Resolution 2012-01 .................................. 2 The Director’s Corner ............................... 3 Message from the President..................... 3 Message from the President-Elect ............ 4 Coalition for Qualified Plan Status Update ... 5 Department of Insurance Opinions ........... 6 Pension Underfunding Crisis Still Looms .. 7 Court Cases - A Legal Update.................. 8 Years of Cover Up12 Washington Park Compliance Hearing ....... 8 Courage to be Safe - Everyone Goes Home .. 14 2013 Spring Pension Seminar .................. 14 Motorola Grants Help with I.F.S.I. Tuition . 15 I. F. S. I. Update....................................... 16 Membership Updates ............................... 17 FF Medal of Honor Ceremony .................. 19 Illinois State Fair.20 DAY DATE SHIFT TOPIC Friday May 3 Gold Spring Pension Seminar Wed. May 8 Red Board Meeting Sat. Aug. 10 Gold I.P.F.A. Day at the State Fair Wed. Aug. 14 Black Board Meeting Wed. Oct. 9 Gold Annual Meeting Friday Nov. 1 Red Fall Pension Seminar Size-Up Editor Terry Cox gives Ralph Webster, chairman of the Courage to be Safe Task Force, I.P.F.A. Resolution 2012- 01 at a recent IFSI Advisory meeting held at the Fire Service Institute in Champaign. The Resolution is shown on page 2 of this issue. A related article also appears on page 14. SAVE THE DATE
Size-Up Editor Terry Cox gives Ralph Webster, chairman of the Courage to be Safe Task Force, I.P.F.A. Resolution 2012-01 at a recent IFSI Advisory meeting held at the Fire Service Institute in Champaign. The Resolution is shown on page 2 of this issue. A related article also appears on page 14.
SAVE THE DATE
ŀ - 2 -
- 3 -
THE DIRECTOR’S CORNER Greg Knoll, Executive Director Our 2012 seminars both saw increased attendance and exhibitor registration over 2011 levels. We enjoyed hearing from Senator Kirk Dillard at the spring seminar and look forward to the upcoming spring seminar on a gold shift, Friday, May 3rd. Look for detailed information in the March mailing. Remember that seminar topics come from our membership and those who attend previous seminars and complete their response forms. Write or e-mail us your suggestions for future seminars. Membership has remained at the same level. I want to thank all of you who have paid 2013 dues in a timely manner. Prompt dues payments keeps Association expenses down. The O.S.F.M. is working towards an update to the Life Safety Code. There are still too many fire service and civilian injuries and deaths. An update to this code will provide for a safer environment for the citizens we protect. The Illinois Fire Service Institute saw a change in Directors. The Advisory Committee had input in the selection process, and we welcome Royal Mortenson as the new Director. He continues the same strong attitude about training and education. The biggest issue facing I.P.F.A. and all public sector employees in Illinois is pensions. You will see a concentration about this topic in this and future Size-Ups. We mailed all I.P.F.A. members, and all Illinois fire and police pension fund secretaries the information about Proposition 49. The constitutional amendment did not pass. We began an educational effort at the spring 2012 seminar concerning all public pensions in Illinois. Everyone needs to know that there are 18 public retirement systems in the state, funded by 4 major groups. The issue affecting the State’s budget and bond rating only applies to the 5 systems funded by the state: downstate teachers, state employees, state university employees, the General Assembly, and the judge’s retirement system. Cook County funds three systems and the City of Chicago funds seven systems. That leaves the three “Other Government” financed systems: Article 3 (downstate police), Article 4 (downstate fire) and Illinois Municipal Retirement System that covers local government employees.
Everyone also needs to know the I.P.F.A. maintains a database that shows the individual funding levels for every Article 4 fund in the state. If you would like a copy of the spreadsheet showing the status of the 18 state retirement systems, or a copy of your fund’s individual funding history just contact the office. This issue leads with Courage to be Safe. Read the Resolution because I believe the data shows all of us we need to take responsibility for ourselves, what we do, and how we do it. I end with the same closing – I need to hear how you feel about I.P.F.A. and how we are doing. Let me know and I promise you the Board will be notified and you will get a response. Be safe, take care of your partners, and have fun.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Timothy S. Clemens, Board President
This will be the last message from me, as I have served two terms as President of the Association. The By-Laws only allow for two consecutive terms as President. Tony Novak will be taking over the reins as President of the Illinois Professional Firefighters Association at our February Board meeting. I will still be involved as Vice-President and am still interested in assisting Greg Knoll and Tony with the operations of the Association. This past year has seen many pension attacks: on the news, in the papers, on the radio, and in many towns, cities, and villages. Our Association has spent considerable time and expense in meetings and on the phone trying to keep the Legislature from punishing us for some of the municipalities or districts failure to fund our pensions. During the Lame Duck session we were fortunate enough not to be “on the table”, but we were vigilant and kept track of any legislation that remotely smelled like changes to our pensions. We now have some new faces to meet and some educating to do with the new Legislators. We know that reform, in one form or another, will be coming. We will be doing our best to minimize its impact, if any, on Article 4 Pensions. As always, your Association will continue its duty as your pension protectors.
