State labor board again rules in firefighter's favor

State labor officials ruled - for a second time - the Wood Dale Fire Protection District must reinstate Robert Cortese to the rank of lieutenant.

Cortese was demoted in November 2007, then subsequently fired, in part, for talking to the media.

In a scorching ruling, the Illinois Labor Relations Board fined the district $5,000 for the manner in which it appealed the first decision, saying the district's arguments were "stunningly devoid of merit."

Additionally, the labor board said the fire district must pay Cortese's legal fees, all of his back wages and 7 percent interest.

Cortese faces another hearing Wednesday on a second grievance, this one filed after his dismissal.

The ruling is the latest step in a dispute that's continued between Cortese and the fire district since he was first demoted from lieutenant to a firefighter and paramedic.

At the time, Cortese, then president of the union, was written up by Fire Chief Thomas Flanagan for talking to reporters without permission. Cortese then filed a grievance.

In February, Flanagan fired Cortese. His attorney, Lisa Moss, said the decision was based on the demotion and because Cortese and another acting lieutenant got into an argument over who was really in charge during a work shift.

Trustee Gail Johnson said Monday the district's attorney cautioned the board they would lose their appeal this spring, but the other trustees said they "were going to try anyway."

The first ruling went against the district because its paperwork wasn't filed on time, meaning the decision automatically defaulted entirely in favor of Cortese. Board President Wally Takoy referred all questions to Flanagan, who declined to comment other than to say other manners of appeal are available. Trustee Ron Herff did not return calls. The district's attorney, Pat Bond, also did not return calls.

"I really hope this board does not appeal again," Johnson said. "Enough is enough. But it seems like they want to keep going after this guy until they get the answer they want."