hold dear safe in these times and at all times.

Stay safe,
Jim

Since we were forced to cancel the March General meeting, we will be
having a General Meeting this month as a make up. The meeting will be on
the third Thursday as normal 20 Aug 2020 and be held at Noon, the same time
as the March meeting would have been. Also since the Golf Outing was also
canceled the raffle drawing will be held at this meeting. So there is still
time to get your raffle tickets in.

Thank you for everything that you have been doing out there and please
stay safe,
Jim

HONORING

CHICAGO POLICE SERGEANT
JAMES L. SEVERIN, #1319

CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER
ANTHONY N. RIZZATO, #12407

On 17 July 1970, Sergeant James L. Severin and Officer Anthony N. Rizzato, volunteering for a newly formed ‘Walk and Talk’ program in Cabrini Green, were both killed by sniper fire

On 18 July 2020, at 1100 a.m., a 50th Anniversary Memorial Tribute will be held outside of the 018 District to honor the lives of these two members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Following, there will be an informal luncheon concluding the event at the 018 District. Current social distancing guidelines will be in effect during these times.

All members, active and retired along with their families and like supporters are invited to attend this memorial tribute to honor both of ‘Chicago’s Finest.’ The family is inviting individuals that were working that day, had any information, involvement or personal memories of the individual officers or incident that they would like to share, even if unable to attend, to please contact Jeanne Severin, (niece Sgt. James Severin) who welcomes all personal remembrances. Contact: cell 847 772-4291 or email greyhound2jean@gmail.com

In addition, the family is hereby coordinating this event with the current Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, (CPMF) “Get Behind The Vest” initiative to help provide additional replacement ballistic vests for all members of the Chicago Police Department. There will be a specific ‘Go Fund Me’ page associated with this event with all proceeds to benefit the vest program for our active members. The family would like to take this opportunity to continue to show their support to all our members, “paying it forward” in their name and all of those who likewise have not forgotten and supported them over these many decades.

Special Go Fund Me Link: https://gf.me/u/ydkjgv

Date/Location Information: Saturday, 18 July 2020 at 11:00 a.m., Outside, in front of the 018 Chicago Police District, 1160 North Larrabee (at Division) St., Chicago, IL, 60610.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Unfortunately due to the current COVID situation and restrictions that are in place the Board has voted to cancel this year’s golf outing. This decision did not come lightly, it was only after careful review and cost analysis. We had a very limited interest with only 44 participants signed up as of 22 June. Also due to the COVID pandemic many of our sponsors had to close their doors for business or in the very least had to scale back tremendously. We could not in good conscious ask the businesses to donate to, or sponsor the outing when they themselves need help to provide for themselves and their employees.  Additionally the course had restrictions in place that they have to follow which in turn we would have to comply with. There would be no dinner and no shotgun start and most would have had to walk and use pull carts, which the course had a limited amount of.  I apologize to all who love coming to the outing and seeing and conversing with old workmates.  We look forward to seeing you all at the 2021 Golf Outing which we hope will be bigger and better than ever. Please stay safe and have a great summer.

Fellow Sergeants,

The Arbitrator has issued his Award on our successor contract. As you all know our contract has been expired since 01 July 2016, this new contract will run to 30 June 2022.

It is important to have an understanding of the Arbitrator’s Award that it be viewed within the context of what we hoped to get out of the Interest Arbitration. An Interest Arbitration is not properly viewed as a complete win or loss. The Unions submitted proposals to add or enhance our benefits but also to keep the existing benefits from being removed.

This contract negotiation began with a different President, Mayor, Superintendent, State’s Attorney and Attorney General. The Union itself also saw changes with a new President and Contract Negotiation Committee members. These negotiations progressed through the McDonald shooting, the subsequent protests and anti-police demonstrations, the Consent Decree, a global pandemic, and ever-increasing anti-police sentiment which continues to this day. What didn’t change was the goal of protecting what we had.

The following is a summary of the changes.

The City wanted to basically gut all of our disciplinary protections. Removal of the affidavit requirement, not providing the complainants identity before questioning, accepting anonymous complaints, unlimited retention and use of past not sustained CL/CR’s. The Union fought to keep each and every one. Unfortunately the Arbitrator ruled anonymous complaints will be allowed to be investigated through an override process. We feel that he overstepped his authority on that and as soon as the Contract is ratified we will be going to court to have a Judge rule on it. The ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court made our file retention issue moot, as they ruled for indefinite retention. And our Contract will now read as FOP’s that they have 7 years to be able to use not sustained CL/CR’s. We kept the requirement for the sworn affidavit and that the complainant is identified before the interview / interrogation.

Retiree health care was an important issue first to keep and second to attempt to get more persons eligible. We fought to have those that were max’ed out (29 and a day) but not yet 55 years old to be eligible. We put on several good arguments but the Arbitrator could not get past the added drain it would create on the already extremely underfunded pension fund. The Unions attempted to hold the cost of Retiree Health Care at the current 2% for 55 to 59 year olds and 0% for 60 and over. The Arbitrator ruled an increase the same as the active Sergeants incurred, 1.5% additional. So for 55-59 year olds the cost will be 3.5% and those 60 but under 63 it will now be 1.5% for those that retire at 63 it will still be 0%. For those that are contemplating retiring there will be a window to go out under the old contract. For those that are 60 and older you have to have a retirement date less 90 days after ratification of the new contract. (can’t be 90 or more days after). For 55-59 year olds there are 2 time limits. You need to submit an approved retirement par within 21 days after ratification of the new contract with an effective retirement date 60 to 90 days after date of ratification.

Although the Arbitrator disliked the LMCC/Wellness plan he stated he did not have the authority to let us exit. This is also an item that will be looked at legally.

Furlough days will now actually be days and not hours.
8 hour tour will get 25 vacation days
8.5 hour tour will get 24 vacation days
10 hour tour will get 20 vacation days

I’ll cover a few other issues from the Award. We will now be able to sell back 300 hours. If you currently are receiving direct deposit you will need to sign up for green slips. The City successfully fought and won to change our pay dates. We will now be paid on the 7th and 22nd instead of the 1st and 16th. The City argued that all the other City Departments are on this pay cycle and that to be allowed to update their payroll software it was a needed change. The date of implantation has not been finalized yet. We will be receiving an additional $150 for Uniform Allowance, this will not be retroactive.

Previously if you were facing separation you had to make a choice fight it at the Police Board and being fired and losing all your comp time or resign and be allowed to keep the comp time. This was not something that we felt was correct. We successfully argued that the comp time you rightfully earned should be given to you no matter how you leave the job.

With today’s environment of vilification of the Police keeping the protections was paramount. With the exception of the investigation of anonymous complaints, which the City openly admitted to doing already it was pretty much status quo.

Thanks and have a great day,

Jim