The following articles
appear in the current monthly FOP newsletter.
By Mark Donahue
Detective Wally Rolniak
On February 4th, Detective Wally Rolniak of Riverdale Police Department was killed in the line of duty. Wally and other family members were active in their FOP Lodges and the appreciation for them was evidenced by the turnout to pay final tribute to Wally. Many of our members had the opportunity to have worked with Detective Rolniak in investigations that have crossed jurisdictional lines in the south suburbs. Their attendance at the wake and funeral services re-confirmed the proud solidarity among us in this profession. Chicago was well represented and should be especially proud of the assistance that was given coordinating these services, of which there was little or no experience among the departments in the southland. The members of our Preventive Programs and Neighborhood Relations Section especially Commander Frank Trigg and Sgt. John Dougherty assisted Riverdale with the planning. These gentlemen have the dubious distinction of being the experts in this area and did not hesitate to share that expertise with our brothers in their time of need.
Contract Negotiations
Contract negotiations have improved since the Lodge Negotiating Team informed the City that they were disappointed in the pace and progress of the negotiations in January. At this time, there has been progress made in key areas of the process. All of the issues that were covered by the Seniority Sub-committee have been resolved. Although, what had historically been referred to as, “tentative agreements” have not been signed off on, as is this negotiating teams position, the proposals considered in the seniority Sub-committee have been adjudicated with the following results:
---Tactical and Gang Tactical Officers in districts will be referred to as one in the same for reference purposes and if Tact Officers are involuntarily removed from their positions they can be placed on the watch they would have been able to bid to by seniority;
---District Commanders are limited to 2 staff personnel and 5 Community Policing personnel;
---All Detectives, Gang Specialists and Youth Officers will be considered as detectives and will bid for unit duty assignments, furloughs and watches as a group. Although the titles of Gang Specialists and Youth Officers will be eliminated from the budget, their numbers as well as those of current Detectives will not be diminished but will be maintained all as Detectives;
---There will now be a penalty for the Department for improperly filling recognized bid openings up to a maximum of 50 hours of comp. time per incident.
There has been significant progress in other proposals, most of them non-financial issues, that we hope to decide on in the near future with the City. It is our hope that by the time you read this newsletter, you will have been informed of these changes. Keep in mind though that these changes are not being signed off on individually as has been the case in the past, but will be signed off on as an entire package when all proposals have been addressed to the benefit of our members and the City. During these negotiations there has been some very disturbing activity being conducted by Command level personnel in this Department, which I am happy to say has ceased. This Lodge is the Collective Bargaining Representative for members of this Department below the rank of Sgt. and only the Lodge can negotiate over issue of wages, hours and working conditions. No member can negotiate for themselves or as a group. This actually was happening in a Unit and when Lodge Representatives went out to inform those members of the damage that could be done to the Collective Bargaining Process as a whole, the great majority understood. The idea of gaining benefits for all in this Union as opposed to those with special interests was rebuffed by one individual as he responded to the idea of benefiting other Department members when he said “we don’t give a #### about those guys”. This member’s ignorance and abhorrence of the process will always be recognized by the “one way” sign he so proudly wears.
Pension Update
There has been some concern over a newspaper article in which one of our most ardent supporters in Springfield, Sen. Tony Munoz, who is also a Chicago Police Officer and member of this Lodge, removed from consideration a bill which raised our Pension Maximum to 80% and based it on the best 12 months instead of 48 months in the last 10 years. This action has no impact on the identical legislation that we proposed in the beginning of the 93rd General Assembly and that legislation is still alive in Springfield. The Legislative Committee has directed that in light of the recent increased pension benefits that were obtained and retroactive to 1 January ‘04, greater priority is to be given to obtaining the 3% compounding of the COLA increases that our retirees get after attaining the age of 55. This effort has been identified as garnering a benefit for those who realized none in the Pension Bill passed in January.
