[remote or in-person] Committee on Police and Fire

Politics

Monday, Oct. 7, 2024
1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. CDT

121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Angela Ybarra

The committee heard from members of the Fire Fighters Union Local 2 regarding the need for leave for firefighters after experiencing the loss of a colleague.

View notes

Live reporting by Natalie Frank

The committee heard from members of the Fire Fighters Union Local 2 regarding the need for bereavement leave for firefighters after experiencing the loss of a colleague.

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Live reporting by Natalie Frank

The committee heard from members of the Fire Fighters Union Local 2 regarding the need for bereavement leave for firefighters after experiencing the loss of a colleague.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie

Hi all - Today I'll be covering the Chicago City Council Committee on Police and Fire Depts for #CHIdocumenters @CHIdocumenters. It is scheduled to begin shortly at 1:00pm CT so stay tuned!

12:50 PM Oct 7, 2024 CDT

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 2/39

@CHIdocumenters Members are still arriving and the chair is waiting for enough to constitute a quorum as there is a voting issue on the agenda.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 3/39

@CHIdocumenters ALD. CHRIS TALIAFERRO chairman, asked for roll to be called. Stated to not that answering "yes" for roll is also considered a "yes" vote for any items voted on later from the agenda. 12 members present. Quorum established.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 4/39

@CHIdocumenters Public Speakers: General sentiment that need to allow officers and firemen bereavement leave when a police officer or fireman is lost.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 5/39

@CHIdocumenters Pub. Comm: Took ShotSpotter away. Larry Snelling promised to keep city safe. There are 50 ald. who could have opposed mayor. This week 26 shot 5 dead. Same every week. Will get worse now no deterrent. Why didn't Council oppose it? Should trust police, trust Snelling, trust police

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 6/39

@CHIdocumenters Pub. Com. Slavery much worse than the Holocaust. It's just that the Jews know how to make their issues known. Blacks don't know how to do this, don't get what need, ex. reparations. City illegally demolishing properties. Snelling says can't determine what crime this is. Racism

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 7/39

@CHIdocumenters Pub. Com. My people built this country and yet we are disrespected, bigotry against us by all kinds of people like the Jews. [Seems that most individuals speaking during pub. com. speaking about personal grievances that don't have anything to do with purpose of meeting.]

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 8/39

@CHIdocumenters Pub. Com. Drone program. Great value. With drones response times faster, sit awareness enhanced. Know what going into. Increases safety. Decreases use of force. Productivity increases if use officer as drone operator. Need to put them into action. Need budget line for drone team.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 9/39

@CHIdocumenters Pub Com. Woman demonstrating in front of Scientology Church. Brushed against a scientologist. Called police had her arrested. Scientology weaponizing CPD against people exercising first ammen. rights. Collusion between CPD, Scientology could result in RICO case

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 10/39

@CHIdocumenters Rule 45 report passed.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 11/39

@CHIdocumenters Item 1: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter adding new Section to establish policy & procedures for bereavement leave following death of uniformed service member. Ald. Napolitano is sponsor.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 12/39

@CHIdocumenters Item 1: Ald. Napolitano - CFD has lost 11 members since 2015. Since 2019 have lost 9 to suicide. Currently no policy detailing how to help firefighters when lose another firefighter. It's done haphazardly.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 13/39

@CHIdocumenters Item 1: Ald Napolitano - when get called out it's to the worst day of someone life. Putting our lives at risk every time. When lose a fellow firefighter it becomes the worst day of our lives. Been with CPD, Fire Dept. Need to provide help with Mental Health awareness.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 14/39

@CHIdocumenters Item1: Need mental health release to help them mourn after losing firefighter. Others would gladly be willing to work for someone having a tough time dealing with loss. Need to pass this amendment.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 15/39

@CHIdocumenters President Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 - Patrick Cleary. This is a clear mental health issue. Different comm. handle loss and grieving differently. Have been negotiating for 3 years and can't get a policy. Need policy now.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 16/39

@CHIdocumenters Joseph Peace - Have lost 18 FD last few years. Never approached to find out if okay or if needed help. Only 1 counselor for all of us CPD has 22 which isn't enough. After loss of Andrew Price unit told to come in next day. $10M for mental health for FD,PD but where is it going?

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 17/39

@CHIdocumenters Jeffers - Colleague of Price. Expected to act like nothing happened after death. No time to grieve, space to process. All said okay but weren't. Didn't know response if admitted not okay. Couldn't safely respond if call had come in. Safety issue for us and those we serve.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 18/39

@CHIdocumenters General Counsel: Stated no one has ever been refused time to grieve if needed it. Ordinance says it's for all uniform members but isn't. It's only for FD. Members get leave if seek it. To codify this is an imperfect solution. Need general order that needs to be bargained.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 19/39

@CHIdocumenters General Counsel: This is first time have heard from local 2. FD has most generous leave policy. Can take time off when need, come back when ready. Question - Is this your personal statement or message of dept.? Ans: message sent to present.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 20/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald Irving: What is policy for leave now? Dept. doesn't have written policy but in practice. Chief - do it on case by case basis. Irving: Someone wants to take bereavement leave is formal process to request? Through EAP counselors or send written communication.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 21/39

