The following articles
appear in the current monthly FOP newsletter.
By Mark Donahue
Representatives of the Lodge and the
Department continue to negotiate. Thus
far, there have been more than 60 meetings.
We have made progress in many areas and our work continues on some
significant bargaining issues. We have
been working with the Department on developing schedules which will give some
relief to the sixth consecutive work day dilemma. This issue was a top priority to the membership as both a result
of a survey that was sent out last year in which 85% responded desiring to be
rid of the 6th consecutive work day and the polling the Unit Reps
did in preparation for the negotiation process. Last Thursday [March 25th]
a resolution was reached to “pilot” a schedule which will do just that. The Full Negotiating Team, the Unit Reps and
the Board of Directors met the following day to discuss and give input to the
plan. After extensive discussion at all
three meetings and a vote at all three meetings, the decision was made to go
ahead with a pilot program for the new work schedule. In all three meetings, there was only one “no” vote voiced and
that “no” vote was not relative to the 6th work day schedule. This program will be piloted in the
Districts encompassed in Areas 1 and 5 (Districts 2, 7, 8, 9, and 21 in Area 1;
and 14, 15, 16, 17 and 25 in Area 5).
Included in the pilot is the option on the City’s part to begin working
10-hour shifts in certain specialized Units.
Also agreed to is what will become a 4th
watch in the pilot Districts. What are
currently recognized as 3rd Watch Rapid Response cars will be put on a 10-hour
schedule similar to that currently worked in Public Housing. The hours worked on the 10-hour shift have
been discussed as possibly 6 pm to 4 am or 7 pm to 5 am. This plan still has to be approved by the
City (read Mayor) and when final approval is received, it is the goal to begin
implementing the pilot in the 6th Police Period. The Lodge will publish all of the details once this pilot program
is finalized but the Negotiating Team, Unit Representatives, and the F.O.P.
Board of Directors have all approved this monumental change in the Chicago
Police Department work schedule. This
work schedule has been the issue of discussion in bargaining for the past 9
years at the members request and we will finally have an opportunity to put it
in action with this pilot program.
Although in its entirety, this plan is not perfect, the Lodge and the
City will establish a committee to monitor the progress and make changes where
necessary and to get the feedback from our members as to its continuation or
demise.
A great deal of effort from both sides of
the negotiation table went into this scheduling package which has as its root
the Lodge’s proposal to eliminate the 6th consecutive workday. Although the schedule we will be testing
does not totally eliminate the 6th consecutive workday it reduces the number of
times officers will work 6 days in a row to only 14 times per year. Aside from setting straight day off groups,
this schedule nearly accomplishes our goal.
Also included in this pilot is the understanding that for the year 2005
furlough selection process and thereafter, the membership will be selecting
their furloughs based on seniority by unit as opposed to the current seniority
by watch. This decision will resolve
the open issue contained in the arbitrator’s decision contained in Appendix S
of the current contract.
Health Care Coalition
The Lodge has joined with other City of
Chicago Labor Unions in a coalition to protect and improve our healthcare
benefits in this negotiation cycle. We
are working together in an effort to present a strong and united stance on the healthcare
terms that the City of Chicago will provide to employees. The Chicago Federation of Labor has taken
the lead in putting together the group which includes, the FOP, the PBPA, the
Firefighters, AFSCME and the Laborers. The Lodge 7 Board of Directors took
unprecedented action in committing to this endeavor which we feel will benefit
all employees of the City including the Police. The Unions participating have made time and monetary commitments
to this effort and the Lodge’s Board of Directors believes that this united
approach will serve us best. As has
been reported, the Health Care Proposal tendered to us by the City was to say
the least unacceptable and the same proposal was made to all of the other City
unions.
Concealed-Carry,
Illinois SB2188
In a recent press release, Governor
Blagojevich announced that should the pending concealed-carry legislation reach
his desk he would veto it. This
statement caused numerous calls to be made to the Lodge questioning the
Governor’s support of Law Enforcement.
In further discussions it has been learned that the Governor does have
some issues in the version that passed out of the Senate on March 26th but is a
supporter of retirees carry/concealed issue.