Sworn Affidavit Bill
The City has filed a motion to suppress in Circuit Court on the issue of our “Sworn Affidavit” bill on the basis of language in the Uniform Police Officers Disciplinary Act, which they feel precludes their responsibility to abide by the new requirement. March 25th has been set for the date for oral arguments on this issue of great importance to our membership. Keep in mind that they recognize the need to have those sworn affidavits signed for Probationary Police Officers and Exempt Members and are abiding by the requirement for allegations against those members of the department.
Political Action
The Political Action Committee met on January 29th for the purpose of conducting interviews for those candidates running for the offices of Judge, State Senate and Representative, Clerk of the Circuit Court and States Attorney. Only those individuals who requested the endorsement of this Lodge were invited to attend. The Committee conducted a total of 32 interviews of candidates that day and most notably, although having little competition in their respective offices, Speaker of the House Mike Madigan and Cook County States Attorney Dick Devine insisted on being interviewed. This process speaks volumes for the level of importance that the candidates place on coveting the endorsement of Chicago Lodge 7. It is a process that is unmatched by any other group representing Law Enforcement locally and should be a major contributing factor to our members and their families in giving due consideration to our endorsements. The list of candidates endorsed by Chicago Lodge 7 is contained in this newsletter. Additionally, The Illinois State Lodge conducted its selection process for candidates currently running in the state-wide U.S. Senate race as well as for State and State appellate court justices. On February 16th, the State Lodge conducted a press conference here at Lodge 7 to announce its endorsement of Dan Hynes for U. S. Senate. Again the process for the State Lodge is as extensive as ours which also should bear a greater level of consideration on the part of our members. As with our selections, the State Lodge’s Legislative Committee recommendations needed to be approved by the State Board of Directors and that was a unanimous decision for State Comptroller Hynes. The endorsements that are posted herein are for the March Primary Election only and the Committee asks for our members support.
Vice
Presidents’ Article
On March 27, 2004 the FOP Stars and the Chicago Fire hockey teams will once again be playing for the Chicago Cup. This is a fun family event to which you can bring your kids to the United Center and watch these two teams square off. It is always a great time and the kids get to be close to the action. The gates open at 10:30am and the game starts at 11:00am. Tickets are $5.00 per person and kids under 12 are free, but they still need a free ticket to enter the United Center. Tickets are available at the United Center box office on the day of the game and are available at most district community policing offices. All proceeds will be going to the F.O.P. Disabled Fund and the Chicago Fire Fighter’s Union Charities Fund. Come out and cheer on your F.O.P. Stars to another victory.
Perhaps you are experiencing problems at the Medical Services Section, waiting weeks/months to get a referral for medical attention, or waiting weeks/months to get approval on a recurrence claim and medical section personnel do not return your phone calls. If you feel you have exhausted all possible avenues to resolve your problem, which would include contacting the medical director, please call the Lodge and ask for Bill Dougherty. The medical team at the Lodge is sending a weekly letter to Superintendent Cline that addresses the problems that are occurring at the Medical Section. Hopefully, the Superintendent will see the ongoing problems and force the Medical Section to give officers more efficient services when they are injured on-duty.
When members of the Board of Directors go out and visit roll calls monthly, we hear from officers that are not aware that we have a website that is updated daily. The website includes a wealth of information that needs to be brought to our members. The website contains current contract proposals as well as grievance procedures and disability information. Please pass the word to your fellow officers that the website is there for them. Go to WWW.CHICAGOFOP.ORG today and be informed.
CR by Affidavit
Effective January 1, 2004 in the State of Illinois, anyone making a complaint against a sworn peace officer must support this complaint with a signed affidavit. When you have been served with allegations to be answered to OPS or Internal Affairs with either a To From Report or a formal statement, ensure that you include the following disclaimer:
This statement is not being given voluntarily but under
duress. I am only giving this statement
at this time because I know that I could lose my job if I refuse. This To From report should not be considered
a verbatim statement but only a summary of requested information.
