Ordinarily a meeting notice would not be news.
But the McHenry County Sheriff’s Commission has met in such a long time that next Thursday’s meeting is of the “man bites dog” significance.
The Merit Commission is under the total control of each Sheriff, that is, all members are appointed by the Sheriff.
You can see the agenda below:
The agenda for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Merit Commission for August 8, 2013.
When Nygren wants to terminate a deputy, or even when a deputy resigns, the matter is supposed to go to the Merit Commission.
Do you suppose there is some good reason that Greg Pyle’s charges, employment and termination have never been sent to the Merit Commission?
The supervisors (Sgt and above) do not have any protection other than take their cause to circuit court. This is done at their own expense. Have you looked at the cost of hiring a labor attorney? Hourly rates start at $350.00 per hour and just a basic show up will cost you a grand. Have a hearing at it’s easily $5000.00. Appeals? Better mortgage the house.
Rank and file deputies and personnel are represented by the FOP, Fraternal Order of Police. They can have an Attorney represent them and have grievance process defined by contract, paid for by the FOP and monthly dues. You’ll notice that NONE of the disciplinary cases of deputies is heard before the Merit commission. Everyone knows that going before the Merit Commission is putting the noose around your own neck. Anything not resolved in the grievance procedure goes to court. Does anyone remember the last time any discipline was heard before the Kangaroo Commission?
Years ago the Merit Commission had some true independence. Deputies were proud of the advances away from patronage and protection of the Merit Commission. There are many deputies that actually went before the Merit Commission and won against the will of previous Sheriff’s. Nygren however eventually ended the fairness and independence of the independent Merit arbiters and made sure HIS merit Commission did what HE wanted.
Supervisors are on their own and can either agree with the Sheriff or face discipline. If they do get disciplined they can take their lumps or hit the road. He wins either way. The deck is stacked against them. Nygren appoints the Merit Commission and they do his bidding. If HE wants it, HE gets it. Don’t give me the BS line of fairness? The talking points of appointing people from the opposing political party are 100% smoke and mirrors.
Our Merit Commission. Isn’t it strange that these people are contributors? Isn’t it strange they serve on his or Andy’s campaign? They are a rubber stamp, nothing more.
The Merit Commission should be appointed by an independent committee totally outside the influence of the Sheriff. They should be a citizen review giving fairness, not the panel of people just wanting that Merit Commission badge. Yes they all have one.
Very true. Even the Illinois state police have a union for sgt’s an master sgt’s Lt ‘s
The Chicago police have unions for the command staff.
Why not here?
Nygen and zinke want total control.
Harrison and Prim need to agree that supervisors need protection and representation.
There needs to be a total revamp of the way the Merit Commission is appointed and operated.
To change the merit commission, you must change state law.
It’s not a local institution but a creature created by the legislature.
The sheriff didn’t create it, but he did appoint the members (and I think they are confirmed by the county board).
They have only the powers specifically provided to them in the state statute and are fairly limited: Hiring, Promotion, Discipline.
They cannot create rules for the operation of the department.
As for the union stuff, that’s all negotiated and the FOP determined who would be in and who would be out.
Supervisors, if they want a union, have only to pull up their jock straps and decide to do so.
Untrue.
The Labor Board in Chicago EXCLUDED the supervisors many years ago.
They were included in the union and the were excluded when the Sheriff filed to have them ruled excluded under the rules.
There was a contested two day hearing.
For any of the supervisors to now try and reestablish coverage under another union such as the Operating Enginners Teamsters IPA or Map , would be career suicide.
The person would be squashed.
Yes the Merit System is under Illinois law, but Nygren has circumvented the intended meaning and purpose of the commission by appointing his own people there along with the puppets on the county board.
Nygren has handed out campaign money to board memebers to keep them in his court.
He was the local campaign banker.
Prim and Harrison now have a change to take the high road and re-establish the Merit Commission as a independent body.
Obviously Zinke has no intension of fairness since Goode is his lead campaign manager.