Carol Stream cop's disability hearing delayed
A hearing by the Carol Stream Police Pension Fund Board into Sgt. Bryan Pece's disability application has been pushed back to at least November.
Pece applied for non-duty related disability leave in May — the day after authorities said he was drunk when his vehicle rear-ended a SUV at the intersection of Army Trail and County Farm roads in Hanover Park. Pece and both people in the SUV were injured in the crash.
The accident came the night before Pece's scheduled return from being off work for close to six months as a result of injuries suffered on duty.
The five-member pension fund board is responsible for determining if Pece's employer, the village of Carol Stream, is required to pay Pece if he's physically unable to return to work.
At a meeting Thursday, board President John Numrich said the panel now has received all of Pece's medical records.
The delay, he said, is necessary because the board still is in the process of working with Chicago-based Inspe and Associates to secure the mandated three doctors for Pece's medical exams. Pece is permitted to have his own doctor examine him, and present any other witnesses or evidence in the case.
“Realistically, we are probably looking at a November hearing date,” Numrich said. “I know it's a long process. We'd like to shoot for November.”
The review is taking place at the same time Pece is facing charges in DuPage County Circuit Court for driving under the influence. Pece was in court Wednesday but his case was continued.
If convicted of the DUI charge, Pece faces up to a year in county jail.
The pension board formally received Pece's disability application in July. Numrich, one of the first members of the board when it was established in 1972, emphasized that the burden of proof is on the applicant when applying for disability.
Pece, 43, has more than 20 years experience on the Carol Stream police force, starting as a patrol officer and working his way up to sergeant.
If his non-duty disability application is approved, he would be required to have a medical exam every year until age 50 to determine if he is physically able to return to work.
The pension board includes two active-duty officers selected by their peers, two civilians appointed by Village President Frank Saverino, and one retiree. Should the board deny Pece's disability claim, he would have 30 days to file an appeal in circuit court.
At this time Pece remains on paid administrative leave.
“The hardest thing seems to be getting all the medical records. They're just so extensive,” Numrich said. “When those doctor's appointments are completed, then we can proceed with the hearing.”