- 4 -
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – ELECT
Tony Novak, 2013 Board President Happy New Year to you, your families and friends. My name is Tony Novak, retired Fire Lieutenant from North Riverside Fire Department. I was a paid-on-call for 5 years and full-time for 23 years. I like helping people and loved the fire service. Every day was different at the station, some days busier than others. Bottom line, we all love helping people, that is why we became firefighters. I started full-time in November 1974. My Chiefs' name was Leroy Bensfield. My first day on the job, Chief Bensfield called me into his office. He told me that my first priority was to be a good firefighter and do my job well. The second priority was to get involved with the fire pension fund and to protect our pension rights and benefits. At the time, I had no clue what was involved, other than I would receive a pension after I retired from the fire service. In January 1975, I joined I.P.F.A. and Gene Baker was the director at the time. I enjoyed reading the Size-Up and attending the annual pension seminar in November each year. I met many new people at the seminar each year and learned very valuable information. I knew I could call the I.P.F.A. office anytime if I had a question for our department. I quickly understood what Chief Bensfield told me. The fire pension fund is very valuable
and everyone needs to know how it works, understand the pension laws, invest the fund's money wisely and protect the fire pension system for disabled firefighters, current and future retirees. Within a few years I was elected to our pension board. I was very active as a board member and devoted much of my time learning and protecting our pension fund. I was a board member for 16 years and passed on pension information to the members of my department. When one of our firefighters showed interest in becoming a board member, I decided not to run for re-election. I thought it would be a good idea to help new board members while I was still active. This way, when I retired, I knew our pension board would be in good hands. All our board members felt the same way. Let's help train new board members before we retire. Many of us did not take a lot of interest in our pension fund when we first started on the job. Even after being on the job for a while, we did not know what our benefits were, or understood the pension laws and many of us would never consider being on the pension board. People would say it is always easier for the next person to be on the board, or I am far too busy to devote any time to be a board member, especially now with all the certification hours that are required. Please do not think like that and fall into that trap. I think there are people out there hoping that firefighters get discouraged and decide not to be board members. If that happened, we
- 5 -
would lose control and someone else, who we do not know, would be making the decision for our future and our families. In 1979, North Riverside Fire Department chartered our Union, IAFF Local 2714. It was a long time coming, but we finally made it. Local 2714 provided better wages, benefits and working conditions. At that time some members said, now that we are union, there is no need to be a member of I.P.F.A. I disagreed- I.P.F.A. is our pension protector. This organization devotes 100% of their efforts for our pension benefits. The annual dues are very reasonable: Active- $60, Retired- $30, Disabled- $30. Group dues are also available with a savings of 10%. Your foreign fire tax money may be used to pay for group dues. It makes good sense to have as many organizations as possible to fight for our pension benefits. If we don't fight for ourselves, no one else will. Remember, our pension benefits also cover our spouses and dependants. Illinois firefighter pension system is one of the best in our nation. Let's all stick together so we can keep it one of the best systems. In 1990, Jack Cadagin, I.P.F.A. Board member, called me and asked me to meet with him. I had known Jack for several years now. He said, Tony, we need younger people like yourself to help out and become active with the I.P.F.A. board. Board members do not last forever. Hearing that from Jack made very good sense- how can anyone dispute that fact? I chose to become a very active I.P.F.A. board member 23 years ago and I am still very active today. Jack Cadagin is right; we always need new people to get involved. Now I am asking all of you to consider being an I.P.F.A. board member. We can always use your ideas and help in running the I.P.F.A. office. We have been in existence for over 50 years and still going strong. If you are interested in filling this obligation, please contact the I.P.F.A. office today. COALITION FOR QUALIFIED PLAN STATUS
UPDATE
Gregory Knoll, I.P.F.A. Executive Director In 2008 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) raised concerns about downstate pension funds meeting the definition of a qualified pension plan. The IRS is responsible for reviewing the statutes and administrative rules of the pension funds to determine if they comply with federal regulations. The major impact of this review was maintaining the ability for active fund participants to make pre-tax contributions to the fund. Two choices were considered to comply with the IRS requirements deadline of January 31, 2009. The first
was to have each of the over 600 Article 3 and 4 funds obtain individual determination letters stating that the plan was qualified. The other was to form a coalition of downstate fire and police funds. This coalition of funds would provide a large economy of scale to provide funding to obtain and maintain qualified plan status for all downstate firefighter and police pension funds. The Coalition was formed to obtain and maintain Qualified Plan Status for all Article 4 (Downstate Fire) and Article 3 (Downstate Police) Pension Funds. Besides I.P.F.A., the coalition includes the other following organizations: AFFI, IGFOA, ILFOP, IPPFA, and MAP. The Illinois Department of Insurance, a law firm with experience in governmental pension plans, and the accounting firm of Lauterbach & Amen are also a part of this coalition. The group established a five year plan. A contribution amount of $400 per fund was calculated to pay the expenses of this five year plan. Funds collected are controlled by the Coalition in a separate account. Coalition accounting services are provided by Lauterbach & Amen. Since the formation of the coalition, determination letters were successfully obtained for Article 3 and Article 4 pension funds. These letters are valid through January, 2014 with annual maintenance provided by the coalition. At that point, the determination letters will have to be renewed. A review of the records indicates that not all of the Article 3 and 4 funds have made their 2009-14 payment to the Coalition for Qualified Plan Status. This is a reminder to all of those funds to make their payment. Any coalition funds that may be outstanding at the end of the initial 5 year period will be used for the renewal and maintenance process for the next 5 year period. Our funds are perpetual in nature and maintaining IRS Qualified Plan Status is an ongoing process that should be continued. If you are not sure your fire or police pension fund has made its payment, you can e-mail us, call the IPFA office or log on to www.lauterbachamen.com and click on the Pension Coalition tab.
DATES TO REMEMBER
May 3rd
, Friday – Spring Pension Seminar May 8
th, Wednesday – Board Meeting
August 10th, Saturday – I.P.F.A . Day at the State Fair
August 14th, Wednesday – Board Meeting
October 9th, Wednesday – Annual Meeting
November 1st, Friday – Fall Pension Seminar
Call, write, or e-mail the office if you need more information about any of the above events.
$2.5 million - $5 million 6% $5 million - $10 million 6.5%
Over $10 million 6.75% The DOI states that these updated actuarial assumptions will most likely result in higher annual employer contribution requirements. The DOI reports that Article 3 and Article 4 funds with annual statements
that have been filed and accepted by the DOI by October 12, 2012, will have a suggested levy produced and available no later than November 30, 2012. Funds still have the option of utilizing the DOI recommended levy or retaining an independent enrolled actuary.
2. 2. DOI Comments on Whether Funds of $10 Million or More May Go to 65% Equity. In a recent advisory opinion from the Illinois Department of Insurance, the issue of whether Article 3 and 4 pension funds with assets in excess of $10 million may invest up to 65% in equities was addressed. Per 40 ILCS 5/1-113.4a, Police and Fire pension funds meeting the $10 million or greater asset requirement may invest up to 55% in equity, as authorized under that statute. Separately, 40 ILCS 5/1-113.2(13) allows up to 10% of a police or fire pension fund’s net assets to be invested in separate accounts managed by life insurance companies, authorized to transact business in Illinois, and mutual funds meeting the requirements of §113.2(13), which are comprised of diversified portfolios of “common or preferred stocks, bonds, or money market instruments.” The Public Pension Division’s opinion interprets the language of §1-113.4a, allowing 55% in equities in the investment vehicles as specified in §1-113.4a, §1-113.4, and §1-113.3, to be in addition to the up to 10% of assets provided for under §1-113.2(13), provided those investments meet the requirements as authorized under that section. The DOI further feels that the legislature’s intent in §1-113.4a was to include the up to 10% found under §1-113.2(13) as an aggregate part of the 55%
- 7 -
total authorization in certain equity type investments, not in addition to it. As a result, future legislation may be proposed in an attempt to clarify the issue. Of course, while the 65% equity allocation may be permissible, it may not be a prudent investment for pension boards. Information conveyed through this summary should not be construed as legal or investment advice. Consult an attorney or investment professional with questions. DOI advisory opinions are not legal opinions. 3. DOI Advisory Opinion Issued Regarding Deferred Pensioners and Beneficiaries. On March 27, 2012 the DOI issued an advisory opinion relating to the eligibility of deferred pensioners and beneficiaries to vote and hold office as a pension board trustee.
