Minutes for F.O.P. #55 meeting March 20, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by Pres. Long. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A moment of silence was observed for fallen brothers and sisters, and for U.S. military personnel conducting operations overseas. Pres. Long welcomed retirees and guests.

Motion to waive the reading of the minutes made by Bro. Mancini, with second by Sis. Groeteke, was passed.

Roll call of officers was taken. Present were Pres. Long, Vice Pres. Vose, Sec. Baughman, Tres. Knowski, and Sgt. At Arms Walker. A quorum of officers and membership was established.

I. Officer's Reports
A. President Long
1. All committee rosters were reappointed as they stood under the previous executive committee.
B. Vice President Vose - no report
C. Secretary Baughman
1. Acknowledged reception of a letter of thanks from the Vicari family.
2. Announced details regarding F.O.P. scholarship opportunity for children of F.O.P. members.
D. Treasurer Knowski
1. Current budget figures were submitted to the membership.
E. Sergeant at Arms Walker - no report
F. State Lodge Report - Bro. Davlin absent
G. Labor Council
1. Bro. Nixon was absent.
2. Bro. Rath attended the last State Labor Council conference and provided the following information:
a. Presented the State Labor budget figures to the membership.
b. State Labor Council has hired a new attorney.
c. 200 delegates attended the last conference.
d. Bro. Rath attended a worker's compensation seminar provided by the State labor Council and noted the following information:
1. Employees have 45 days claim compensation.
2. Employees have 3 years to file for compensation.
3. Employers can appoint a physician, but following the first visit that doctor can refer you to your personal physician if you choose.
e. Excellence in the law enforcement field was acknowledged with recognition awards.
f. A new State Labor Council executive board was elected
g. Bro. Rath provided updates regarding State House bills regarding pensions and IRMF.
H. Bro. Van Hoos, with second by Bro. D. Karhliker, made a motion to accept the reports. The motion passed.

II. Committee Reports
A. Negotiations Committee - Pres. Long requested a motion to deviate from the agenda for election of a new member of the Negations Committee. This motion was made by Bro. Roderick, with second by Bro. Rath. The motion passed.
1. Pres. Long announced the candidates and Sec. Baughman passed out the ballets.
2. The results of the election were as follows:
a. Bro. Roesch - 9
b. Sgt. at Arms Walker - 8
c. Bro. Pennington - 7
d. Bro. Barr - 0
e. Bro. Mazrim - 0
3. Bro. Roesch was appointed to the Negotiations Committee based on the outcome of the vote. Should Bro. Roesch not be able to fulfill the appointment, the order of succession following him would be Sgt. at Arms Walker and Bro. Pennington, in that order.
B. Grievance Committee - Bro. Rath, in Bro. Davlin's absence, reported that a grievance had been filed regarding contractual footwear for Sangamon County Deputies.
C. Bingo Committee - Bro. McNamara reported Bingo has been in the black for all but one session in calendar year 2003. The last session on March 19, 2003 made roughly a $700.00 profit.
D. Food Committee - March 20, 2003 menu announced by Bro. Butterfield.
E. Flowers Committee - Sis. Brown reported flowers and cards were received by Bro. Hopper and Bro. Simmons.
F. Off-Duty Details - Bro. Rath reported, in Bro. Steil's absence, that the hourly off-duty rate of $21.00 was approved by the executive committee.
G. Donations Committee
1. Bro. McNamara reported that $300.00 was donated to Judy Gordan for assistance with funeral expenses regarding the untimely passing of her mother.
2. Bro. Walker led a discussion regarding fundraising efforts to provide clothing and jackets for needy children. Estimated cost of the charity is $3000.00. It was agreed to approach businesses with a letter on F.O.P. #55 letterhead seeking donations. Bro. Mancini reminded the membership that this project would need to be submitted for budget consideration in the upcoming fiscal year.
H. Bro. D. Johnson, with second by Bro. Steckenrider, motioned to accept the committee reports. The motion passed.

III. Reading of New Members - no report

IV. Old Business - no report

V. New Business

A. Pres. Long reported that the F.O.P. #55 website had been updated. E-mail for the website can be sent to FOP55@Warpnet.net. In the future Pre. Long hopes to e-mail F.O.P. #55 minutes to members with internet service as a way to save mailing expenses.
B. Pres. Long stated his plans to reinstate the Safety Committee.

VI. Good of the Order

A. Vice Pres. Vose announced that bids for paving the parking lot had been received.
B. Vice Pres. Vose noted that on April 30, 2003 the lodge would be hosting a party in honor of Police Memorial Day.
C. Vice Pres. Vose asked the membership to encourage all members to participate in F.O.P. #55 events.
D. Bro. D. Johnson met with Mary Ann Blair the Wood River Police Commissioner regarding Senate Bill 108. Senate Bill 108 includes language to allow IDOC C-number prisoners sentenced to long term sentences prior to the 1978 reinstatement of the death penalty to receive day for day time served swaps for good time. If passed roughly 400 prisoners that would have received the death penalty or life sentences, had their trials been after 1978, would be eligible for release. Bro. Johnson asked for membership and F.O.P. assistance in lobbying to have this bill defeated. Bro. Johnson has literature regarding the topic for interested members.

VII. Bro. Roderick, with second by Bro. Rath, motioned to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed.