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LaSalle County salary committee weighs 12‑hour shifts for sheriff dispatchers; approves closed session on pay
Summary
The LaSalle County Board Salary and Labor Committee on Sept. 24 heard an update that county staff are negotiating with AFSCME and the sheriff’s office about switching dispatcher schedules from 8‑hour to 12‑hour shifts to reduce overtime and potentially eliminate the need for part‑time telecommunicators.
The LaSalle County Board Salary and Labor Committee on Sept. 24 heard an update that county staff are negotiating with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the sheriff’s office about switching dispatcher schedules from 8‑hour to 12‑hour shifts to reduce overtime and potentially eliminate the need for part‑time telecommunicators.
Steve Aubrey, chair of the LaSalle County Board Salary and Labor Committee, opened the meeting and called for citizen comment; none was offered. The committee approved minutes from the previous meeting by voice vote after a motion from James Bailey and a second from Kathy Bryant.
A county staff member told the committee: "We're currently in discussion with AFSCME with regard to creating, switching from an 8 hour schedule to the 12 hour schedule for the dispatchers only for the purpose of eliminating some of the overtime that they were reporting was the need for part time telecommunicators. So these are kinda working hand in hand. The we're working on language as far as letter of agreement to switch them from eights to twelves." The staff member asked the committee not to take action on hiring part‑time telecommunicators while negotiations continue.
The committee then voted to go into executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2 to discuss compensation of specific employees and discretionary leaves. The motion to enter executive session was made by James Bailey and seconded by Kathy Bryant; each committee member voiced "aye" and the motion passed.
No formal hiring decisions or policy changes were adopted in open session. Committee members indicated the schedule change and any related letter of agreement with AFSCME remain under negotiation with the sheriff’s office and union; staff said they will return with updated language or recommendations once talks conclude.
The committee did not specify a timeline for concluding negotiations or whether any elimination of part‑time positions would require additional approvals.
