Illinois Civil Service Commission met Nov. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR OPEN MEETING AT 11:02 A.M. AT 607 E. ADAMS STREET, SUITE 801, SPRINGFIELD, IL
II. ROLL CALL AND CONFIRMATION OF A QUORUM
Timothy D. Sickmeyer, Chairman; G.A. Finch (remote), David Luechtefeld, and Teresa Smith, Commissioners; Thomas Klein, Executive Director, Andrew Barris, Assistant Executive Director, Sabrina Johnson, Exemption Monitor, and Alexandra Myers, Executive Secretary; Sarah Kerley, Mark Mierzejewski, and Chris Nickols, Central Management Services; Doug Mathis (remote), Children and Family Services; Jayne Bethard (remote), Human Services; Amanda Thomet (remote), Office of Executive Inspector General; and Sonia Grove (remote), Veterans’ Affairs. Commissioner Vivian Robinson was an excused absence.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH THE MOTION ADOPTED 4-0 TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER FINCH TO JOIN THE MEETING REMOTELY.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR OPEN MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH THE MOTION ADOPTED 4-0, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR OPEN MEETING HELD OCTOBER 20, 2022.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act and the Rules of the Civil Service Commission, Executive Director Thomas Klein offered an opportunity for any person to address members of the Commission.
Hearing no response, the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.
V. EXEMPTIONS UNDER SECTION 4d(3) OF THE PERSONNEL CODE
A. Governing Rule – Section 1.142 Jurisdiction B Exemptions
a) The Civil Service Commission shall exercise its judgment when determining whether a position qualifies for exemption from Jurisdiction B under Section 4d(3) of the Personnel Code. The Commission will consider any or all of the following factors inherent in the position and any other factors deemed relevant to the request for exemption:
1) The amount and scope of principal policy making authority;
2) The amount and scope of principal policy administering authority;
3) The amount of independent authority to represent the agency, board or commission to individuals, legislators, organizations or other agencies relative toprogrammatic responsibilities;
4) The capability to bind the agency, board or commission to a course of action;
5) The nature of the program for which the position has principal policyresponsibility;
6) The placement of the position on the organizational chart of the agency, board or commission;
7) The mission, size and geographical scope of the organizational entity or program within the agency, board or commission to which the position is allocated ordetailed.
b) The Commission may, upon its own action after 30 days’ notice to the Director of Central Management Services or upon the recommendation of the Director of the Department of Central Management Services, rescind the exemption of any position that no longer meets the requirements for exemption set forth in subsection (a). However, rescission of an exemption shall be approved after the Commission has determined that an adequate level of managerial control exists in exempt status that will insure responsive and accountable administrative control of the programs of the agency, board or commission.
c) For all positions currently exempt by action of the Commission, the Director of Central Management Services shall inform the Commission promptly in writing of all changes in essential functions, reporting structure, working title, work location, position title, position number or specialized knowledge, skills, abilities, licensure or certification.
d) Prior to granting an exemption from Jurisdiction B under Section 4d(3) of the Personnel Code, the Commission will notify the incumbent of the position, if any, of its proposed action. The incumbent may appear at the Commission meeting at which action is to be taken and present objections to the exemption request.
(Source: Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 3485, effective March 3, 2010)
B. No Exemptions Submitted
C. Proposed Rescission in accordance with Section 1.142(b) of the Rules of the Civil Service Commission
Staff noticed up 46 positions for extended vacancy, two positions were removed from proposed rescission list due to becoming 4d(3) exempt in the last six months, one was continued from the May 16, 2019 agenda, four were continued from the November 21, 2019 agenda, 28 were continued from the November 18, 2021 agenda, and 33 were continued from the May 19, 2022 agenda. After discussions with various agency representative, 27 positions are being monitored by Staff and if not filled by May 2023, they will be placed on the May 18, 2023 agenda. Staff was notified that 13 positions were filled by the agency and removed from the list, Staff received two positions that were abolished effective 11/1/2022, just yesterday, and two are on the proposed rescission list as Items B1 and B2.
