Kildeer police union worried about proposed cuts

An official with the union representing Kildeer police officers says he's concerned about a lack of coverage he contends would result from the latest round of scheduled layoffs.

Illinois Fraternal Order of Police representative Joseph Kalita questions how five full-time Kildeer officers would cover the village on 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. Three Kildeer police officers are to be laid off in late April, bringing the total number who have been cut since November to 11.

Kalita said the remaining officers and Kildeer residents would be negatively affected by a thinned police department.

“No, I don't think it's safe,” Kalita said in his first public remarks about the planned layoffs Tuesday. “I'm not a resident of the village of Kildeer, so I don't know what the people think about it.”

Village Administrator Michael Talbett said his job is to ensure the greatest amount of police protection is provided under Kildeer's financial limitations. He said he didn't want to engage with the police union through the media.

“We're doing the best we can with what we have,” Talbett said.

Police Chief Louis Rossi announced the three officer layoffs in a memorandum distributed March 23. He attributed the cuts to “severe economic conditions and a shortfall of over $459,000” projected in the 2012-13 fiscal year budget that starts May 1.

Of the shortfall, Talbett said $448,000 would be due to the village's obligation to contribute to police pensions for the year.

Eight Kildeer officers were laid off in November when Deer Park terminated its police contract with the neighboring village and switched to the Lake County sheriff's office. Deer Park would have paid $1.45 million to Kildeer in the fourth year of the deal that was set to run through April 30, 2013.

Although Kildeer would be left with seven full-time officers, two are expected to be on disability leave when the next layoffs occur April 29. Talbett said the two officers would be paid while on disability.

Kalita said the FOP plans to scrutinize the village's finances, in part because one of the officers to be cut in late April was recalled from the previous layoff on March 14.

“We're kind of confused,” Kalita said.

Talbett said the village had no choice but to offer the officer in question — who was laid off in October — an opportunity return to work two weeks ago. He said the opening developed after the release of another police department employee and that the village was following the contract with the union.

Kalita said the current police contract with Kildeer ends April 30 and that negotiations would include whether to continue the 12-hour day. Talbett said the village wants to meet with union officials, but Kalita responded that he doesn't expect that to happen this week.