R/O further objects to this investigation because Illinois State Law now requires that anyone making a complaint against a sworn peace officer must have the complaint supported by a sworn affidavit. R/O does not believe that the required affidavit has been obtained in this case.
Some Officers are omitting the additional disclaimer from their statements or required reports. For your own protection, use this disclaimer until the Lodge can get this issue resolved with the City.
Uniform Resale
The semi annual Lodge #7 Uniform Resale will be held at the FOP Hall on April 21, 2004 from 1300 hrs until 1800 hrs. Please take advantage of this event if you are looking to purchase an additional uniform item or to sell those old uniforms, which are no longer worn. Officers wishing to sell their uniform items need only come into the Hall and set up on one of the tables before the start of the resale. Officers who wish to donate their uniforms to the Lodge should drop their uniforms off at the Lodge. The proceeds of the donated uniforms will be given to the Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry.
Gun Safety Day
The Lodge #7 Gun Safety Day has been scheduled for May 19, 2004 at the F.O.P. Hall from 0900 until 1800 hrs. Representatives from the major gun manufacturers will be available for onsite safety inspections of the officer’s duty weapons at no cost.
Legal Defense
If you are notified to appear at OPS or IAD to give a statement for an on duty incident or an off duty incident where you took Police action and whether you are the accused, or a witness you are entitled to representation. Call the Lodge with the date and time of your statement so that an attorney can accompany you.
When a C.R. number is sustained with a penalty recommendation and your option is the DSP or the CRP always check the box for the DSP. If you are not satisfied with the results of the DSP then the next step is to request the CRP.
By Sidney M. Davis
Recognized Watch Vacancies
Under section 31-5, Filling of Vacancies, if and when the employer decides to fill a recognized vacancy by bid, such vacancy to be bid shall be posted on the seventh calendar day (Wednesday 10 March 2004), and also during the sixth and ninth police periods. The posting shall remain posted for 7 calendar days from the day of posting. The vacancy shall be filled by the most senior qualified officer bidding for the vacancy. If no such qualified officer within the unit bids for such vacancy, the Employer may fill the watch vacancy by reverse seniority.
Watch Bids
Watch Bids open on Wednesday, 10 March 2004 and close on Wednesday, 17 March 2004. Check with your Unit Rep if you are unsure on how to complete the form for bidding. An incomplete or error can and may stop you from bidding to another watch. The next time watch bidding comes around is during the sixth period.
2004 Fishing Tournament
The date for the 2004 FOP Fishing tournament has been set for Wednesday 9 Jun 2004. All members who anticipate fishing should mark your calendars. This is a change in date from previous years.
Military Reservist
As of February 19, 2004, fifty-nine officers have been deployed to serve their country. Forty-five officers are on foreign soil and face dangerous, aggressive forces. The enemy there is unknown and pervasive. No one can say for sure when this Iraq conflict will end, so in the meantime police officers will continue to be mobilized. A few officers have already served twice, and will probably serve again. I will continue to speak on their behalf until this conflict is over. If you know of an officer who is deployed, write that officer a line or two. Let them know you are thinking of them and thank them for serving. The eight or ten hour shift that you work has no comparison to the 24/7 environment these officers must endure on a daily basis. A recent meeting with City Officials has resulted in some movement to get pension relief for officers who are deployed during the Iraq conflict. Full story next month (April FOP Newsletter).
Military Pay
Officers who are reservists may contact the office (ask for Sid Davis) to acquire the 2004 Pay Book. Officers are reminded that if you are deployed to contact Sol at Personnel 312-745-5342 and then Sid Davis at FOP (312-733-7776).