Deferred pensioners are former firefighters and police officers who have sufficient creditable service to receive benefits, but have not yet reached the age to collect. A deferred pensioner who is a member of a downstate firefighters’ pension fund is allowed to vote and run for the retired member position on the pension board. However, deferred pensioners who are members of a downstate police pension fund are not allowed to vote or run for a position on the pension fund. With regard to surviving spouses (i.e. widows and widowers), the results are different. A surviving spouse of a firefighter is not allowed to vote or run for office. However, the surviving spouse of a police officer is allowed to vote and hold the beneficiary position on the pension board.
4. DOI Comments on Pension Trustee Training Requirements. In another recent opinion from the DOI, the definition of training period was clarified for pension board trustees. 40 ILCS 5/1-109.3 sets forth the training requirements for trustees: 16 hours of continuing education each year, after the first year of election or appointment. That statute goes on to say that if a board member does not timely complete their training, they are not eligible to serve on the board. After an additional 6 month grace period, a special election or a mayoral appointment shall choose a successor for the unexpired term. For any trustee on a board as of the effective date of that legislation – August 13, 2009 – their annual training period is defined as August 13 – August 12 each year until they leave the board. For those trustees elected after August 13, 2009 the annual training period would begin on the election date or appointment date each year. The fiscal year of a fund does not represent the correct measurement of the training period.
Members removed from the board are ineligible to immediately refill the same trustee position, but are eligible for future elected or appointed seats on the board. 5. DOI Advisory Opinion on Equity Level for Funds with Assets in Excess of $10 Million. In yet another Department of Insurance’s advisory opinion issued pertinent to pension funds, the DOI has commented on equity investment levels for pension funds with assets in excess of $10 million.
The Public Pension Division interprets the investment of 55% of fund assets in equity allowed under 40 ILCS 5/1-113.4a to be in addition to the 10% allowed under 40 ILCS 5/1-113.2(13), provided that the 10% follows the investment requirements as specified in that section.
The opinion concludes with mention that it DOI understands the intent of §1-133.4a was to include the 10% limit as per §113.2(13) as an aggregate part of the 55% total equity investment (not in addition to it). Consequently, legislation may be proposed in the future to clarify the issue. PENSION UNDERFUNDING CRISIS STILL
LOOMS
Mark Mifflin, I.P.F.A. Lobbyist Illinois pensions are in crisis. This crisis undermines not only the present State pension structure, but also threatens the precarious budget process in Illinois. The current funding shortfall for state-wide pensions is approximately $96 billion and this amount increases by over $17 million per day. Everyone agrees that the solution to the pension crisis is two-fold: increase money contributed to the failing system and curtail pension benefits while at the same time necessarily protecting the constitutional rights of employees against the impairment of their pension benefits. The Illinois State Senate passed pension relief bills in the spring legislative session which generally provided employees/retirees with a choice of limiting their respective pensions. For example, the employees who chose to retain their full cost-of-living adjustment rights would forego future healthcare benefits. These types of choices for the employees are aimed at preserving the constitutionality of these limitations by offering the voluntary choice of foregoing rights which may not prove to be constitutionally protected while at the same time ensuring other benefits are maintained. The Senate bills were never considered in the House. During the last few days of the lame-duck legislative session in early January, Speaker Madigan removed a
- 8 -
major stumbling block when he lifted his requirement of cost-shifting from the State to downstate public schools for downstate teachers’ pension funding. This opened the door for a flurry of legislative activity in the House in an effort to address the pension crisis. Specifically, several bills were pursued which would have reduced or delayed cost-of-living adjustments for retirees while also increasing the contribution requirements of employees. Not surprisingly, unions were opposed to the new proposals on the basis that the foregoing of benefits by the employees was not warranted when the crisis was, in fact, primarily caused by underfunding from the State and that the reduction in benefits is unconstitutional. While some unions have shown a willingness to increase employee contributions by as much as two percent, even those unions have indicated that any such concession must include an iron-clad guarantee that the State will fulfill its pension funding obligations into the future. Without a clear consensus on how to address the pension problem and in light of the opposition of strong unions in the State, the House proposals were never called for a vote in the House. In the end, in a last ditch effort to pass some legislation, Governor Quinn even appeared in a House committee hearing to propose the creation of a Pension Review Commission to give power to eight individuals appointed by the legislative leaders to recommend pension reform which would be enacted unless the proposals were specifically rejected by a majority vote in both the House and the Senate. Ultimately, even this last ditch proposal to pass the buck from the legislature to the Commission could not garner enough support to be called for a vote in the House. There was no legislative solution passed in the 97
th Illinois General Assembly.
The new legislators were inaugurated as the 98
th
General Assembly on January 9, 2013. While the Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate in the previous legislature, they have now assumed an overwhelming and unprecedented supermajority in both the House (71-47) and the Senate (40-19). The ongoing pension crisis looms as the major issue in the new General Assembly. While the Democrats have assumed even stronger majorities, there is no indication of any consensus about how to address the problem. It may take a major jolt, such as a downgrade in the State’s credit rating which would impair the State’s borrowing authority, to put enough pressure on legislators to find common ground for a solution. It is important to emphasize that, as of now, the legislative focus is upon four or five of the State pension funds (depending upon whether the Judges’ fund is included). There have been no serious legislative efforts to tackle the similar underfunding problems which exist at the local level, including downstate fire and police funds. Mayors and local government officials, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, have long argued that
they should be included in the solution to the pension underfunding crisis because their local pension funds are likewise underfunded. It can be expected that these local fund issues will be addressed by the legislature if and when the state fund pension crisis has been addressed. The underfunding of public pensions on every level remains a major crisis in Illinois politics and government. The legislature remains gridlocked as to how to address the problem both in terms of where to find additional money and what measures to use to achieve financial savings while at the same time protecting the constitutional rights of employees/retirees. The Democrats’ supermajority in both the House and the Senate provides unprecedented power, but with it comes unprecedented responsibility. Republicans and Democrats need to set aside partisan differences and work for the common good in order to enable the legislature to preserve the pension rights of public employees, the solvency of pension funds and the fiscal condition of government.
Frank Farkas was married to the petitioner Loretta L. Kehoe for six (6) years while he was employed as a Schiller Park Police Officer. In 1988, a judgment for dissolution of marriage was entered, with a Marital Settlement Agreement and Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) incorporated into the judgment. As part of the Agreement, the Parties agreed that the ex-spouse would be entitled to one half of the value of the Officer’s pension from the date of his employment as a Police Officer with the Village of Schiller Park, to the date of separation of the Parties, which was August 31, 1985. The QDRO was to take effect upon the Officer’s retirement. The Officer apparently thought that was the end of it and moved on.
The Officer retired effective November 17, 2009. The Schiller Park Police Pension Board contacted the ex-spouse and informed her that because of the change in Illinois Law, Illinois Police Pension Funds will only pay
- 9 -
benefits pursuant to a Court entered Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Order (QILDRO), and that the Board was not required to honor a QDRO. The Officer’s ex-spouse sent him a QILDRO consent form, which he refused to sign. The ex-spouse then filed a Motion for Entry of a QILDRO, setting forth a formula which calculated the ex-spouse’s benefits by dividing the Officer’s Pension as of the date the pension went into pay status, as opposed to the date set forth in the judgment and initial QDRO. The Officer objected to her method of calculation of the pension arguing that the ex-spouse was only entitled to one half of the value of the pension from the date of marriage to the date of dissolution.
