Kane County unions standing firm as budget deficit still looms

Two of Kane County's largest unions are gearing up to make their stands against employee layoffs or pay cuts as the county board prepares to meet with its labor attorney for an update on what options remain to balance the budget.

The Policemen's Benevolent Labor Committee is set to address the county board next week. The message, said union President Dennis Carroll, will be about not trying to balance the budget on the backs of county employees, particularly public safety officers. County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay said last week she believes there are officers filling unneeded roles in the department at the expense of bolstering street patrols. Carroll said he'd like McConnaughay to specifically identify what can be cut.

"Our concern is the ability to police the public more so than our own personal concern," Carroll said. "Where would she like us to cut? She's stopping short of saying what we should cut."

Carroll agrees the sheriff's department is "heavy staffed" with 90 sworn officers, but says recent studies show the department should have 112 officers. Carroll said this shows the department has tried to make due with less for a while. He said the union will be particularly interested in how the county presents its financial situation it reports to potential bond rating agencies and investors.

"If this county finds another $1 million to $2 million at the end of the year like it's consistently done, we're not going to let that go unnoticed," Carroll said.

The county's second largest union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, is also against targeted layoffs or pay cuts, AFSCME Council 31 President Joe Bella said. Bella said his union was one of the leading lobbyists behind a plan currently before the county board to use riverboat gambling revenues to establish a line of credit for the health department to avoid layoffs long enough for the state to possibly restore some grant funding.

Beyond that, Bella said he hasn't been asked to discuss possible union contract modifications that would allow for pay cuts or furlough days to balance the budget. Moreover, he hasn't received any formal notice that any elected department heads are planning to lay off employees.

Bella said AFSCME is backing an increase to the state income tax to create new revenue, including money that would trickle down to the county.

"Our position is that this is not the kind of problem you can cut your way out of," Bella said. "You have to raise revenue. Our members are performing work that's necessary. One can even argue that it's even more necessary work given the state of Illinois. There is no fat. Any cuts impinge on necessary functions."

Leaders of the county's third main union, the Teamsters, could not be reached for comment.