F.O.P. Information
Some F.O.P. members are complaining of not being informed of current events. Officers, there are over ten different ways that the F.O.P. communicates with its members on a monthly basis. (1). The F.O.P. website at www.chicagofop.org (2). The F.O.P. Hotline at 312-733-2101, (3). The F.O.P. Newsletter, (4). Attending General Meetings, (5). Attending Board Meetings, (6). F.O.P. Bulletin Boards (Districts and Units), (7). F.O.P. News Briefs, (8). Roll Call visits by Board of Directors, (9). Your Unit Rep, (10). Your Watch Rep, (11), Trustee’s assigned to Districts and Units,
The monthly Board of Directors meeting is a venue where Lodge members may attend to hear the business of the Lodge and to ask questions. Stay informed and participate.
F.O.P. Board
Meetings
The Feb. FOP Board meeting took place on 3 Feb, 04 , during the meeting a change of start times was discussed and voted on. The Trustee's meeting time has changed from 10 a.m. to 9 a.m., and the start of the full Board meeting has changed from 11 a.m. to 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the Trustee's meeting, but no sooner then 10 a.m. A lunch break for Board members will take place around 12:30 p.m., and end at 1 p.m., the full Board will reconvene at which time any Lodge member may address the full Board with any questions he or she may have. Stay informed and participate, its your Lodge and your business.
The following events listed will occur from March 9, 2004 thru April 9, 2004. For further information on any events posted below contact the Lodge (312) 733-7776, and ask for Sid Davis.
09 Mar 04 Italian American Police Assoc. Meeting
09 Mar 04 Latin American Police Assoc. Meeting
10 Mar 04 Watch Bids Open
12 Mar 04 Recognized Vacancies/Transfer Bids (Citywide)
15 Mar 04 Chicago Police Ski Club Meeting
16 Mar 04 F.O.P. General Meeting (7 p.m.)
17 Mar 04 St. Patrick’s Day
17 Mar 04 Watch Bids Close
17 Mar 04 Detective Association Meeting
26 Mar 04 Transfer Order for the 4th Period
28 Mar 04 ACT Workshop
01 Apr 04 4th Period Begins
01 Apr 04 April’s Fools Day
05 Apr 04 Chicago Police Ski Club Meeting
06 Apr 04 F.O.P. Board Meeting (11 a.m.)
06 Apr 04 Polish American Police Assoc. Meeting
06 Apr 04 Chicago Police Marine Assoc. Meeting
06 Apr 04 German American Police Assoc. Meeting
07 Apr 04 Chicago Police Women’s Assoc. Meeting
09 Apr 04 Recognized Vacancies / Transfer Bids (Citywide)
Unit Representatives
Due to retirement, transfer and promotions we now have seven new Unit Representatives. These positions were filled by election within the Unit, or by acclimation. The Reps. will hold their position until the next Lodge General Election in March 2005. Directly after the General Election, all Unit Rep. positions are up for re-election.
The new Reps are William Hartz, (014), 8 years seniority, Peggy Guice, (Unit 142, Court Section), 18 years seniority, Percy Allen Jr., (Unit 166, Identification Section), 14 years seniority, Joseph Rizzi, (Unit 153, Special Operations Section), 9 years seniority, Michael Saladino, (Unit 253, Tactical Response Unit), 3 years seniority, Thomas McDonagh, (Unit 610V), 9 years seniority Kurt Hagemann, (Unit 650V), 24 years seniority. We are currently scheduling an election for Unit Rep for the Canine Officers now in Unit #153, Special Operations Section.
Please remember that these Officers are volunteering their time and efforts to help you and keep you informed. Unit Reps. don’t receive Code 49 (carried working union business), they attend General Meetings, Unit Rep. Meetings and any Committee Meetings they might be appointed to on their own time. The only benefit or pay a Unit Rep. receives is a dues reimbursement, and only if they have attended the correct amount of General, and Unit Rep Meetings. Considering we have the lowest dues structure of any labor organization (public or private sector) that I am aware of, the dues reimbursement does not add up to much of a benefit. So please get to know your Unit Rep., remember they’re working for you.