The Trial Court entered a written Order denying the ex-spouse’s Motion for Entry of QILDRO and ordered the Officer to pay the pension as per the original QDRO, 50% of the date of his pension as of the date of separation. The ex-spouse filed a Motion to Reconsider, which was denied. An Appeal followed. On Appeal the ex-spouse made a number of arguments. The Court found that it was entitled to interpret the terms of the Marital Settlement Agreement in the same manner as a contract. In other words, the Court’s objective was to give purpose and intent to the original Marital Settlement Agreement, at the time they entered into the Agreement, which should be given a fair and reasonable interpretation based upon all the language and provisions of that Marital Settlement Agreement and QDRO. Of significance was the specific detail language of the original Marital Settlement Agreement and QDRO, which the Court found was not silent as to the method in which the pension would be divided and the formula for determining pension apportionment at the time of dissolution of marriage. In essence, what the ex-spouse sought to do was to change the methodology previously agreed upon in the Marital Settlement Agreement and QDRO, by increasing her entitlement to allow the ex-spouse to receive benefits from the entire growth and value of the Officer’s pension from the date of dissolution to the date of the Officer’s retirement. Fortunately for the now retired Officer, the Court soundly rejected the ex-spouse’s arguments. §5/1-119 of the Illinois Pension Code, which went into effect July 1, 1999, contained specific statutory provisions per allowing an alternate payee of a voided QDRO, to petition the Court for an amended Order such as a QILDRO, which can comply with the new statutory provisions. However, that provision does not permit the ex-spouse another opportunity to formulate a method of apportionment, which would entitle her to greater share of the pension benefits that was originally agreed to in the Parties’ Settlement Agreement and QDRO. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the Trial Court’s finding that the ex-spouse was not entitled to more pension benefits than she originally agreed to in the original
Marital Settlement Agreement and QDRO. However, the case was remanded to the Trial Court for entry of an appropriate QLDRO, spelling out the terms of the original Settlement Agreement and initial QDRO. Justice Garcia dissenting. What apparently saved the day here was, the detailed and specific provisions of the Marital Settlement Agreement and QDRO, which prohibited the ex-spouse from revisiting this issue, once the QLDRO provisions went into effect. � 2. Florida Trial Court Rejects Florida Legislature’s Attempts to Reduce Pensions. Williams, et al. v. Scott, et al. Case No. 2011 CA 1584, Circuit Court of Leon County Florida; Judge Fulford, Judge presiding; issued March 6, 2012. While not an Illinois case, this case is interesting for
those of you who are following the nationwide pension “jihad.” This is a Florida Trial Court case granting summary judgment in favor of members and participants of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), challenging the provisions of Senate Bill 2100 that mandate a deduction of 3% from the gross compensation of employees in FRS to serve as contributions towards the employers retirement benefits under the plan, and to eliminate Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for service credits earned after July 1, 2011. The case discussed herein is the Trial Court’s granting of a Motion for Summary Judgment (meaning since there are no contested issues of fact, plaintiffs are entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and there was no trial) in favor of the Plaintiffs, and an Appeal will no doubt follow. In 1974, the Florida legislature changed the FRS to a
mandatory, non contributory pension system. At the same time the legislature added a provision to the Florida statutes, which provides as follows:
“The rights of members of the retirement system established by this chapter shall not be impaired by virtue of the conversion of the Florida retirement system to an employee non contributory system. As of the effective date of this act, the rights of members of the retirement system established by this chapter are declared to be of a contractual nature, entered into between the member and state, and such rights shall be legally enforceable as valid contractual rights and shall not be abridged in any way.”
-Continued on page 11-
- 10 -
- 11 -
-Continued from page 9-
Does this sound familiar? This statutory provision is similar, but not identical, to the provision of Article 13, §5 of the Illinois Constitution, which protects membership in Illinois Public Pension systems. Anyway, throughout the thirty-seven (37) years since the adoption of that provision by the Florida legislature, FRS remained a non contributory system and also provided retirees annual COLA increases throughout their retirement.
In 2011 the Florida legislature, when faced with a budget short fall turned to the employees of FRS, and passed Senate Bill 2100 effective July 1, 2011. Most of the changes applied only to employees enrolled in FRS after the Bill’s effective date. However, Senate Bill 2100 had two significant changes to FRS: to employees who were FRS members prior to July 1, 2011; 1) the mandatory 3% employee contribution and 2) the elimination of COLA increases. Senate Bill 2100 significantly decreases the amount employers must contribute to FRS for the benefit of their employees by more than half for nearly every membership class. The Plaintiffs challenged the legality of Senate Bill 2100
on a number of theories. First that the changes to FRS violated the contractual rights conferred upon them by the above referenced Florida statutory provision, and thus constituted impairment of contract in violation of the Florida Constitution. In addition, the Plaintiffs also asserted that the changes constituted taking in violation of Article X, § 6 of the Florida Constitution and that the changes violate their rights to engage in collective bargaining protected by Article I, § 6 of the Florida Constitution. The trial court first addressed the “impairment of contract claim.” The changes at issue in this case constituted a complete change in the plan from a non-contributory to a contributory plan, and the elimination of COLA adjustments, were held to be qualitative changes to the plan, not changes to the individual components of future accruals within the plan. The Court held that the above-referenced Florida provision cannot be read to allow the Legislature to redefine established unconditional contractual rights. Such a reading would render the express contract created by the above-referenced statutory provision “wholly illusory,” said the Court. While the Legislature is capable of making prospective alterations to benefits, neither that statutory provision, nor case law, authorizes the Legislature to change the fundamental nature of the plan itself. In addition, the Court held that the plaintiffs’ claim did not end with an impairment inquiry. For an impairment of a contract to be unconstitutional, it must also be “substantial.” In this case, the unrebuted evidence presented by the Plaintiffs’ demonstrated that the costs of the changes to the individual plaintiffs’ ranged from $12,445.81 to $329,683.56, over the span of their working years and
retirement if they received no further salary raises. In addition, the elimination of future COLA increases alone would result in a 4% to 24% reduction in the plaintiffs’ total retirement income. The Court held the “cost” impact was “substantial” as a matter of law. The final step of the impairment analysis was a determination by the Court whether the impairment was both reasonable and necessary to serve an important public purpose. In order for the State to justify impairment of its contractual obligations, it must demonstrate a “compelling state interest.” The Court found the fact that the State faced a significant budget shortfall alone was insufficient. The undisputed record contained evidence that there were other reasonable alternatives which existed to preserve the State’s contract with FRS members. The Court held that the State could reduce its financial obligations whenever it wanted to spend money for what it regarded as an important public purpose, the contract clause would provide no protection at all. The Court also soundly rejected the “takings claim” and “collective bargaining claim” asserted by the plaintiffs. Summary Judgment was entered on behalf of plaintiffs, and the defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment was denied. The Court struck down that portion of Senate Bill 2100 imposing a three percent (3%) mandatory employee contribution and eliminating the COLA increases for future service, as unconstitutional, as applied to FRS members who were members prior to July 1, 2011, and the State was permanently enjoined from implementing those provisions of Senate Bill 2100 as to those Plaintiffs. (Stay tuned!) � 3. Pension Boards May Be Subject to Class Action Liability; Watch for ‘Systematic Miscalculation’ Hooker v. Retirement Board of the Firemen’s Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago, 2012 ILApp. 111625 (1st Dist.). In May, Illinois’ First District Appellate Court considered a case involving benefits for surviving spouses collecting under Article 6 (Chicago Fire) of the Illinois Pension Code. This is the case’s second trip to the appellate court and, based on the way the decision came out, we may have not heard the last of this case. In 1988, Chicago Firefighter Michael Hooker suffered a
debilitating injury in the line of duty. Firefighter Hooker died in 2000. The Board then awarded Mrs. Hooker the minimum “widow’s” annuity. Mrs. Hooker challenged the Board’s decision, arguing she was entitled to line-of-duty death benefits. The trial court agreed. The Board appealed, but the appellate court sided with Mrs. Hooker and against the Board. See Hooker v. Retirement Bd. of the Firemen’s Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago, 391 Ill.App.3d 129 (2009) (referred herein as “Hooker I”).
