Police residency rule on way out in Chicago Heights
Posted on 2009-09-29 10:40:36 CDT
The residency requirement that has kept Chicago Heights police officers living in the city since 1954 may soon be ending.
An arbitrator ruled last week that all new police officers must live in Chicago Heights for their first five years in the department. But after that, they can move as far as 20 miles away as long as they live in Illinois.
"If it were the city's decision, the residency rule would be intact as it has been since 1954," Chicago Heights chief of staff Matt Fares said.
"Both sides win a little bit but that little bit we won doesn't make me want to throw a party. If you are getting paid by city and taxpayers, you should be a part of the city. Plain and simple."
Police officers who have already spent five years in Chicago Heights are now free to move away under the same ruling, but are required to notify Chicago Heights Police Chief Michael Camilli 45 days before their move.
Negotiations on salary and residency between the city and the police union have been ongoing since the police union's contract expired April 30, 2008.
At the end of May, representatives from the city and the union met with an arbitrator to try to settle the issue.
In August, the arbitrator ruled in favor of the union on the issue of pay, but sent both parties back to the bargaining table on residency.
The city council is expected to vote on the ruling in October.
Ald. Joseph Faso (4th) also disagreed with the ruling.
"I still would like to see them stay," Faso said. "I recommended (they stay) 10 years and then let them move within a certain distance. They ended up getting five years. At least they didn't all move away."
September 27, 2009
BY CASEY TONER
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