⮚ Exemption Monitor Ms. Sabrina Johnson indicated that Items B1 and B2 are Regional Executive Directors, Item B1 is in Region 1 North and Item B2 is in Metro West Region, both at the Department of Human Services (DHS). The proposed rescission for Item B1 has been continued since November 2021 meeting and Item B2 is a new proposed rescission. DHS indicated there was a recent reorganization and both positions were placed within the Community Service Program Division and the current job descriptions are no longer valid or needed. These two positions are excluded per a management bill; therefore, abolishment’s are not allowed. DHS has acknowledged and accepted the rescission requests and Staff recommended approval of these rescission requests.
The following proposed rescissions were granted at the November 17, 2022 meeting:
| Item | Agency | Position # | Functional Title |
| B1 | DHS | 40070-10-79-000-00-01 | Regional Executive Director, Region 1 North (Chicago– Read) |
| B2 | DHS | 40070-10-82-000-00-21 | Regional Executive Director, Metro West Region (Madden) |
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FINCH THE MOTION ADOPTED 5-0 TO RESCIND THE 4d(3) EXEMPTION FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITION:
B1: Regional Executive Director, Region 1 North (Chicago-Read) (DHS) B2: Regional Executive Director, Metro West Region (Madden) (DHS)
VI. CLASS SPECIFICATIONS
A. Governing Rule – Section 1.45 Classification Plan
The Commission will review the class specifications requiring Commission approval under the Classification Plan and will approve those that meet the requirements of the Personnel Code and Personnel Rules and conform to the following accepted principles of position classification:
a) The specifications are descriptive of the work being done or that will be done;
b) Identifiable differentials are set forth among classes that are sufficiently significant to permit the assignment of individual positions to the appropriate class;
c) Reasonable career promotional opportunities are provided;
d) The specifications provide a reasonable and valid basis for selection screening by merit examinations;
e) All requirements of the positions are consistent with classes similar in difficulty, complexity and nature of work; and
f) The relation of the class specifications to any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
B. Dietary Manager I (revise)
Dietary Manager II (revise)
C. Child Welfare Staff Development Coordinator IV (revise)
Regarding Items B and C, Chris Nickols from CMS Technical Services indicated that the proposed revisions were agreed to through collective bargaining. Regarding Item C, Barris inquired if the proposed revision might affect the promotional opportunities of other classes as well as the possibility that persons with no experience in child protection investigations would be providing such training. Sarah Kerley from CMS indicated that the revision was necessary as the agency needed senior investigators to remain in the field and persons with experience in providing training to provide such training to new hires that were necessary for the agency.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD THE MOTION ADOPTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE REVISIONS OF THE FOLLOWING CLASS SPECIFICATIONS TO BE EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2022:
B. Dietary Manager I (revise)
Dietary Manager II (revise)
C. Child Welfare Staff Development Coordinator IV (revise)
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD THE MOTION ADOPTED 4-0 TO DISAPPROVE ANY CLASS SPECIFICATIONS RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION STAFF NOT CONTAINED IN THIS AGENDA TO ALLOW ADEQUATE STUDY.
VII. PERSONNEL RULES
A. Civil Service Commission Governing Rule – Section 1.310 Personnel Rules
The Commission has power to disapprove new rules or amendments to existing rules submitted by the Director of Central Management Services. Such proposed new rules or amendments of existing rules submitted to the Commission shall be accompanied by a report of proceedings attending the prior public hearing required by law with respect to them.
If the Commission does not disapprove new rules or any amendment to existing rules within 30 days following the receipt from the Director of Central Management Services, the new rules or amendments have the force and effect of law after filing by the Director with the Secretary of State.
B. None submitted
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FINCH THE MOTION ADOPTED 4-0 TO DISAPPROVE ANY AMENDMENTS TO PERSONNEL RULES RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION STAFF BUT NOT CONTAINED IN THIS AGENDA TO ALLOW ADEQUATE STUDY.
VIII. MOTION TO CLOSE A PORTION OF THE MEETING
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD THE MOTION ADOPTED 4-0 TO CLOSE A PORTION OF THE MEETING PURSUANT TO SUBSECTIONS 2(c)(1), 2(c)(4), AND 2(c)(11) OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.
Sickmeyer Yes
Luechtefeld Yes
Smith Yes
Finch Yes
IX. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CLOSED PORTION OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD OCTOBER 20, 2022
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FINCH THE MOTION ADOPTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CLOSED PORTION OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD OCTOBER 20, 2022.
X. PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED DECISION RESULTING FROM APPEAL RV-33-22
| Employee | Dan T. Wilson | Appeal Date | 06/03/2022 |
| Agency | Dept. of Human
Services | Decision Date | 11/04/2022 |
| Appeal Type | Rules Violation | Proposal for
Decision | No violation |
| ALJ | Andrew Barris |
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, AND BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 4-0 THE MOTION ADOPTED TO AFFIRM AND ADOPT THE PROPOSAL FOR DECISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH IN THE PROPOSAL FOR DECISION.
Sickmeyer Yes
Finch Yes
Luechtefeld Yes
Smith Yes
DA-10-22
| Employee | Joy Farmer | Appeal Date | 11/03/2021 |
| Agency | Dept. of Human
Services | Decision Date | 11/04/2022 |
| Appeal Type | Discharge | Proposal for
Decision | 90-day suspension plus
suspension pending discharge |
| ALJ | Andrew Barris |
THERE WAS A MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER FINCH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, AND BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 4-0 TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE TO A 45-DAY SUSPENSION.
Sickmeyer Yes
Finch Yes
Luechtefeld Yes
Smith Yes
DA-34-22
| Employee | Marques Covington | Appeal Date | 06/07/2022 |
| Agency | Dept. of Human
Services | Decision Date | 11/04/2022 |
| Appeal Type | Discharge | Proposal for
Decision | 90-day suspension plus
suspension pending discharge |
| ALJ | Andrew Barris |
THERE WAS A MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER FINCH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, AND BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 4-0 TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE TO A 45-DAY SUSPENSION.
Sickmeyer Yes
Finch Yes
Luechtefeld Yes
Smith Yes
XI. APPEAL TERMINATED WITHOUT DECISION ON THE MERITS DA-15-23
| Employee | Cliffton Flagg | Appeal Date | 09/09/2022 |
| Agency | Dept. of Central
Management Services | Decision Date | 11/04/2022 |
| Appeal Type | Discharge | Proposal for
Decision | Dismissed/withdrawn. |
| ALJ | Thomas Klein |
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER FINCH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, AND BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 4-0 THE MOTION ADOPTED TO AFFIRM AND ADOPT THE PROPOSAL FOR DECISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE TO DISMISS THE APPEAL FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH IN THE PROPOSAL FOR DECISION.
Sickmeyer Yes
Finch Yes
Luechtefeld Yes
Smith Yes
DA-21-23
| Employee | Vernita Warren-Gary | Appeal Date | 10/07/2022 |
| Agency | Dept. of Human
Services | Decision Date | 10/27/2022 |
| Appeal Type | Discharge | Proposal for
Decision | Dismissed/withdrawn. |
| ALJ | Thomas Klein |
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, AND BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 4-0 THE MOTION ADOPTED TO AFFIRM AND ADOPT THE PROPOSAL FOR DECISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE TO DISMISS THE APPEAL FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH IN THE PROPOSAL FOR DECISION.
Sickmeyer Yes
Finch Yes
Luechtefeld Yes
Smith Yes
XII. FY 2022 ANNUAL REPORT
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, AND BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 4-0 THE MOTION ADOPTED TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 ANNUAL REPORT AS SUBMITTED.
XIII. STAFF REPORT
Assistant Executive Director Andrew Barris addressed the 2022 Ethics Training and 2022 Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Training and the due date of December 31, 2022 and thanked those Commissioners for providing written acknowledgement of the completion of the paper based training. Barris explained that, in the future, paper-based training might not be available as some training might only be able to be completed online. The Commissioners indicated that Barris should look into working with DoIT to find out ways they might use the OneNet Training platform when they don’t have state computers or email addresses as part of their duties at the Commission.
XIV. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING
Announcement was made of the next regular open meeting to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in the Springfield office of the Commission.
XV. MOTION TO ADJOURN
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LUECHTEFELD, AND BY ROLL CALL VOTE THE MOTION ADOPTED 4-0 TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 11:51 A.M.
https://icsc.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/icsc/documents/2022/11-17-22%20Regular%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf
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