SB1150eng 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1150 Engrossed LRB097 04872 AEK 44911 b

AN ACT concerning employment.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The State Universities Civil Service Act is amended by changing Sections 36d, 36e, 36g, 36h, 36j, and 36o and by adding Section 36t as follows:

(110 ILCS 70/36d) (from Ch. 24 1/2, par. 38b3)

Sec. 36d. Powers and duties of the Merit Board.

The Merit Board shall have the power and duty-

(1) To approve a classification plan prepared under its direction, assigning to each class positions of substantially similar duties. The Merit Board shall have power to delegate to its Executive Director the duty of assigning each position in the classified service to the appropriate class in the classification plan approved by the Merit Board.

(2) To prescribe the duties of each class of positions and the qualifications required by employment in that class.

(3) To prescribe the range of compensation for each class or to fix a single rate of compensation for employees in a particular class; and to establish other conditions of employment which an employer and employee representatives have agreed upon as fair and equitable. The Merit Board shall direct the payment of the "prevailing rate of wages" in those classifications in which, on January 1, 1952, any employer is paying such prevailing rate and in such other classes as the Merit Board may thereafter determine. "Prevailing rate of wages" as used herein shall be the wages paid generally in the locality in which the work is being performed to employees engaged in work of a similar character. Each employer covered by the University System shall be authorized to negotiate with representatives of employees to determine appropriate ranges or rates of compensation or other conditions of employment and may recommend to the Merit Board for establishment the rates or ranges or other conditions of employment which the employer and employee representatives have agreed upon as fair and equitable. Any rates or ranges established prior to January 1, 1952, and hereafter, shall not be changed except in accordance with the procedures herein provided.

(4) To recommend to the institutions and agencies specified in Section 36e standards for hours of work, holidays, sick leave, overtime compensation and vacation for the purpose of improving conditions of employment covered therein and for the purpose of insuring conformity with the prevailing rate principal.

(5) To prescribe standards of examination for each class, the examinations to be related to the duties of such class. The Merit Board shall have power to delegate to the Executive Director and his staff the preparation, conduct and grading of examinations. Examinations may be written, oral, by statement of training and experience, in the form of tests of knowledge, skill, capacity, intellect, aptitude; or, by any other method, which in the judgment of the Merit Board is reasonable and practical for any particular classification. Different examining procedures may be determined for the examinations in different classifications but all examinations in the same classification shall be uniform.

(6) To authorize the continuous recruitment of personnel and to that end, to delegate to the Executive Director and his staff the power and the duty to conduct open and continuous competitive examinations for all classifications of employment.

(7) To cause to be established from the results of examinations registers for each class of positions in the classified service of the State Universities Civil Service System, of the persons who shall attain the minimum mark fixed by the Merit Board for the examination; and such persons shall take rank upon the registers as candidates in the order of their relative excellence as determined by examination, without reference to priority of time of examination.

(8) To provide by its rules for promotions in the classified service. Vacancies shall be filled by promotion whenever practicable. For the purpose of this paragraph, an advancement in class shall constitute a promotion.

(9) To set a probationary period of employment of no less than 6 months and no longer than 12 months for each class of positions in the classification plan, the length of the probationary period for each class to be determined by the Director.

(10) To provide by its rules for employment at regular rates of compensation of physically handicapped persons in positions in which the handicap does not prevent the individual from furnishing satisfactory service.

(11) To make and publish rules, to carry out the purpose of the State Universities Civil Service System and for examination, appointments, transfers and removals and for maintaining and keeping records of the efficiency of officers and employees and groups of officers and employees in accordance with the provisions of Sections 36b to 36q, inclusive, and said Merit Board may from time to time make changes in such rules.

(12) To appoint a Executive Director and such assistants and other clerical and technical help as may be necessary efficiently to administer Sections 36b to 36q, inclusive. To authorize the Director to appoint an assistant resident at the place of employment of each employer specified in Section 36e and this assistant may be authorized to give examinations and to certify names from the regional registers provided in Section 36k.

(13) To submit to the Governor of this state on or before November 1 of each year prior to the regular session of the General Assembly a report of the University System's business and an estimate of the amount of appropriation from state funds required for the purpose of administering the University System.

(Source: P.A. 82-524.)

(110 ILCS 70/36e) (from Ch. 24 1/2, par. 38b4)

Sec. 36e. Coverage. All employees of the Illinois Community College Board, State Community College of East St. Louis (abolished under Section 2-12.1 of the Public Community College Act), Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, University of Illinois, State Universities Civil Service System, State Universities Retirement System, the State Scholarship Commission, and the Board of Higher Education, shall be covered by the University System described in Sections 36b to 36q, inclusive, of this Act, except the following persons:

(1) the The members and officers of the Merit Board and the board of trustees, and the commissioners of the institutions and agencies covered hereunder;

(2) the The presidents and vice-presidents of each educational institution;

(3) other Other principal administrative employees of each institution and agency approved as determined by the Merit Board;

(4) the The teaching, research and extension faculties of each institution and agency; and

(5) students Students employed under rules prescribed by the Merit Board, without examination or certification.

Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section, all of the following apply:

(A) No position may be exempt under this Section unless the exemption has been reviewed and approved by the Merit Board or by the Executive Director as delegated by the Merit Board.

(B) The authority to exempt lies solely with the Merit Board or the Executive Director as delegated by the Merit Board, and such authority shall not be extended to any other employing institution or agency.

(C) Adequate advance notice of the intent to propose an exemption must be provided to impacted employees and any labor organization with exclusive bargaining rights for that position and posted in all public places allocated for civil service employment information.

(Source: P.A. 89-4, eff. 1-1-96; revised 9-16-10.)

(110 ILCS 70/36g) (from Ch. 24 1/2, par. 38b6)

Sec. 36g. For the granting of appropriate preference in entrance examinations to qualified persons who have been members of the armed forces of the United States or to qualified persons who, while citizens of the United States, were members of the armed forces of allies of the United States in time of hostilities with a foreign country, and to certain other persons as set forth in this Section.

(a) As used in this Section:

(1) "Time of hostilities with a foreign country" means any period of time in the past, present, or future during which a declaration of war by the United States Congress has been or is in effect or during which an emergency condition has been or is in effect that is recognized by the issuance of a Presidential proclamation or a Presidential executive order and in which the armed forces expeditionary medal or other campaign service medals are awarded according to Presidential executive order.

(2) "Armed forces of the United States" means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard. Service in the Merchant Marine that constitutes active duty under Section 401 of federal Public Law 95-202 shall also be considered service in the Armed Forces of the United States for purposes of this Section.

(b) The preference granted under this Section shall be in the form of points added to the final grades of the persons if they otherwise qualify and are entitled to appear on the list of those eligible for appointments.

(c) A veteran is qualified for a preference of 10 points if the veteran currently holds proof of a service connected disability from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or an allied country or if the veteran is a recipient of the Purple Heart.

(d) A veteran who has served during a time of hostilities with a foreign country is qualified for a preference of 5 points if the veteran served under one or more of the following conditions:

(1) The veteran served a total of at least 6 months, or

(2) The veteran served for the duration of hostilities regardless of the length of engagement, or

(3) The veteran was discharged on the basis of hardship, or

(4) The veteran was released from active duty because of a service connected disability and was discharged under honorable conditions.

(e) A person not eligible for a preference under subsection (c) or (d) is qualified for a preference of 3 points if the person has served in the armed forces of the United States, the Illinois National Guard, or any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and the person: (1) served for at least 6 months and has been discharged under honorable conditions or (2) has been discharged on the ground of hardship or (3) was released from active duty because of a service connected disability. An active member of the National Guard or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States is eligible for the preference if the member meets the service requirements of this subsection (e).

(f) The rank order of persons entitled to a preference on eligible lists shall be determined on the basis of their augmented ratings. When the Executive Director establishes eligible lists on the basis of category ratings such as "superior", "excellent", "well-qualified", and "qualified", the veteran eligibles in each such category shall be preferred for appointment before the non-veteran eligibles in the same category.

(g) Employees in positions covered by this Act who, while in good standing, leave to engage in military service during a period of hostility, shall be given credit for seniority purposes for time served in the armed forces.

(h) A surviving unremarried spouse of a veteran who suffered a service connected death or the spouse of a veteran who suffered a service connected disability that prevents the veteran from qualifying for civil service employment shall be entitled to the same preference to which the veteran would have been entitled under this Section.

(i) A preference shall also be given to the following individuals: 10 points for one parent of an unmarried veteran who suffered a service connected death or a service connected disability that prevents the veteran from qualifying for civil service employment. The first parent to receive a civil service appointment shall be the parent entitled to the preference.

(Source: P.A. 87-796.)

(110 ILCS 70/36h) (from Ch. 24 1/2, par. 38b7)

Sec. 36h. Appointment.

(1) Whenever an employer covered by the University System has a position which needs to be filled, this employer shall inform the Executive Director of the Merit Board. The Director shall then certify to the employer the names and addresses of the three persons standing highest on the register for the classification to which the position is assigned. The employer shall select one of these persons certified for the position and shall notify the Executive Director of the Merit Board of his selection. If less than three names appear on the appropriate register, the Director shall certify the names and addresses of the person or persons on the register. Sex shall be disregarded except when the nature of the position requires otherwise.

