R-909 - 05/24/2005 - GOVERNMENT - Resolutions Supporting DocumentsItem 64M- a
If! lull
J_
AGENDA ITEM
Regular Board of Trustees Meeting
of
May 24, 2005
SUBJECT: Political Activities of Fire Department Personnel
FROM:, Kevin Quinlan, Village President
BUDGET SOURCE/BUDGET IMPACT:
RECOMMENDED MOTION: I move to approve Resolution 2005- GL -FD -R -909
A Resolution in Opposition to Legislation Relative to Fire Department Personnel Serving in
Public Office
Background /History:
This Resolution is in opposition to House Bill 1338 passed by the Illinois General Assembly. It
allows municipal firefighters to become elected or appointed officials in the municipality in
which they are employed. House Bill 1338 passed the Illinois Senate on May 19, 2005 and the
Illinois House on March 9, 2005; it is now on its way to the Governor. This Resolution urges the
Governor's veto of House Bill 1338 because of serious conflicts of interest which could be
created by ignoring the concern of an individual serving both as employee and employer.
Avoiding conflicts created due to budget issues, labor negotiations or allocation of resources
would not be realistic. House Bill 1338 also opens the door for other employee groups to request
eligibility for public office. Upon passage by the Board of Trustees, this Resolution will be sent
to the Governor urging his veto of House Bill 1403 and also to all Village of Oak Brook
legislators urging them to contact the Governor.
Recommendation:
I recommend that Resolution 2005- GL -FD -R -909 be approved.
Last saved by Default J \ALL DOMBOARD MEMOSTF Pension Bd2 doc
Last printed 5/20/2005 2 21 PM
6 A 4) DuPage Water Commission - $165,213 30
6) Norton, Mancini, Weiler & DeAno - $644.00
B Approval of Payroll
1) Pay Period Ending May 7, 2005 - $667,572.25
2) Police Retro Pay — May 19, 2005 - $43,058 58
C Community Development Referrals
D to Seek Bids or Proposals or Negotiate Contracts.
E Authorization to Hire, Promote or Reassign Duties of Village Employees
F Budget Adjustments
G Treasurer's Report — April, 2005
H DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference 2005 -2006 Membership Dues and
Assessment
I Regional Bike Trail - Salt Creels Greenway Trail — Amendment to the IDNR C
Agreement
J 4 2005 Polo License Agreement Don Healy, Polo Club
L. A Resolution in Opposition to Legislation Relative to Fire Union Control Ove
,-Pension Boards
M Resolution in Opposition to Legislation Relative to Fire Department Person
Serving in Public Office
7. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA-
6, A 5) Kubiesa, Spiroff, Gosselar & Acker, P.0 - $6,202 40
Trustee Aktipis indicated that this item involves payment of legal fees to
Kubiesa for representing the Village of Oak Brook relative to the Elmhurst
litigation He requested that there are some issues he would like to discuss witl
Kennedy as the new liaison Trustee before he would vote on this subject.
ant
Fire
attorney
3uilders
Trustee
Motion by Trustee Aktipis, second by Trustee Yusuf, to continue this agenda it6m to the
next Village Board meeting
Trustee Yusuf suggested that the discussion requested not be lengthy in order Ito move
forward with the agenda items or recess the meeting for the two Trustees to discuss
resolving the issue.
President Quinlan asked if the remainder of the Board of Trustees wished to continue this
agenda item, discuss the matter or approve it
Trustee Kennedy explained that he did review the bill twice and in his opinion he found
nothing of concern in it He explained that the bill relates to the Elmhurst Builders
litigation, the transition between Attorney Kubiesa when the prior Village Board insisted
that he be removed from the case and given to Attorney De Ano, the Village Board's
refection of Mr De Ano and the insistence that it move to yet a third attorney. He is
ILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Minutes Page 3 of 23 May 24, 2005
14
May 26, 2005
The Honorable Rod R. Blagojevich
207 State House
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Re: HB1338
Firefighters Eligible for Public Office
Dear Governor Blagojevich:
On behalf of the Village of Oak Brook, we wish to express our strong
opposition to HB1338. Attached please find Resolution 2005- GL -FD -Ri 909
which was passed at our Board of Trustees' meeting on May 24, 2005.
HB1338, which passed both houses on May 19, 2005, allows municipal
firefighters to become elected or appointed officials in the municipality in which
they are employed.
Not only does this legislation create serious conflicts of interest, it ignores the
inherent concern of a person serving both as employee and employer. All
budget issues, labor negotiations or allocation of resources will cause conflict
with this elected official /firefighter and avoiding these conflicts is not realistic.
A major impact of HB1338, however, is that the door for other employee
groups to request eligibility for public office is now opened. Therefore, the
Village of Oak Brook respectfully urges you to veto HB1338.
We appreciate your prompt attention to this vital matter. Should you require
further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at (630) 990 -3000
Sincerely,
Kevin Quinlan Linda K. Gonnella, CMC
Village President Village Clerk