This Governor, as a U.S. Congressman, voted in favor of the same
legislation on the National level and we have no reason to doubt his support of
our effort at this time. The Illinois
State Legislature is in recess the first two weeks of April and there will undoubtedly
be discussions with the House sponsor over possible amendments to address the
Governor’s concerns. As a point of
note, six members of the Illinois House signed on as co-sponsors of the
legislation prior to its arriving in the House. I would recommend all members, especially those retired members,
contact their State Representative and tell them you are constituent who wants
their support for the passage of Senate Bill 2188. This legislation could become a moot issue when the similar
legislation is passed at the national level.
The Fraternal Order of Police will continue to work for passage of this
legislation and will be lobbying the Illinois House members and the Governor to
pass this bill, which we consider a Law Enforcement Safety issue.
Memorial
F.O.P. Lodge #7 will be hosting our
memorial on Thursday, May 20th at 1100 hours.
All members and their families are welcome to attend the ceremony, which
will last approximately one hour. The
ceremony is followed by small reception where refreshments will be served. Anyone who is planning to attend is asked to
make reservations with Mary Pat at our office (312-733-7776). The Chicago Police Department will be
holding a memorial service this year.
On Monday, May 10th at 1930 hours, there will be a candlelight service
in Gold Star Park. The Park is on the
Museum Campus east of Soldier Field and North of McCormick Place.
Vice
Presidents’ Article
Every officer who is injured on-duty and
requires medical attention, starts out with a trip to the emergency room for
treatment with follow up referrals given by the Medical Services Section. The officer is given referrals for follow up
treatment and or therapy or surgery (if necessary).
Contractually, an officer is entitled to
365 days of paid time off to recover for each injury on-duty. These 365 days are limited to that 1 year of
recovery time in an officer’s career.
Should an officer use all 365 days, he/she goes into a no pay status
pending a hearing at the pension board.
The officer at this time goes to the pension board and receives an
affidavit (that the officer fills out) describing the circumstances of his/her
injury on-duty. The lodge attorney will
assist the officer with this affidavit.
The officer then turns the affidavit into the pension board.
While an officer is waiting for the final
determination of benefits by the pension board officers are required to
contribute the same amount as active officers for health care benefits.
The pension board then starts the process
where the officer is sent to the pension board doctor along with a copy of
his/her medical records. The doctor
then formulates a written decision based upon a physical exam and the medical
records from the Medical Services Section, as to whether or not he concludes
the officer is disabled or able to return to work.
The pension board, which normally meets
on the 4th Thursday of the month, then takes oral testimony from
their doctor. If he concludes that the
officer is incapable of returning to work, then the officer is granted 50% of
his/her salary pending a full hearing before the board to determine if the
officer will be granted a 75% Duty Related Disability. If the doctor believes that the officer is
capable of returning to work, then nothing is awarded until the officer’s full
hearing before the board.
There are occasions where the board’s
doctor has to send the officer to a specialist to determine capability of duty.
Once the officer is granted a Duty
Disability, his benefits include 75% of his salary, tax free, which is
determined by the salary rate on the date of the award. The City agrees to pay all hospital, medical
and prescription costs of an officer who is on a leave of absence for Duty
Disability or Occupational Disability, all at no cost to the employee. The employer also shall make pension
contributions on behalf of the employee as if he had remained in active
service. Further, while on disability,
if the officer needs any treatment for his/her IOD, he obtains a referral from
the Medical Services Section and continues his care for as long as necessary.
The
officer is represented at the pension board by FOP counsel free of charge for
the duty disability hearing.
By Sidney M. Davis
Constitution and By-Law
Changes/Amendments
Article XII, Amendments to the By-Laws,
informs Lodge members that only active members, in good standing of this Lodge,
may propose an amendment to these By-Laws.
Such proposals shall be in resolution form, stating the reasons for the
amendment, and shall be attested by the signatures of eleven (11) active
members in good standing. Proposed
amendments to this constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Recording
Secretary within a two (2) month period commencing April 1, and ending May 31,
of each year.
Gold Star Family Information
The Gold Star Family has a new address
and phone number. Please send
correspondence to CPD Gold Star Family, Attn Gladis Young, c/o FOP Chicago
Lodge #7, 1412 West Washington Blvd, Chicago, Illinois 60607 or call
773-329-1877
Roll Call Visits
The Board of Directors have logged well
over 1000 roll call visits since April 2002.
