Libertyville police get new four-year pact

Libertyville police officers have a new four-year contract that calls for raises of 2.75 and 2.5 percent during the next four years.

The agreement, approved Tuesday by the village board, covers 29 nonsupervisory police officers. The new deal runs through April 30, 2021, and was ratified by union membership Sept. 21.

It calls for pay increases of 2.75 percent each of the first two years and 2.5 percent each of the last two years. Officers with one year of experience as of May 1, 2018, will make $73,393, while those with 20 years are paid $103,255.

Those covered will contribute 12 percent to PPO health insurance premiums the first year, 13 percent the second, 14 percent the third and 15 percent the final year. There also are provisions for PPO plan design changes for prescription drug and emergency room copays and out of pocket expense limits, as long as other employees covered by a village health insurance programs move to the new limits as well.

Other points of the new agreement include modification of a newly hired officer's schedule to accommodate training and reimbursement for personal items damaged as a result of job performance.

Before the vote, Trustee Donna Johnson said village resources aren't keeping pace with new contracts. She said before the next contract negotiation the board needs to be prepared to "consider other options" but did not elaborate.

Mayor Terry Weppler said negotiations don't have to be behind closed doors, as has been the practice and suggested they be in open session next time to better inform residents.

"While we can do in executive (closed) session, we don't have to," he said.

Johnson agreed.

"There's a lot in the equation and it's very challenging," she said. "When people see the end numbers, I don't know they understand what precedes getting to the end numbers."

Trustee Rich Moras, said the board's strategy going into a negotiation should not be discussed publicly but the rest would be fair game.

"I think it would benefit having certain parts of the process be more open to public hearing," he said.