@CHIdocumenters Gen. Counsel: Says ordinance dictates how will grieve. Must take time off at least 2 shifts, more if funeral delayed. Some might want to grieve through work. Irving: How much time off can a FD take off for mental health or physical illness? 365 days.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 22/39

@CHIdocumenters One Fire fighter said they are denied. Two firefighters lost, some asked for time off to grieve. Manager "swore at them", all were refused time off. So don't let them tell you that no one is denied leave. Happens all the time. Shouldn't have to negotiate bereavement leave.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 23/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald. Lee - Who makes determination when fit to return. Part of collective bargaining. When cleared by own professional sent to office of public safety administration. Meet with member and clear member. Out for more than 90 day, goes for retraining then back.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 24/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald. Lee - bereavement policy for loss of family member. Answer: Cities bereavement. 3 days or 5 if live in state noncontiguous with IL. For Mental Health leave, decide to come back who clears? Same process to be cleared.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 25/39

@CHIdocumenters Lee: If seeking help from EAP counselor is there any documentation that can use to clear. Ans: only if person signs release. If EAP thinks shouldn't be working can only contact depart. if member agrees to release. If take time for MH., When come back have to go through medical.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 26/39

@CHIdocumenters Lee: training for chiefs in fire stations for MH awareness/ knowledge so know if member potentially having problem. Is policy requiring them to notify someone. Answer: no, No MH days. Have to go to doctor who says person can't work because of reason such as clinical depression.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 27/39

@CHIdocumenters President of Local 2 stated they were on duty when lost Price. Those on his team looked like they were "zombies". Could see they would never be able to work safely and brought it to appropriate attention. Was ignored.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 28/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald. Knudson: How long does it take between asking for bereavement leave and being awarded? Ans: Same day. Don't have bereavement leave unless family. Knudson: Said it's done case by case. President Local 2: Again, no policy, everyone responds differently. May get no time at all.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 29/39

@CHIdocumenters Napolitano: Keep referring to "policy" but there is no policy. Also if just a departmental policy can be changed at anyone's whim.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 30/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald. Nugent: Why were no mental health counselors EAP invited to be part of this discussion? Ans: Probably taking care of members. Nugent: Comments earlier about what member of FD has to do for time off. Should be act of kindness. Shouldn't have to fill out forms, deal with HR

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 31/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald Gardiner: About being part of CBU with Union, Local 2 w/o contract for 3 yrs, no light at end of tunnel. Prob since even if pass ordinance would have to be negotiated through CBU. Hard to empathize with Union. Pres. of Union - Can be negotiated outside of CBU.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 32/39

@CHIdocumenters Pres. of Union again brings up that some Firefighters will want to grieve through work and this will deprive them of that option so not a good ordinance. Gardiner said that shouldn't let desire for perfection stand in the way of some progress.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 33/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald. Clay: Need universal policy. Alarmed that only have 1 counselor. Wants ordinance held to establish universal policy for all appropriate departments including CPD.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 34/39

@CHIdocumenters Napolitano: Put this together with CPD. They have their own policy and CPD isn't requesting to be part of universal policy. Clay: Wants to learn more about CPD's policy before coming to a final decision. Motion to hold decision.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 35/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald Lopez: (not on comm) want to vocalize support. Crazy conversation about how people in worst moment will know to voluntarily request time off/help. Ordinance initiated 299 days ago. What makes it imperfect requires firefighter take day off if coworker killed/commits suicide.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 36/39

@CHIdocumenters Lopez asks general counselor what it change it so that they don't have to take it if don't want to. Said doesn't address issue that have 1 policy for 1 dept. other depts have diffones. Lopez asks if anyone wants to motion changing ordinance to address forcing someone to take off

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 37/39

@CHIdocumenters Ald Irving: Friendly amendment that Ald. Lopez recommended. Was maker of ordinance in support of it? Reply - If get it past motion to hold it will address it. Irving: Dept needs to do better job since has been on books for 299 days. Shouldn't have to address it in council.

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 38/39

@CHIdocumenters Motion by Chair Angela Clay to hold motion in committee. Roll call vote. 13 no's 1 yes. Motion fails. Motion by Napolitano to adjust language including "with concurrence of employee" to address forcing person to take time off if don't want to. Call for vote. Motion passes

Natalie Frank, Ph.D @FrankNatalie 39/39

@CHIdocumenters Motion to pass Item 1: Ordinance passes. Meeting adjourned at 3:03pm. This concludes coverage of the Chicago City Council Committee on Police and Fire Depts. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025. For more meeting coverage, check out . documenters.org

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Agency Information

Chicago City Council

chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov

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@ChiCouncil

See Documenters reporting

The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago and consists of the Mayor and Aldermen elected from each of the City’s fifty wards. Source

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At this link, scroll down to “Meeting Notices.” Look for “Watch now” and click on the link with the meeting title to go to a livestream page. If you don’t see a link for the meeting, you may be early or the meeting may be starting late. Wait a few moments and try refreshing your Internet tab.

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