Most Districts and Unit have been visited at least once, if your unit or
district (watch) has not been visited, please contact the Lodge ASAP and let us
know. The concept of roll call visits
has greatly benefited the membership and the Lodge. Members are more informed regarding Lodge business then ever before. When you hear a rumor, and rumors they are,
please do not spread them, but rather call the FOP Office to verify or dispel
the rumor.
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. This article has
appeared in the last three (3) issues of the FOP Newsletter. We want to make
sure we do not lose any anglers for the tournament.
The
following events listed will occur from 10 April through 9 May 2004. For further information on any events posted
below contact the Lodge (312) 733-7776, and ask for Sid Davis.
11 Apr 04 Easter Sunday
13 Apr 04 Italian American Police Assoc.
Meeting
13 Apr 04 Latin American Police Assoc. Meeting
13 Apr 04 Retirement Distribution Strategies
Seminar
17 Apr 04 Emerald Society’s Dinner Dance
(Hawthorn Race Track)
19 Apr 04 Chicago Police Ski Club Meeting
20 Apr 04 FOP General Meeting ( Noon )
21 Apr 04 Noble Monthly Meeting
21 Apr 04 Uniform Resale, FOP Hall
21 Apr 04 Monthly Detective Association
Meeting
23 Apr 04 Transfer Order for the 5th Period
29 Apr 04 Police Partnership Day
29 Apr 04 5th Period Begins
01 May 04 Spring Uniform Inspection (01 May
thru 10 May)
02 May 04 St. Jude’s March
03 May 04 Chicago Police Ski Club Meeting
03 May 04 Emerald Society’s Rib Fest--FOP Hall
04 May 04 FOP Board Meeting (10 a.m.)
04 May 04 Polish American Police Assoc.
Meeting
04 May 04 Chicago Police Marine Assoc. Meeting
04 May 04 German American Police Assoc.
Meeting
05 May 04 Chicago Police Women’s Assoc.
Meeting
06 May 04 Illinois Memorial Day
07 May 04 Recognized Vacancies/Transfer Bids (Citywide)
09 May 04 Mother’s Day
There are 13,676 active police officers
on the department. This breaks down to
3,146 females and 10,530 males. The total number of police officers hired
during 2003 was 451, 91 females and 360 males.
The total number of police officers who left the Police Department
during 2003 was 537. Of the 537 police
officers, 35 officers died while on the job, 6 officers were discharged, 12
probationary officers were discharged, 76 officers chose to resign without a
pension, and finally 408 officers completed their career and retired with a
pension. For the month of February, 57
years of age was the average retiree’s age with 30 years of service.
The rank breakdown of the 408 retirees is
324 under the rank of sergeant, 59 sergeants, 14 lieutenants, and 11 exempt
rank. The total number of officers on
disability is 415, which breaks down as 270 on duty disability, 32 on ordinary
disability, 98 on occupational heart disability, and 15 on total and permanent
disability. Note, ordinary disability
is 50% of the salary when last worked (an officer can receive ¼ of the net
service, not to exceed 5 years) and the officer must provide his/her own health
insurance. During the year of 2003, the
Pension Board granted duty disability to twelve police officers, occupational
heart disability to eight police officers, ordinary disability to fourteen
police officers and permanent and total disability to two police officers. The majority of officers receiving ordinary
disability are pending a duty disability hearing in the near future.
As of December 31, 2003, there are 7,487
retired police officers and 3,146 spouses of deceased police officers. There were 11,636 checks mailed/direct
deposited in February to annuitants of the Pension Fund. There is approximately $31.8 million paid
monthly to annuitants. This comes to
$380 million per year. The Pension Fund
receives approximately $240 million in employee/er contributions per year. As you can see the Pension Fund is minus
$140 million before the Pension Fund receives any return on their
investments. There is $3.56 billion in
the Pension Fund as of December 31, 2003.
Before leaving town for their winter
recess, Congress passed the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefit Act, S.459, which
expands the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) to include heart attacks and
strokes.
Originally enacted in 1976, the PSOB was
largely limited to deaths and catastrophic injuries resulting from physical
trauma. Under the provisions of S.459,
if a public safety officer dies as a “direct and proximate” result of a heart
attack or stroke within twenty-four hours of responding to an incident or
training exercise involving strenuous physical activity, the death will be
“presumed” in the line of duty and the family will be eligible for PSOB
benefits. The President signed the bill
on December 16. The effective date is
the date of enactment.