- 12 -
In 2004, while Hooker I was pending, the Illinois State Legislature passed P.A. 93-654. This act amended the code to include “duty availability pay” (“DAP”) as part of the pensionable salary of some employees, including the late Firefighter Hooker. The Board refused to include DAP into Mrs. Hooker’s benefit. In light of that consideration, Mrs. Hooker returned to the Circuit Court of Cook County. This time, Mrs. Hooker filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of all similarly situated surviving spouses. The Board argued the surviving spouses were not entitled to have DAP increase the amount of her pension because the late Mr. Hooker had never been paid DAP. The circuit court agreed with the Board and refused to certify the class. Mrs. Hooker appealed. The appellate court reversed the trial court’s decision. In rejecting the Board’s argument, the court explained:
“We agree with the Board that for any calculation based on the salaries [firefighters] received, the Board should not include duty availability pay in the calculation. However, the legislature expressly chose to make the [surviving spouse] annuity in section 6-140 depend on the ‘current annual salary attached to the classified position to which the fireman was certified at the time of his death,’ and not on the salary the fireman received.”
In light of this analysis, the court concluded Mrs. Hooker’s pension should include DAP. The appellate court also held the trial court erred by refusing to certify a class. The trial court and the Board believed the administrative review law, under which all pension board decisions are able to be challenged, were not subject to a class action lawsuit. However, the appellate court held, “The Administrative Review Law does not preclude a class action to correct the Board’s systematic miscalculation of the annuities owed class members.” The court further explained, “a class action should serve as an efficient means of resolving the issue.” Mrs. Hooker died on September 20, 2010, while the appeal was pending. The court refused to determine whether the Board was required to pay Mrs. Hooker’s estate the sum owed. The court instructed the trial court to deal with this matter. While this case solely deals with Article 6 of the Pension Code, it provides some insight as to how pension statutes are construed by the courts. Moreover, it gives some traction to the argument that when pensions are
miscalculated due to a “systematic miscalculation” they may be subject to review and correction. At the same time, this case shows when pension boards make errors they may be subject to class action liability. � 4. Michigan Trial Court Strikes Down Pension Law as Unconstitutional On September 28, 2012, a State Court Judge struck down Michigan’s mandate for State employees to make pension contributions equaling 4% of their salary. In 2011, Michigan’s Legislature enacted Public Act 264. The Act required State employees to choose between having their benefits frozen (and joining a defined contribution plan) or contributing 4% of their salary toward the pension fund. The ruling found the Act infringed on the constitutionally guaranteed powers of Michigan’s Civil Service Commission to determine the “rates of compensation” of State employees. The Court explained: “The Court will not belabor what is clearly the latest attempt by Michigan’s Legislature to delve into the realm of decision-making power held by the Commission. Ample authority exists to support Plaintiff’s position that the Legislature can neither regulate the conditions of employment in the classified service nor fix rates of compensation. A similar attempt was at issue in AFSCME Council 25 v State Employees Ret Sys, 294 Mich App 1 (2011), Iv denied 490 Mich 935 (2011), where the Court of Appeals affirmed the Court of Claims’ ruling that a statute (MCL 38.35) requiring a three percent employee compensation contribution to finance retiree health care was unconstitutional.” The State is expected to appeal this case. The public safety pension and labor attorneys at Reimer & Karlson LLC are monitoring and will provide updates regarding this developing matter. �
YEARS OF COVER UP
Terry B. Cox, Size-Up Editor Some firefighters feel as if they might be forced into changes to their retirement system that may not be needed. They feel that bigger repairs are being suggested that might be needed. They wonder if the pension system is not truly broken beyond repair. Some of our leaders seem to be looking for a quick fix rather than focusing on the real cause of underfunding. Decades of employer neglect have caused us to be where we are today. Firefighters believe and depend on the Illinois constitution to protect the benefits they have paid for and earned. Active participants made timely, proper
- 13 -
contributions towards their retirement/disability/survivor benefits, in some cases for well over thirty years. They wonder why someone would consider asking them to consider a reduced benefit they feel they paid for. The major item to make fund balances get to an acceptable level is proper funding. Each year, make an accurate calculation of active employee contributions, and calculate a tax levy using realistic assumptions for investment income. Do not allow for pension holidays, unrealistic assumptions, or overly restrictive investment guidelines. Do not allow employers to deviate from their responsibility to properly fund retirement systems. Past practice was a negotiated agreed bill process. Legislative committees held hearings that included input from various parties and actuarial calculations. Cost increases sometimes involved increasing employee contributions, or changing funding formulas, or extending funding periods. Some legislation impacted more than one aspect. Organizations that represented the employers and organizations that represented participants had their input. If passed, the appropriate employee contributions were adjusted based on the language of the legislation. Actuarial calculations and tax levy amounts were also adjusted accordingly. I believe that fund participants should receive the benefits they earned through their creditable service time and the timely, proper payment of their employee contributions.
