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The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund is questioning whether McHenry County Board members are working enough hours to justify pensions after they leave office, the Northwest Herald has learned.

And a state representative known for tussling with the County Board over various issues in recent years plans to ask that a special prosecutor be appointed to investigate.

Under state law, McHenry County government employees must work at least 1,000 hours a year – or about 20 hours a week for 50 weeks – to qualify for IMRF benefits. The County Board in 1997 set a higher standard for its employees – the law otherwise sets a 600-hour annual minimum.

But an audit conducted last year by IMRF cast doubt on whether most board members are meeting the threshold, IMRF Director Louis Kosiba said.

Kosiba, who along with state Rep. Jack Franks asked to meet with the newspaper’s editors, pointed to a line from the IMRF’s own manual to back his assertion. Barring “highly unusual circumstances,” officials elected to county, village, township or municipal boards will not qualify for IMRF under the 1,000-hour threshold.

A special prosecutor? Wow. But, hey, did they do enough work to qualify for pensions? If not… could be big trouble.

* Now, read this comprehensive account of the latest board meeting. But take special note of this…

Board Chairman Joe Gottemoller treated Kosiba as if he were a witness in a trial.

He got a reply that no issue was raised until Local 150 and Jack Franks separately brought the question to the attention of IMRF. […]

“The information comes from a union [Local 150 of the Operating Engineers] that is suing us because we supported Governor Rauner’s [Turnaround Agenda],” Gottemoller interjected.

* More background, this time from last year…

A labor union claims the McHenry County Board violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act when at least eight of its members gathered at a private discussion with Gov. Bruce Rauner at the Woodstock Opera House April 8.

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 filed a lawsuit against the County Board April 17, accusing board members of failing to comply with a state law that requires the public be allowed to attend government meetings. […]

According to the lawsuit, Chairman Joseph Gottemoller, Yvonne Barnes, Jim Heisler, Nick Provenzano, Chuck Wheeler, Tina Hill, Michele Aavang and Larry Smith were on hand to listen to a talk from Rauner, who was in Woodstock to tout his Illinois Turnaround agenda, a set of plans supporters say will improve the state’s economy but which opponents have labeled as an attack on unions and the middle class. […]

The next day, the County Board voted 16-5 in favor of a non-binding resolution supporting Rauner’s plan, which calls for localized right-to-work zones, the repeal of prevailing wage laws, the elimination of unfunded mandates and more.

Ouch.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 2:52 pm

Comments

Follow the rules and you don’t get in trouble.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 2:58 pm
I hope it is successful. It will open the door to other inquiries around the state where political hacks have gotten pension benefits they don’t deserve. Every time a public pension abuse is brought to light it makes private sector workers/taxpayers even that much more angry about the whole idea that these rich pension benefits exist at all.
401ks for everybody!

Comment by Don Draper Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Local 150 may be too clever by half. Most counties and municipalities didn’t sign on to the Turnaround Agenda. Wondering if their pension plans are all kosher. I suspect Kosiba may be looking at a lot of IMRF irregularities in the months to come.

Comment by phocion Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:06 pm
Oh - Don Draper -…

Don’t forget that pesky Constitution.

- Norseman - is on this…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:07 pm
Rauner peddles his sacred turnaround agenda to undeserving pensioners, while being critical of legitimate pensions (with big assists from the Trib and Policy Institute), while violating the Open Meetings Act, yet claiming to be open and transparent.
Sounds about right.

Comment by out of touch Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:07 pm
===According to the lawsuit, Chairman Joseph Gottemoller, Yvonne Barnes, Jim Heisler, Nick Provenzano, Chuck Wheeler, Tina Hill, Michele Aavang and Larry Smith were on hand to listen to a talk from Rauner, who was in Woodstock to tout his Illinois Turnaround agenda, a set of plans supporters say will improve the state’s economy but which opponents have labeled as an attack on unions and the middle class..===

Wonder what Rauner said? Is there a record?

“Hi, ck-

Is this how Madeupville and other towns get the Turnaround Agenda passed? Secret meetings and sham votes already dictated by secret agreements?