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.
The Committee wants to thank Mark Donahue
and Bill Dougherty for their presence and testimony on behalf of disabled
police officers at the February Pension Board meeting. Officers waiting for their case to be heard
on Permanent and Total have now been notified on what course of action they may
choose. Inv. Athena Mullen, Steve
Robbins and some Sergeants were also present.
Again, this is a volunteer effort.
We want to thank the Chicago Police
Hockey Team for the March 27 game vs Chicago Fire Department at United Center
and the April 3 game vs the Michigan State Police Team at Allstate Arena. A portion of each ticket sold will go to the
FOP Disability Fund. Thank you to all
participants from CPD Teams B, C, and C(2).
Veteran’s
Corner
Our thoughts and prayers go to CPD
members serving our country as military reservists and National Guard members.
Gulf War Veterans
Chronic Disabilities
Public Law 107-103. Section 202. (For service connection) a disability
resulting from an undiagnosed illness.
A medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (such as chronic
fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome). This law affects Gulf War veterans August 2,
1990 to present and beyond. Veterans
previously denied service connection before the change in law may reapply. Questions about this matter may call VA
National toll free at 1-800-827-1000.
World War II Memorial
Dedication
The World War II Memorial dedication will
be held in Washington DC, Saturday, May 29, 2004. For more information go to web site www.wwiimemorial.com
Chicago Police Marines
Looking for a few good men and
women. Meetings are at the FOP Hall the
1st Tuesday of each month 1900 hrs.
See Officer Dominick Kearns, 11th District.
Airborne! Sal
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
The young officer had been on the job
less than two weeks, working on the west side, where his family had much of
their history. As he and his FTO
patrolled their beat, the names of the streets and parks must have dredged
dozens of his parents' dinner table stories out of his memory, and the family
history blended together with the present moment. He couldn't believe he was the Chicago Police; that his dream had
come true, and the job was as good---even better---than he'd hoped it would be. It was fun.
The district was fascinating.
The calls ran from the ridiculous to the sublime. And the people he worked with were the best:
comedians who could entertain, police officers who knew the street and the job,
officers you could count on to watch your back. He couldn't imagine anything better than this.
The flat, five- pointed star he wore,
with the copper colored numbers, had belonged to a retired police officer who
had been best man at his parents' wedding.
It had a meaning and history to him and his family, the kind of richness
and symbolism that seems to go with stars handed over personally from one
police generation to the next. It was
flatter than most, because "the previous owner had a big butt," he
would say. " A round guy had it and sat on it for 32 years." He couldn't get his dad's old star, so this
would suffice.
It was a fall night, and he and his FTO
were in and out of the squad car countless times. As he got back into the Ford after a street stop, he went to
straighten his sweater and there was an empty spot where the star should have
been. He checked everywhere, and tossed
the squad car like it was a gang gunship.
The FTO had suggestions, and the PPO checked his shoes and sox and
underwear and pockets...everything but open his mouth and stick out his
tongue. Diligent investigation revealed
the star was lost. Before he even had a
chance to begin to worry about his future or be embarrassed, they got a call to
go in to the station and see the desk.
When they got in, one of the desk people handed him his star. "A homeless guy just found your button,
kid. I can't believe it, but he called
911. You'd think he would've sold it
for a c-note, wouldn't you?" The
911 folks had pdt'd the message to the district desk, the desk had quietly
called the car in, and the flat star was back where it belonged. More diligent police work followed, and the
FTO and the PPO went to the gas station at Homan and Washington Boulevard,
where the 911 call had originated, to find the homeless man. He was there, as usual, hustling to make
some change near the gas pumps. The two
police officers approached him with their game faces on. "You the guy...? Yeah...found it laying in the gutter over
there. Clasp must've come undone when I
was going through those three guys we stopped.
Yeah, I saw you searching them.
I really appreciate you turning it in, sir." And the young officer did the right
thing. He reached into his right side
pants pocket, took out some USC, and folded the bills three times in the
classic style of a Chicago drop so he wouldn't embarrass the dropee, held it
out to the homeless man and said, "Thank you very much."