WASHINGTON PARK COMPLIANCE HEARING
Tim Clemens, IPFA Vice-President On January 23, 2013 the Illinois Department of Insurance held a Non-Compliance Hearing involving the Village of Washington Park, Illinois. Illinois Professional Firefighters Association attended the Non-Compliance Hearing concerning the Village’s actions or lack of actions concerning the Firemen’s Pension Fund. I.P.F.A. became involved in this matter after the governor’s office notified us of this issue and asked if we could be of any assistance. Washington Park has been charged with non-compliance with Article 4 of the Pension Statute. They have failed to file complete Annual Reports, make
contributions, and failure to pay retiree pensions. Two of the three fire retirees filed suit and sued Washington Park for reinstatement of their pensions and back pay to when their pensions were stopped. They won a judgment against Washington Park. Dale Cleveland, the third retiree, was not a part of the lawsuit and was not included in the judgment. Dale’s wife had tried to get help reinstating her husband’s pension to no avail. Mrs. Cleveland tried her State and U.S. Senators, Representatives, the Department of Insurance, and the Governor’s Office among others for assistance. Even though Dale Cleveland is not a member of I.P.F.A., we were asked to look into their plight. Executive Director Greg Knoll made contact with Mrs. Cleveland and offered our help. I.P.F.A. sent representatives to the hearing to offer support and weigh in on the problems facing Washington Park. We met with the D.O.I. after the hearing regarding this matter. We also offered help to the law firm representing Washington Park, which was welcomed by all parties. The Department of Insurance pleaded with the Hearing Officer to place daily fines on Washington Park while Washington Park pleaded that no fines be imposed and allow them to correct the numerous problems facing their City. The Hearing Officer concluded the three hour hearing without making a ruling. Stay tuned for further information on Washington Park and other towns that may be fined for non-compliance.
- 14 -
COURAGE TO BE SAFE – EVERYONE GOES HOME
Greg Knoll, Executive Director Resolution 2012-01 is printed on page 2 of this issue. The data speaks for itself – the fire service continues to need to pay close attention to everything we do. In quarters, enroute to and return from responses or other duties, at emergency scene, on the training ground. Even in the personal aspect of your life. We need to pay attention so we can retire when we want and how we want. The Illinois Firefighter Life Safety Task Force was formed to educate the fire service about safe practices and encourage everyone to learn and practice the sixteen Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives. It is an effort to change the culture and behavior in the fire service. It strongly encourages everyone to take the seatbelt pledge. A seat belt video was sent to every fire department last year. The Taskforce continues to meet monthly in person or on conference calls. I.P.F.A. has been on the committee since it’s’ inception. We hand out the Task Force brochure as part of our pension seminar packets. If you have any questions concerning the program, the life safety initiatives, or the seatbelt pledge, you can check out the website www.ehgillinois.org, write, e-mail, or call the I.P.F.A. office.
2013 SPRING PENSION SEMINAR
Greg Knoll, I.P.F.A. Executive Director
The Spring Pension Seminar date has been set for Friday, May 3
rd, a gold shift. Combined with attendance
at the fall seminar, Pension Board Trustees can complete their continuing education retirement mandated by State Statute. The seminar is also attended by other I.P.F.A. members who have requested a specific topic or have an interest is one or more of the presentations. Space has again been reserved at the Empress Banquets on Lake Street in Addison. This location is convenient to the entire Chicago metropolitan area and is easily reached from any direction. Tentative topics include an update from our lobbyist concerning pension legislation, details from the Department of Insurance concerning the issues explained in one of Rick Reimer’s articles. Our Board Counsel will also cover recent court decisions impacting pension boards. We are reaching out to the Social Security Administration for a representative to describe and give examples of public pension offset to participants that do not contribute to Social Security as part of their fire service employee deductions. They will also describe the impact to survivor benefits for firefighters or their spouses. If you are looking to increase your knowledge of the pension system, meet other concerned fire and police fund trustees, browse the exhibits, and have a great lunch, mark your calendar for May 3
rd in Addison. Full
details about topics, presenters, and other information will be mailed to all members and fire and police pension board secretaries in March. Please remember that the Board reviews all suggestions offered by the membership and all of those who attend the spring and fall seminars. Write, call, or e-mail the office if you have a topic and/or presenter you would like to see at a future seminar.
STATE FAIR REMINDER
Remember the Saturday, August 10th, a gold shift is the
day I.P.F.A. members and their families volunteer to man the fire service tent and displays at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Current members get a hotel room and volunteer T shirts for their efforts. Write, call, or e-mail the office if you have questions.
- 15 -
Motorola Grants Help with IFSI Academy Tuition
Champaign, IL. January 8, 2013. The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) has received a grant from the Motorola Foundation to help offset the cost of IFSI’s Basic Firefighter/NFPA Firefighter 1 Academy. The seven week program – expanded from six weeks – will be $900 less per student for the two 2013 academies.
According to Brad Bone, Director of Fire Fighting Programs for IFSI, “We realized the tuition increase for the seven-week academy would put the cost of Academy above what many departments may have already budgeted. We applied for and received a grant from the Motorola Foundation so that each student enrolled in the 2013 spring or fall Academy will receive a $900 tuition discount, making tuition just $2100 per student per academy.” Bone added that the grant is only available for the 2013 academies. The decision to increase the Fire Academy from six week to seven weeks came earlier this year at the request of fire chiefs across Illinois. Six additional topics are being added: Courage to be Safe, HazMat Awareness, Technical Rescue Awareness, Fire Service Vehicle Operator, NIMS 100 and NIMS 700. IFSI’s Academy is one of the last in the country to offer hands-on, live-fire training in real life scenarios. Academy students benefit from a five-to-one student to instructor ratio and access to more than 100 skill-based drills, of which about 50 percent are in smoke and/or fire. The curriculum for IFSI’s Academy exceeds the minimum requirements for Illinois’ Office of the State Fire Marshal. To further enhance students’ and departments’ access to training, HazMat Operations and Vehicle Machinery Operations are offered immediately following the end of Academy. HazMat Ops is offered the week after Academy graduation with tuition waived under funding from the Department of Homeland Security. Vehicle Machinery Operations is offered two weeks after Aademy graduation and has a separate tuition fee of $400.
The Spring 2013 Academy begins on March 4, 2013. The Fall Academy begins on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 and includes four 10-hour days the first week to accommodate the Labor Day Holiday. The Illinois Fire Service Institute is the State Fire Academy for Illinois. In addition to training provided at its Champaign campus, the institute offers hands-on classes for fire departments at Regional Training Centers and local fire stations across the State. The mission of the Illinois Fire Service Institute is to help firefighters do their work through training, education, information and research. For more Institute information, call 217-333-3800.
I.P.F.A. MEMBERS IS YOUR e-mail ADDRESS CURRENT?
Those of you who have furnished your e-mail address as part of your membership information are helping to keep costs down. You also get your issue 3 to 5 days sooner than those who get a paper copy of the Size-Up. Not sure we have your correct e-mail address, write us at [email protected]. Thanks for doing your part to keep our printing and postage expenses under control.
