Page 10 - February 2016

RAY

CASIANO, JR.

No need to look far
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT
F
B_rothersa nds isters:Isaluteyou,assomanyof weal th o f kno wled ge and a cle ar und e rstanding of how to

you continue to pin on the “star” with pride and address crime in our city.

leave your families behind to serve and protect
Mr.Mayor,it’stimetopromotefromwithin.Thepickings

our city during the most challenging times our
may be slim, but the Department still has a few good bosses

Department has faced since the late 1960s. As I left who are able to lead, pick-up morale and maybe even
write this article, the city continues to search for
improve your approval ratings. The citizens of Chicago are q

a new superintendent. Whether it’s Interim
tiredofbeingblownawayintheWindyCity.

Superintendent John Escalante or someone else,

i tg oes withou ts ayin gth enew su pe rin tendent MedicalCorner
will have his or her hands full.
T h e c i t y h a s a k n a c k f o r b e i n g p e n n y - w i s e a n d p o u n d - f o o l -

Contrary to what the city would like our citizens to believe, ish, as was the case in January during medical mediation.
the union is not the problem. The problems are found with Recently, the Lodge presented strong arguments for a few
some of our politicians who continue to pander to the interest medical grievances to be granted IOD. During mediation, the

groups and create political pressure on the Department. CAommittee of Finance refused certification, which surprised

Many of our aldermen don’t understand what it takes to be me sin ce the g rievan ces were solid. Aft er se veral follo w- ups

the police, much less how to operate a police department. and the city spending taxpayers’ money on unnecessary liti-
M
gation, the grievances were granted and the contract was
We have seen the results of the last two superintendents.
made whole. Although mediation is a more cost-efficient
Neither of them improved morale; instead they attempted to
method of resolving grievances, I don’t think the city’s attorney
reinvent the wheel of policing and created a vacuum of lead- ersh ipande xpe rience. Man yofthegoodbo sseswhocam eup the rank s b ailed out du ring that time, tak in g with th em a
got the memo on this one.

124 of the CB A, offic ers who retire on o r after age 55 and
10 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MARCH 2016
Unde r theter msof theM O Ufou ndonp ag es122throu gh
before age 60 are entitled to free healthcare benefits until they
reach the Medicare-eligible age of 65. The city has taken the position that if an officer who takes advantage of this benefit has a dependent eligible for full Medicare coverage, the dependent’s eligibility under the city’s plan is terminated. I filed a class action grievance on behalf of all affected members. I then presented this issue to the Grievance Com- mittee, and it will be going to arbitration.
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As always, if you have any questions concerning the Medical Service Section, feel free to call the Lodge at 312-733- 7776 and ask for Maggie O’Grady or me.
Acknowledgements
Thank God Officers Pasillas and Gomez from the 7th District were not tied down filling out ISRs on the morning of Jan. 31 when they responded to a home invasion in West Englewood. They were confronted with an armed offender and a gun battle ensued. The offender was fatally shot. Due to the officers’ action a family was saved. Their actions were heroic, to say the least.
A salute also goes out to Officer Andrea Walker for her quick response at O’Hare Airport on Feb. 22. Officer Walker responded to a report of an unconscious woman, performed CPR and saved her life. d
FOP is here to serve and protect you, so that you can better serve and protect the citizens of Chicago.
God Bless!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day