"Office, I don't want your
money. I wasn't always like this,
man. I had a city job and all, but
things went bad. So I'm on the street
now." Again, quietly, the young
officer offered the green square, even saying "please." But the homeless star-finder had the last
word in this mini-drama that took only 30 minutes from start to finish. "I don't want your money, Officer. I just did the right thing. Now you go and do the right thing with my
people."
Respectfully,
Fr.
Thomas R. Nangle, Chaplain CPD
(312)
738-7588
INFO FOR THE POLICE
-Soon you'll be hearing about an effort
to upgrade our Gold Star Families Park on the lakefront, directly east of
Soldier Field. It's already nice, but
Superintendent Cline said he'd like it to be "the premier law enforcement
memorial in the country." Wouldn't
we all?
-Mass cards from the Police Chaplains
Ministry continue to be available via telephone (312-738-2831), and no donations
are expected nor accepted for this service.
The Mystery of
the Rose, By Rabbi Moshe Wolf
As we approach the holidays of Passover and Easter, let us take a moment
to reflect. Holidays are joyous for
some, painful to those hurting and who mourn loved ones, and Holy days to
all. The message of the Holidays is, if
you are blessed with joy and happiness, reach out and share that joy and spirit
with those close to you that need that emotional lift. Let the teachings of faith and love guide
you on your journey. We learn from the
following story of the Rose that in life, sometimes all you can do is listen
when G-d says 'trust me'.
A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher
in the garden one day. Feeling a bit
insecure about what G-d had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for
some advice. The older preacher walked
up to a rose bush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open
it without tearing any of the petals.
The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was
trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting
to know the will of G-d for his life and ministry. But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he
proceeded to try and unfold the rosebud while keeping every petal intact…
It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do. Noticing the young preacher's inability to
unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the
following poem:
It is only a tiny rosebud
A flower of G-d's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
G-D opens this flower so sweetly, Then, in my hands, they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
The flower of G-d's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So, I'll trust in Him for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for His
guidance
Each step of the Pilgrim's way.
The pathway that lies before me
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to
appreciate them, a day to love them, and an entire lifetime to forget
them. One of the secrets in life is to
remember that not all is for us to understand, but to have faith, to enjoy the
'ROSE of life' one stage at a time.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones, for a blessed, joyous Passover
and Easter Holidays, from all the Department Chaplains.
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
moshewolf@hotmail.com
Some years ago, the Gold Star Families
Park was dedicated at a beautiful site on the lakefront (just east of Soldier
Field). Working together on this
project was the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Police
Department. The Police Chaplains
Ministry asked police officers for donations so we could provide additional
items for the park, and you came through generously, as usual. We were able to put in place some benches,
two huge boulders with bronze plaques identifying the park's purpose and an 18'
round granite CPD star in the ground at the foot of the flagpoles. It was a great start, but the park quickly
became inaccessible due to the construction work, which took place at Soldier
Field. That construction is now
completed and the park (which the Park District did a fine job of protecting
during the construction) is once again open, and a beautiful tribute to fallen
Chicago police officers.
We spend a lot of time and energy during
Police Month in May traveling to Washington DC and Springfield IL for memorial
services, but now that the construction interruption is over, it's time to make
our own Chicago lakefront site the premier law enforcement memorial in the
nation. We do this out of love, reverence,
and respect. Love, reverence, and
respect for our fallen officers is what is driving this move to improve our
already beautiful memorial...and an awful lot of healthy Chicago police pride.
There will be a major fundraising
campaign for the newly formed Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, and the
kickoff will be right where it should be: at our Gold Star Families Park. All police officers, their families and
friends are warmly encouraged to attend the one hour event, which will include
a candlelight vigil on Monday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m., at the GSF Park. Superintendent Phil Cline says, "The
site is perfectly placed on the lakefront, and it's already attractive, and now
we want to make it even better. It
honors our fallen CPD officers, and it should be the premier law enforcement
memorial in America." Washington
is indeed beautiful, as is Springfield, but this is our own, and we will make
it into what it should be: a magnificent and tasteful site that will touch and
warm the police soul.
All police officers are encouraged to be
present on May 10th. This is our own
memorial to our own brothers and sisters, and race, rank, religion, political
views and opinions melt away in the face of the price they paid, and who they
were and the stars they carried. Visit
the website at www.cpdmemorial.org for details about parking, directions,
weather, etc.