- 16 -
Illinois Fire Service Institute Updates
Roger D. Lunt, I.F.S.I. Deputy Director
“Down and Dirty” Fire Explorer and Fire Cadet Training
O’Fallon Fire Department March 9 Galesburg Fire Department, April 13 Quincy Fire Department, May 11 All training sessions are scheduled 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM. Registration forms are located on the IFSI website, or Contact our East Central Region Rep., Tim Meister, 1-217-202-4760, for greater details. “Down and Dirty” Fires on the Farm is offered in two formats. http://www.fsi.illinois.edu/content/distance%20learning/courses/fof.cfm is the link for information and the online course content. Students will receive an IFSI certificate upon successfully completing the course. The second format is provided via the new Down & Dirty Fires on the Farm CD. This has been mailed to all 1201 Illinois Fire departments as part of our partnership with the Illinois Firefighter’s Association. We suggest you add this CD-ROM format to your training library. Viewers can use the CD-ROM training package for group fire department attendance or use it for individual training. You can view the training modules in the order that they are provided in the training package or select the sections of special interest. Down & Dirty Fires on the Farm provides an overview of farm fires and brings strategies, tactics, operations and water supply logistics together. Today, rural fire departments can extinguish most farm fires. Emphasizing pre-planning, thinking "beyond your own back yard" and encouraging joint training and practice, rural fires can have successful outcomes. The training covers response capabilities, strengths and weaknesses of the department as well as considerations for farm fires in buildings, areas involving common farm chemicals, machinery, fields and/or crops. IFSI to Expand Fire Academy The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) is expanding the Basic Firefighter/NFPA Firefighter 1 Academy from six weeks to seven weeks. The change and the additional integrated classes are at the request of fire chiefs across Illinois. Beginning with the Spring 2013 Academy, six additional topics are being added: Courage to be Safe, HazMat Awareness, Technical Rescue Awareness, Fire Service Vehicle , NIMS 100 and NIMS 700.
IFSI has received a grant from the Motorola Foundation to help offset the cost of IFSI's Basic Firefighter/NFPA Firefighter 1 Academy. The seven week program will be $900 less per student for the Spring and Fall 2013 academies, making tuition $2100 per student per academy (for 2013 only). IFSI Staff travel to Quantico Marine Base In support of the IFSI Fire Service Leadership training development project on December 9
th a team from IFSI
traveled to the Quantico Marine Base, Quantico Virginia. The IFSI team was represented by Deputy Director Lunt, Associate Director Brauer, Fire Officer Program Director Lake, and Chicago Metro Regional Representative Stack. The goals of the trip were to identify consistent leadership themes, consistent curriculum areas, and ways to “train” leadership and complex pressurized decision making. We were able to learn from the USMC a cradle-to-grave leadership development, training and education concept and the process that goes from the enlisted ranks through the ranks of Lieutenants, Captains, Majors and Lt Colonels, Colonels and General. We were exposed to numerous training and educational methods such as tactical decision games, ethical decision games, moral decision games/dilemmas, small group discussions, and sand-table exercises including small unit decision training. You can expect to hear much more about this trip and the Leadership development training from Director Mortenson. IFSI Burn Team Development It is the policy of the Illinois Fire Service Institute to provide Live Burn Training in acquired structures in the safest possible manner and under the safest possible conditions. This includes providing qualified, well trained, and experienced instructors to conduct live fire training in acquired structures. The Illinois Fire Service Institute has been conducting live fire training in acquired structures safely for over 50 years. In 1986, the NFPA published Standard #1403 Live Fire Training Evolutions in Structures in response to concerns related to incidents involving firefighter deaths during live fire training. While IFSI was not involved in any of the fatal incidents, it does recognize the need for strict guidelines for instructors and students participating in live fire training. IFSI provides this document to all instructors who meet the qualifications for approval to be a member of the Live Burn Team. The first Live Burn Team was established in 1990’s, and all members were provided with live burn procedures, training, and equipment needed to conduct
- 17 -
live burns in acquired structures. In November of 2012, Director Royal P. Mortenson requested that this policy/procedure be updated. On January 1, 2013 new training and education requirements were implemented for acquired structure live fire training instructors. The requirements follow the already established IFSI 5-step learning model. While never minimizing the value of properly prepped structures, fuel loads, water supplies, etc., the success of these training sessions is rooted in responsible, knowledgeable, and safety conscious instructors. It is our intent to continue a tradition of safe and realistic training with acquired structures, and better support our instructors responsible for the live fire training environment. IFSI New Program Managers Engine Company Operations Program - Tim Meister Truck Company Operations Program - Jim Vaughn Smoke Divers Program - Jason Demas FAST Program - Mike McCastland Light & Fight On Campus Program - Tom Rushing FAE/FSVO Program - Tal Prendergast RIT Program – Cary Coney National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Program –
Ralph Webster
Illinois Fire Service Institute Regional Representatives: These regional representatives are your important link to bringing IFSI training to your fire department. Northeast Region: Randy Schlichter - 847-343-4039 East Central Region: Tim Meister, 217-202-4760 Chicago Metro Area: Richard Stack, 773-988-0259 Central Region: Jim Vaughn, 309-275-2499 Metro-East Region: John Nichols, 618-973-2059 South Region: Tim Bragg, 217-962-1597 Northwest Region: Ray Palczynski, 563-468-8385 New Cornerstone Program Brochure If you have not received your copy, or if you have any questions regarding the training opportunities offered via the Cornerstone Program, please contact your IFSI Regional Representative.
NEW MEMBERS Associate Members
Ms. Amy Edwards
QCI Restoration
Ms. Courtney Ellis Marquette Wealth
Management
Ms. Barbara Foster John Hancock LTC
Mr. William Gregg Mr. Michael Howard Ms. Heather Ludlum Mr. Scott Schneider Great Lakes Advisors,
LLC
Ms. Terese Krafcheck MB Financial Bank
Mr. Keith Latz Lemont Pension Fund
Mrs. Teresa Madaj
Alper Services
Mr. Dan Murphy Curian Capital LLC
Mr. Robert H. Ridder
Bensenville Pension Fund
Mr. Michael R. Stuart
MB Financial Bank
Mr. Ronald Tomanek Graystone Consulting
Mr. Russell F. Wajda
Village of Hillside
Ms. Karen A. Wilhelm M.E.S.S.
Mr. Adam Winston
Glenwood Pension Fund
Mr. Ron Yori
M.E.S.S.
Bellwood FF Adam Brand FF Mario Golden FF Sean Kennedy
FF Nicholas Le Valley
Bensenville FF Richard A. Waychoff
Berwyn Engr. Jerry J. Marzullo
Broadview FF Brian P. Baszkowske
Brookfield FF/PMD David Joseph Andel FF/PMD Richard Dubin FF/PMD David Poskus
Cairo Chief Mike Brey, Sr. Country Club Hills
Chief Roger Agpawa
Elmhurst FF Laurence R. Turner
Elmwood Park FF Kevin Ferraro FF Corey Leber
FF Nicholas Mourning FF Kevin Will FF David Zinn
Evanston FF Robert Nelson
Glenview B/C Edward J. Lancioni
Glenwood FF/PMD Andy Bettenhausen FF/PMD Chris A. Pack
Highland Park FF Charles Ugaste
Hinsdale FF/EMT-P Nicholas McDonough FF/PMD Jared Skibbens PFF/PM Michael C. Wilson
Itasca Chief James F. Burke, Jr.