Unit Representative Advisory Group
At the direction of the Board of Directors we are forming an Advisory Group of Unit Reps. The purpose of this group will be to investigate ways to assist Unit Reps. in their jobs, and to get them more involved in the business of the Lodge. Any Unit Rep. who wishes to serve on this Advisory Group should contact myself, or Catherine Manning at the Lodge.
F.O.P.
Veteran’s Corner/Disability Report
By
PO Carlos “Sal” Saladino, Chairman
Disability Report
The best of health from Committee members PO Cedric Brumley, INV Athena Mullen, PO Jim Mullen, PO Kim Shemash, Trustee Rhonda Bullock, 1st Vice President Bill Dougherty and myself. We are available for calls at the FOP office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check out the Disability Page link on the FOP web site, www.chicagofop.org, for beneficial information.
Bankers Life Insurance
The Committee received hundreds of phone calls/emails on this issue. We sent out a letter dated February 2, 2004 to all duty and occupational disabled officers explaining how to fill out and submit the Bankers Life form/forms. This life insurance benefit is at no cost to the officers. The F.O.P. attorneys and the Committee worked with the City and Bankers to secure this basic life insurance policy and the Extended Insurance for those who qualified. The Committee and FOP staff thanks all of you for your patience.
Disability Stars
I spoke with Sgt. Ray Gawne from Personnel and was told that Supt. Philip Cline approved the design for the new disability Chicago Police Stars and 450 stars are in the making. (Again, please be patient…it’s happening.)
Legislation Update
Pension bills for Duty Disabled HB5206, SB2990, and Heart Bills HB5203, SB2993, can be found on the web at www.legis.state.il.us
Veteran’s Corner
Our thoughts and prayers go to CPD members serving our country
as military reservists and National Guard members.
Diabetes update
I have talked with many Police Officer veterans who served in Nam and have Type 2 diabetes. This is a service-connected disability and veterans can receive compensation from $200 or more, depending on the degree of diabetes, plus free prescriptions and medical supplies pertaining to the diabetes condition. Don’t let this benefit go by the wayside…you’re entitled to it. For more information call 1-800-749-8387 or visit web site at www.gov/agentorange.
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 242
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 242 needs your help lobbying Congress for veteran benefits. For membership information call Bernie O’Donnell (Nam 68-69 Chopper Pilot) at 773-631-2623.
VA Regional Headquarters
Headquarters has moved from 536 S. Clark Street to the new West Side facility at 2122 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612. They can be reached at 1-800-827-1000.
Illinois National Guard Grant Program
Members of the Illinois National Guard are eligible to receive a grant for payment of tuition and some fees for either undergraduate or graduate study at Illinois public universities and community colleges. Hey, it’s free tuition!
Airborne! Sal
The best preparation for the ACT is a
solid academic high school curriculum.
However, in our competitive academic environment, students must also
have test “SMARTS.” Statistics have
shown that the students who have had preparation in testing strategies,
practice testing, test format and test instructions, substantially outperform
others. The COLLEGE VISIONS STRICTLY
STRAGEGIES workshop that will be offered at the FOP Hall focuses on these
important test strategies and techniques.
By mandate of the State of Illinois
Department of Education, all public and private high school juniors will be
required to sit for the ACT Exam this April.
By attending this workshop and taking a practice ACT Exam, your child
will have a week or two to become more prepared in certain areas where they may
not have tested as well as they would have liked, prior to the ACT being
offered at their particular school. In
an effort to prepare the children of “LODGE #7, FOP” members for this
very important exam, the FOP has invited COLLEGE VISIONS to conduct their
workshop for the daughters and sons of FOP members. This workshop will be offered on 28 March 2004 from 1:00 PM until
4:00 PM and will be held at the FOP Hall (1412 W. Washington Blvd.) This program usually costs $45.00 or
more. The cost for the children of the
FOP will only be $20.00 per child.