(2) All appointments shall be for a probationary period of no less than 6 months and no longer than 12 months for each class of positions in the classification plan, the length of the probationary period for each class having been determined by the Executive Director, except that persons first appointed to any police department of any university or college covered by the University System after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1979, shall be on probation for 1 year. The service during the probationary period shall be deemed to be a part of the examination. During the probationary period, the employee may be dismissed if the employer determines that the employee has failed to demonstrate the ability and the qualifications necessary to furnish satisfactory service. The employer shall notify the Executive Director in writing of such dismissal. If an employee is not so dismissed during his probationary period his appointment shall be deemed complete at the end of the period.

(3) No person shall be appointed to any police department of any university or college covered by the University System unless he possesses a high school diploma or an equivalent high school education, and unless he is a person of good character and is not a person who has been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.

(Source: P.A. 86-708.)

(110 ILCS 70/36j) (from Ch. 24 1/2, par. 38b9)

Sec. 36j. Promotions. The Merit Board shall by rules provide for promotions on the basis of ability and experience and seniority in service and examination and to provide in all cases where it is practicable that vacancies will be filled by promotion. The Merit Board shall by rule fix lines of promotion from such several offices and places to superior offices or places in all cases where, in the judgment of the Merit Board, the duties of such several positions directly tend to fit the incumbent for a superior position.

Employees promoted in the promotional line shall have their seniority for the highest position held on the basis of length of service in that classification. For the next lower classification the employee may add his seniority in the higher classification to that in the lower to determine seniority in the lower classification.

Whenever a superior position in the promotional line in the classified civil service under the University System is to be filled, the Director shall certify to the employer, in the order of their seniority, the names and addresses of the three persons standing highest upon the promotional register for the class or grade to which said position belongs. The employer shall appoint one of the three persons whose names were certified by the Executive Director. Sex shall be disregarded except when the nature of the position requires otherwise. Appointments to superior positions in the promotional line shall be on probation for a period of no less than 6 months and no longer than 12 months for each class of positions in the classification plan, the length of the probationary period having been determined by the Executive Director. Persons so appointed may be demoted at any time during the period of probation, if, in the opinion of the employer, they have failed to demonstrate the ability and the qualifications necessary to furnish satisfactory service, but shall not be discharged from the superior position if they have previously completed a probationary period in an inferior position in the promotional line.

Whenever a person is promoted to a superior position in the promotional line prior to the completion of the probationary period in any one of the positions in the classified civil service under the University System, total service in the inferior position and in all such superior positions shall be combined to establish certified status and seniority in the inferior position.

(Source: P.A. 82-524.)

(110 ILCS 70/36o) (from Ch. 24 1/2, par. 38b14)

Sec. 36o. Demotion, removal, and discharge. After the completion of his or her probationary period, no employee shall be demoted, removed or discharged except for just cause, upon written charges, and after an opportunity to be heard in his or her own defense if he or she makes a written request for a hearing to the Merit Board within 15 days after the serving of the written charges upon him or her. Upon the filing of such a request for a hearing, the Merit Board shall grant such hearing to be held within 45 days from the date of the service of the demotion, removal or discharge notice by a hearing board or hearing officer appointed by the Merit Board. The members of the hearing board or the hearing officer shall be selected from among the members of a panel established by the Merit Board after consultation with the Advisory Committee provided in Section 36c. The hearing board or hearing officer shall make and render findings of facts on the charges and transmit to the Merit Board a transcript of the evidence along with the hearing board's or hearing officer's findings of fact. The findings of the hearing board or hearing officer when approved by the Merit Board shall be certified to the employer. If cause for demotion, removal or discharge is found, the employee shall be immediately separated from the service. If cause is not found, the employee shall forthwith be reassigned to perform the duties of a position in his or her classification without loss of compensation. In the course of the hearing, the Executive Director of the Merit Board shall have power to administer oaths and to secure by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers relevant to the inquiry.

The provisions of the Administrative Review Law and all amendments and modification thereof, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the judicial review of final administrative decisions of the Merit Board hereby created. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 95-113, eff. 8-13-07.)

(110 ILCS 70/36t new)

Sec. 36t. General provisions.

(a) Open Meetings Act. The Merit Board and any committees and subdivisions thereof shall be subject to all provisions of the Open Meetings Act. The Merit Board is a "public body" within the meaning of that term as set forth in the Open Meetings Act.

(b) State Records Act. The Merit Board and any committees and subdivisions thereof shall be subject to all provisions of the State Records Act. The Merit Board is an "agency" within the meaning of that term as set forth in the State Records Act.

(c) Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any authority granted to the Merit Board to make and publish rules is strictly limited to the requirements of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, and no authority for the Merit Board to make and publish rules exists outside of the requirements of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The Merit Board is an "agency" within the meaning of that term as set forth in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.