Page 5 - December 2015

and acceptable Sergeant promotional process. Arguing against the Department when it comes to promotions is nothing new and will more than likely continue well past each of our lifespans. Whenever we think we have a process agreed to, we wake up to a promotional list that slaps the face of everyone sitting in rank order on those very lists. As sad as it is to admit, we have come to expect litigation related to promotions. Historically, the promotion process has been so inconsistent that we actually wind up being surprised when a pro- motion happens and no litigation follows. Again, how sad it that?
never forget and always appreciate. Thank you to everyone involved in making it such a memorable evening for us.
Once again, immediately after a promotion list of 13 merit selec- tions came out, the Lodge was in court. Having some idea that this 100-percent merit list was in the works, the Lodge prepared the nec- essary language and had it on stand-by so that we would be able to react the moment the official announcement came out. Within a matter of hours, the Lodge filed a Complaint for Declaratory Relief as well as an Emergency Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).
Even though there remains only one scheduled Springfield day left this calendar year, the Casino-related Senate Bill 777 is not as dead as some might think. Our bill remains in what some have described as being in “limbo” and is two-thirds complete. The Senate President’s motion to reconsider has kept our bill on the shelf, where it waits for a more collaborative environment between both political parties. We are hopeful that time comes during the next year when the 99th General Assembly and its remaining legisla- tive submissions run through the entire 2016 Session. We were in Springfield in mid-November, will return in December and go back as often as needed to get the best results possible. As legislative issues progress, we will report back with any and all movement.
On Oct. 30, the Lodge appeared before Judge Rita Novak to try to stop this round of 100-percent merit promotions from taking place. Although Judge Novak denied the motion for our TRO and allowed a 100-percent merit group to be promoted, she did agree that we raised a valid issue demonstrating that previous promotions to ser- geant included no more than 30-percent merit. However, even though Judge Novak found that no future promotions to Sergeant would suffer enough “irreparable harm,” she did state that any demonstrated harm that might occur in the future (such as seniority issues, changes to one’s rate of pay) could be resolved by the court without the need for a TRO. The Lodge’s complaint is pending, and if successful, it could award back pay, back benefits and back sen- iority to those who should have been promoted in this and/or any future rounds off this particular sergeant list.
Holiday and Family
The City had until Nov. 30 to file an answer to our complaint. The Judge will make a final determination about whether the process is being circumvented in regards to promoting sergeants by not com- plying with the historic 30-percent merit. As many of our active members already know, the department indicated that a new round of promotions will take place mid-December. Everyone who will be promoted in this latest group has been notified to take any remain- ing furlough before their pre-service sergeant’s classes begin. The merit percentages for this class appear to be back in compliance. As always, when new developments or changes concerning the pro- motions occur, the Lodge will immediately communicate them to the membership.
Family members read the same headlines and comments in the editorials as you do. Family members watch the same news broad- casts and hear the stories that involve police. Whether the broadcast is addressing an agency that is hours from Chicago, or whether the incident involves one of our own, they constantly worry about you and they regularly defend you. Their friends will question them about your demeanor at work. Others will even question them about your career choice and how could they have married a woman or man who is the police. As Police Officers, we come to expect the unsettling looks, disrespectful comments, as well as the out-and-out hateful and challenging behavior that comes our way for no reason other than a wearing a uniform with a badge. The dif- ference is that we signed up for this, and they didn’t. As the rest of society continues to move away from all of us, we should take a moment to appreciate those who continually stick by and always support us.
Easter Seals’ Recognition
We want to take a moment to publicly thank our longtime friends and partners at Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago for recognizing the 100-Year Anniversary of the Fraternal Order of Police during their Annual Gala Celebration on Nov. 7. We were honored to be able to represent Chicago Lodge 7 and stand alongside National FOP Easter Seals Trustee Rocky Nowaczyk, Illinois State Lodge President Chris Southwood, Illinois Troopers Lodge 41 President Joe Moon and Cook County Sheriffs Police Lodge 4 Treasurer Guy Santillo as we were presented with beautifully inscribed crystal plates of appre- ciation (see photo on page 41).
December Magazine Theme
Prior to addressing all of those in attendance, we were taken aback some by an extremely moving video that shared the Lodge’s recent hiring of our two young adult Easter Seals employees. The short video showed Bella and Michael hard at work folding and tag- ging the apparel, then “Thanking FOP” and finally receiving their first-ever paychecks. To say that we were totally caught off guard would be a huge understatement. Not only were we completely unaware of the video having been recorded, we were also kept totally in the dark that it would be viewed by so many and at such a major Easter Seals event. The 100th-Anniversary recognition, the crystal plates and mostly the “Bella and Michael Video” made the Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago 2016 Gala an event that we will
As you read the rest of the pages of this month’s magazine, please spend an extra moment or two on the stories from members who took the time to send something in to the publishers for inclusion with our theme of “giving back.” Similar to last month, when we wanted to include their military experiences, we asked members to recall when they “gave back” to someone less advantaged or to their community through coaching, counseling, lecturing, etc. Although we have limited pages to present what our Officers do each and every day, and without fanfare or reward, the stories that are includ- ed only touch the surface of what regularly goes on in the streets and neighborhoods of the City. The women and men of the Chicago Police Department ALWAYS go above and beyond. It is not about the recognition, it is just who they are.
On Behalf of Everyone in the FOP Office and from my family to yours: Happy Holidays.
Be safe and God Bless the Police.
Quick Legislative Update
As we all prepare for this year’s holiday season, everyone working at the Lodge offices wishes the very best to every member, as well as to their immediate and extended family. These are difficult times for the women and men of the law enforcement community; nationally and here in Chicago. Not only are we in constant communication with our membership, we are constantly reminded by them about how the overall negativity against police is wearisome and draining. They deal with constant over-examination, as well as unfair critiques by some of the very people they serve and protect. As dif- ficult it is for our members to have to deal with, we ask each of them to take a moment to realize the residual fallout that these unprece- dented career-related criticisms have on your entire family.
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2015 5