- 18 -
Lake Forest FF/PMD Patrick M. Issel Lieut. Wayne Robertson
Lake Zurich Chief David P. Wheelock
Lemont FF William Musselman
Leyden FF Thomas Medlyn FF/PMD Nolan Ryan FF Greg Sosnowski
Libertyville FF/PMD Michael Stanek
Mattoon Engr. Donald Arthur Hall
Maywood
PFF Daniel Barrett FF Phillip Brooks PFF James M. Buonincontro FF Matthew Lantgen
Melrose Park
FF Donald P. Andersen
Northlake FF Kevin Kalbach
Oak Brook FF/PMD Jake Arzer
Palatine Rural FF/PMD Anthony Christie FF/PMD Peter Retuerto FF/PMD Amy Jo Walter
River Forest FF Quentin Boyd FF/PMD Lucas Finfrock
Roberts Park Lieut. Clint M. Sanders FF/PMD Matthew Baetz
Rockford
Chief Derek Bergsten
Schaumburg FF/PMD David L. Sager, Jr.
Schiller Park FF/PMD Jessica Warden
Wilmette FF Richard W. Ciccione FF/PMD Edward R. Kofoed FF/PMD Scott M. Paczosa FF/PMD Richard C. Riggan II FF/PMD Michael J. Scheetz FF/PMD Kevin D. Schuman FF/PMD Daniel J. Walters FF/PMD Michael D. Wessel
Winfield
Lt. Timothy Roman FF Isaac Salazar PROMOTIONS
Bellwood
FF to Lt. Douglas Dombek Lt. to Capt. Larry Kaufman
Brookfield FF to FF/PMD Keith R. Wonsowski
Broadview Capt. to Chief Thomas D. Gaertner
Buffalo Grove
LT/PMD to Batt. Chief Shawn J. Collins
Deerfield-Bannockburn
Lt. to B/C James T. Bednarz
Des Plaines
FF/PMD to Lt. Jeffrey Vallee Lt. to B/C Bob Ward
Elmwood Park FF to Lt. Dennis Argyrakis FF to Lt. Joseph S. Drozd D/C to Chief Michael J. Ventura
Hinsdale FF/PMD to Lt. Jon Carlson FF/PMD to Lt. William H. Claybrook Lt. to Capt. David L. DeWolf Lt. to Capt. John Giannelli FF/PMD to Lt. Mike Neville Capt. to Chief Richard Ronovsky Homer Township
Lt. to Capt. Chris Locacius
Maywood Capt. to Chief Craig A. Bronaugh, Jr. FF to Lieut. David Hughes Lieut. to Capt. Sonya A. Thompson
Oak Brook FF/PMD to LT/PMD Michael D. Erickson
Oak Lawn Capt. to Bureau Chief Michael Scott Boman
Oswego F.P.D. B/C to D/C Michael J. Veseling
Palatine Capt. to B/C Douglas R. Hoyt
Palatine Rural B/C to A/C Jeff Dill
Pleasantview
Lt. to Capt. Kevin Mulligan
Riverside Lt. to D/C John Buckley
Roselle Capt. to Shift Comdr. Christopher Howell
Schaumburg
Lieut. to Capt. Daniel B. Johnson FF to Lieut. Jeffrey M. Knight
Schiller Park FF/PMD to LT/PMD Jerry Budnik
Skokie
Lieut. to Capt. Robert A. Reichert
Sycamore
A/C to Chief Peter S. Polarek
Wauconda FF/PM to Lt. Charles Buschick
Wilmette FF/PMD to LT/PMD Robert Brill RETIREMENTS
Addison
FF/INV Blake L. Deibel
Bloomingdale B/C Keith E. Boehne Chief David A. Christensen
Buffalo Grove FF Thomas Gough
Broadview Chief John Tierney
Elmwood Park
Lieut. Michael J. Tully Chief Michael J. Marino
Glenwood
FF/PMD Terrence Campbell
- 19 -
Great Lakes Chief Inspector. James W. Krause
Hinsdale FF/PMD Thomas J. Sener
Lombard B/C Ronald J. Rakosnik
Maywood Chief John Cadagin, Jr. FF James Samata
Melrose Park A/C Joseph Casale Capt. Richard Dalitto
Oak Brook FF Mark C. Bahnsen LT/PMD Mark S. Schoppe
Pleasantview Capt. Joseph E. Holakovsky
River Forest
Lt. John W. Bentel
Schaumburg Capt. Robert H. Levin
Skokie Capt. Jeffrey S. Wimer
Wauconda FF/PMD Mark Abernathy DUTY DISABILITY
Brookfield
FF/PMD Thomas Reich
Glenwood Capt. George E. Spanier
Schaumburg B/C Michael S. Diaferia
DEATHS
Addison Mr. Anthony J. LaRocca
Broadview
FF John J. Kupris
Harvey Capt. Norman Kutscher
Hinsdale
D/C Robert Kasper
Lake Forest Mr. David Livingston Mr. Donald Ronzani
Manteno Capt. David B. Cheshire
Niles D/C Charles M. Bobula
Northbrook Engr. Michael J. Theis
Oak Brook FF Frank Di Iorio
Wheeling FF/PMD Kenneth Grandt
FIREFIGHTER MEDAL OF HONOR CEREMONY
The twentieth Firefighter Medal of Honor Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 9th, a
gold shift. The first part of the ceremony is conducted at the Firefighter Memorial just southwest of the State Capitol. The attendees then proceed to the indoor portion of the ceremony where nominated firefighters receive their awards. I.P.F.A. has had representation on the Medal of Honor Committee and the Medal of Honor Foundation Committee since their inceptions. Tim Clemens, Board Vice-President currently serves as Chairman of both Committees. A musical montage is a part of the indoor ceremony. Any departments or individuals that have photos of firefighters performing their duties in quarters or on scene are asked to submit them to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for inclusion in the program. If anyone would like to submit photos for the montage, please mail them to: Robin Earl, OSFM, 1035 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 62703-4259, or e-mail them to [email protected].
![Podgoricapodgorica.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/turkovic_cvetko_413.pdf · up 36 up 9 up á 24 up 4 up 3 gr.a.ffi_ 1 bro] grafickog priloga 4 up up 8 +2 u p up 4 up 41 uÞ40 up*39](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/5f38d9fbf6f2175f2a782270/up-36-up-9-up-24-up-4-up-3-graffi-1-bro-grafickog-priloga-4-up-up-8-2-u.jpg)