Thanks!

ow”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Amend the Constitution to strike any references to retirement benefits for public employees. Let it be done by law. It was wrong to include that provision in the first place.
A supermajority in a legislature could certainly get that amendment passed.

Comment by Don Draper Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:12 pm
Don Draper must have been passed over for a government job. So angry.

Comment by Trolling Troll Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:15 pm
- Don Draper -

It’s because of folks like you there is a protected constitutial provision.

You aren’t going to get 71 and 36 to make it go away.

You’re welcome.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:15 pm
Don - Your idea has been beaten up so many times that it can’t get up off the floor.

If a constitutional amendment was passed outlawing public pensions, there is this other law that would come into play called contract law.

The current and retired employees have a contract with the State for a pension that is protected by law and the constitution.

Get over it.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:20 pm
You have to wonder, did Rauner threaten them?

What did Rauner promise?

Why couldn’t they meet in public?

What information is being kept that can’t be seen in the daylight?

Why did they vote oh so quickly?

Was another side even presented?

Were there handouts the public will never see?

Are there truths that Rauner told them to ignore?

Lots of questions….

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:20 pm
Right-to-work in exchange for right-to-pension?

Sounds about right.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:21 pm
A circular firing squad, they tried to shoot down prevailing wage, they shot down their own pensions. They might not have qualified for the pensions, and they can now thank Rauner for causing the “mistake” to come to light. I’m sure the board members are happy to save the county money.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Self imposed rules that exceed statute? This is what happens when you try to score political points and create bad policy. It’s their own fault for putting a bad policy in place and not fixing it prior to Frank’s figuring it out.

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:26 pm
Did I ever mention as a Republican I’m a fan of Local 150?

Ok, I’ll try to be fair…

If the SuperStars have any notes or handouts or the PowerPoint, if they have what was promised, or what the questions and answers were… I’ll try to overlook the blatebt circumventing the Open Meetings Act and that Rauner ran to be the most Transparent Governor and Administration ever.

How about that. Deal?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Turnaround Agenda backers beware!

Comment by Omega Man Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:30 pm
- Don Draper - Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:12 pm:
Amend the Constitution to strike any references to retirement benefits for public employees. Let it be done by law. It was wrong to include that provision in the first place.
A supermajority in a legislature could certainly get that amendment passed.

Such an amendment could only be applied prospectively. Current employees have a property right to their pension benefits as they exist now. Thus, if you were to strip them of that property by amending the state constitution, you would run afoul of the 14th amendment in that the state would be depriving them of property without due process. Might also violate the takings clause but I am not as sure on that one.

Comment by TominChicago Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:31 pm
DD- it’s interesting that you chose “Don Draper” as your name for the site as he was a fraud who built his whole life on deceit and selfish self-interest; a nice bit of fridge logic there…

Comment by Morty Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:32 pm
Ignore the troll and get back to the topic, please. Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:39 pm
Looks like that County Board is not…um….handling this well.

Comment by btowntruth Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:43 pm
“Hi, ow-

Sometimes 9 people just like to get together and listen to opera.

Thanks!

ck”

(This is snark, in case you miss it)

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:45 pm
Regardless of how the Issue Surfaced , it is a Significant Issue that Must be Pursued and Rep. Franks and Mr. Kosiba have taken action that is in the interest of legitimate IMRF members and retirees .

Comment by x ace Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:48 pm
“Right-to-work in exchange for right-to-pension?”
————–

This whole pension mess for part time board members mess happened years ago. There were people internally at the County who told them this was stupid, and that they were leaving themselves wide open on the whole issue of giving part time elected board members access to IMRF.

Those folks that raised objections got shut down.

And this situation is NOT unique to McHenry County.

I’ll give Jack Franks kudos on this one, as long as he pushes the issue everywhere around the state, not just in Republican counties.

Comment by Judgment Day Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Can you call it a sham vote if the rules are broken like this or is just ok to snicker and let things play out?

Wonder of there were any follow up emails that night, emails discussing when and whom? They all just decided by utter happenstance to be “there”, that place, that time?

Amazing.

