Page 10 - February 2017

FOP Board of Directors election information
It’s that time again. Three years have passed and our members are encouraged to partici- pate in FOP Lodge 7’s Board of Directors elec- tion. The week of Feb. 13, election ballots were mailed out and election day will
to hit the target and qualify is a lot easier said than done for some. Annual Firearms Qualification should have started in January but that was not the case. Take this time to reduce some of your anxieties by going over your gun handling skills, shooting fundamen- tals, and dry firing, and make sure your firearm is clean and properly lubricated to prevent a possi- ble malfunction. Remember shooting is a deterio- rating skill. If you are still concerned about your abil- ity to qualify, seek out one of the Department’s firearms instructors. I mentioned to the DOJ, we have some of the best instructors on the range, just not the best equipment
or resources.
The City has gained back its reputation from the 1920s
as being lawless and violent. Unlike the gangsters dis- guised as officers that carried out the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre 88 years ago, we do not have Tommy Guns to spray. Nor could you, as we are the real deal, Chicago’s Finest, and we must be responsible for every shot we take. So visit the range and get back on target.
Medical Report
Since our last issue published, several medical griev- ances were won and settled. One grievance in particular was a return-to-duty issue, where the member was not sure what to do. He called the Lodge for assistance and we filed a grievance that resulted in the member returning to work with back pay and benefits retroactive all the way back to when the contract was violated.
We also filed a class action grievance pertaining to re- tiree healthcare benefits. We discovered that some of our retired members with 20 years of service or more and 55 years of age who left with free healthcare were charged for healthcare if they went back to work full-time for the City (i.e., the City of Chicago Department of Aviation). We immediately took it to the Grievance Committee and ar- bitration was demanded.
If you know of officers who retired with the “55 and out” free healthcare benefit and then went back to work full-time for the City and are now being forced to pay for healthcare, have them contact me at the Lodge. I will keep you informed of the progress. d
FOP is here to “Serve and Protect” you so that you can better “Serve and Protect” the citizens of Chicago. God Bless!
RAY CASIANO, JR.
be on Friday, March 10. Your ballots must be processed by the U.S. Post Of- fice by Thursday, March 9, if you want your vote to count. If your ballot was not
mailed in time to be processed by March 9, or if you spoiled it, you may come in person and vote at the Lodge on Friday, March 10, from 9 a.m. until noon. There is no need to delay; cast your vote as soon as you get your bal- lot and there will be no need to worry.
As I mentioned during our City’s election back in 2015, I would like to see a huge turnout this election to show the City that we are a voting bloc to be reckoned with. The day after the election, we must remember to “Stand in Solidarity or We Will Fall as Individuals.”
Focus on the front sight ...
Focusing on the front sight and smooth trigger squeeze
First Vice President’s
REPORT
10 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2017