The presenters of this program are knowledgeable and experienced educators. They have prepared thousands of students in the Chicagoland area to be “test smart.” The Lodge encourages you to involve your child’s participation in this program. If your child only picks up one or two items that assist him/her in taking the ACT Exam, it is to his/her advantage.
There is limited space available at the
FOP Hall, so please complete the application found on page 10 of this
newsletter and send it, along with a check or money order for $20 to Kathy
Moore at the Lodge, Unit 541. Ensure
that your child has a seat at this important educational event that might very
well effect his or her future.
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
The Teacher
I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband died suddenly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there. With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, "Class is over, I would like to share with all of you, a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important.”
“Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is the powers way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day."
Her eyes beginning to water, she went on, "So I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something you see, it could be a scent - perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground. Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at anytime...it can all be taken away."
The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently.
That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester. Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook. Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double dip ice cream cone. Tell your family and friends how much they mean to you. For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.
Please remember the Department Chaplains are always available for lunch, if we can be of assistance don't hesitate to call.
May G~d bless you, keep you safe and always keep you in his loving care. Amen.
Compliments of your Police Chaplain, Rabbi Moshe Wolf
773-463-4780 or
moshewolf@hotmail.com
By John Dineen
Marriage After Retirement
Police Officers who are not married when they retire, upon application, receive a refund of their contribution toward the surviving spouse benefit. (Your contribution of 9% of salary is broken down as follows: 7% for your pension benefits – 1.5% for a surviving spouse benefit and .5% for the post-retirement increase.)
If the retired Officer gets married, he or she can provide for a surviving spouse benefit by following the provisions of Sec. 5-165 of the Chicago Police Pension Act, which states, (1) the amount of the refund, plus interest from the date of refund to the date of payment, is repaid to the Fund within one year after the date of the marriage, and (2) the date of the marriage is at least one year prior to the date of death, and (3) the surviving spouse otherwise qualifies under the terms of this Article.
It should be noted the City of Chicago will not provide Medical benefits to the spouse of a Police Officer who marries after the date of his/her retirement.
Legislative Update
The Pension bills providing for the compounding of the 3% escalator for retirees and a 3% escalator for surviving spouses have been filed in Springfield but no action has been taken on the bills as of going to press.
Listed here are the candidates who, after making a formal request for
the Lodge’s endorsement in the upcoming municipal elections, were approved by
the Political Action Committee and whom the Board of Directors hereby
recommends as the best candidates to support the Lodge’s interests. Please consider them when you place your
vote.
Candidates For Judge:
Vacancy: Candidate:
5 Sub Cox Jackie Marie Portman
10 Sub Fleming James
M. McGing
10 Sub "A"
Peggy Chiampas
8th Sub Jon
Erickson
9th Sub Himel Timothy
Nimrod
15 Sub Lanigan James
J. Ryan
Salyers Vacancy William
Raines
Salyers Vacancy Kathleen
Ann Panozzo
Orlando Vacancy Laurence
J. Dunford
Siracusa Vacancy Susan
P. Malone
Foreman Vacancy Margaret
Ann Carey
O'Malley Vacancy William
Haddad
11 Sub Smith Paula Daleo
Note that in the contest for the Salyers vacancy two candidates were
found to be highly qualified for the judgeship.
Cook Cty States
Atty Dick Devine
Clerk of the
Circuit Jerome M. Orbach
State Representative
Dist # (Inc.
= Incumbent)
2nd Edward Acevedo (Inc.)
6th Patricia Bailey (Inc.)
15th (Vacant) John
C. D'Amico
16th Louis
Lang (Inc.)
19th Joe Lyons (Inc.)
22nd Michael
Madigan (Inc.)
28th Robert
Rita (Inc.)
33rd Marlow
Colvin (Inc.)
39th Maria "Toni" Berrios
(Inc.)
State Senate
11th Louis
Viverito (Inc.)