I have to wonder…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:49 pm
How would anyone ever prove the workload. Reviewing meeting minutes for both board and committee meetings? Researching issues prior to votes? Talking to constituents? Actual meetings? Ceremonies?

Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:50 pm
Local 150 is a Union, not sure if their members are in IMRF, it also looks like it is a local county rule, would like to see that rule elsewhere. Like Dupage County I know there are people double dipping IMRF here and they are not putting in those types of hours on an annual basis. Huh, a Democrat looking into saving money? What would Pierre say?

Comment by burbanite Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:53 pm
Um, when does Daylight Saving Time take effect on the blog?

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:53 pm
I’m sure the Republican State’s Attorney will be all over it.

Comment by Hedley Lamarr Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:53 pm
I find the irony of the Board’s dissatisfaction especially delightful. Do they not realize that they are the antithesis for the Turnaround agenda? Pension, insurance, pretty hefty compensation for serving on the Board.

I feel no empathy for them at all, they support the Turn Around Agenda yet cannot abide by it. While the IMRF may not look into county boards and has never conducted an inquiry for these reasons, they audit all of the time. Get over it and keep better records.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:54 pm
===I’m sure the Republican State’s Attorney will be all over it.===

It’s a lawsuit, not criminal charges

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:56 pm
===Um, when does Daylight Saving Time take effect on the blog? ===

Keep forgetting to do it. Will do it when I close comments. Thanks for the reminder. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:57 pm
- burbanite -

I do find it ironic that the complaint is that a union is bringing this up, and no one is saying they didn’t do anything wrong?

That’s odd, no?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:58 pm
OW: Exactly right.

Comment by Man with a plan Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:01 pm
I’m sure the governor was glad to learn another way to reduce pension costs.

Comment by A worker Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Only in McHenry County do public officials get hit for scamming a pension, and the pension official gets ripped up for investigating it.

The republican candidate for chairman asked if he could plead the fifth instead of providing documentation on the hours. The affidavits they sign every year carry a class 3 felony fraud charge if they’re falsified.

Dun. Dun. DUN!

Comment by Man with a plan Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:05 pm
–Rauner peddles his sacred turnaround agenda to undeserving pensioners, while being critical of legitimate pensions (with big assists from the Trib and Policy Institute), while violating the Open Meetings Act, yet claiming to be open and transparent.
Sounds about right.–

Some might call that a lack of self-awareness.

Others might call that raging hypocrisy.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:06 pm
So in the end the McHenry County Board are going to in effect be the first casualties of the “Right To Work” agenda directly as their voting for the Runaground(TM) agenda.

It is best served cold, indeed.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:09 pm
Wonder if Rauner just handed them the customized AFP language on RTW to offer and pass. Both hard cases to prove.

Comment by walker Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:16 pm
As a smart co-worker repeatedly said: ‘Every decision has its consequences.’

Comment by sal-says Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:22 pm
Its kinda ironic that a union, who’s top brass retires with a much more lucrative retirement package than its rank and file has a conscience when it comes this issue.

Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:22 pm
==Its kinda ironic that a union, who’s top brass retires with a much more lucrative retirement package than its rank and file has a conscience when it comes this issue.==

I don’t think so. They know attacks against union membership (right-to-work) affect everyone, whom they are engaged to defend. Unions are about unity after all.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:26 pm
- Blue dog dem -,

So the alleged breaking of the Open Meetings Act and the vote doesn’t phase you?

Got it, thanks…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:26 pm
==- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 3:10 pm:==

We’d be lucky if the meeting was even listed on a schedule for him.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:36 pm
Don Draper is absolutely right. The taxpayers should not be guaranteeing investment returns. 401k equivalent for public employees is a must. Special protection in our abomination of a Constitution must be eliminated.

Comment by Tone Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:38 pm
===Don Draper is absolutely right.===

Nope. That’s why in 1970 the provision in the constitution exists.

Can’t wish it away - Tone -

I fed you, you’re wrong, read the pesky constitution…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 18, 16 @ 4:42 pm
Did the time they spent meeting with the Governor count towards their 1000-hour requirement?

Comment by Bluegrass Boy Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:39 pm