LaSalle County panel denies laborers’ grievance, approves bills; next meeting April 23

LaSalle County members voted unanimously to leave an executive session held under the collective-bargaining exception of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, then denied a laborers’ grievance, approved payment of county bills and adjourned. The committee scheduled its next meeting for April 23 at 9 a.m.

The motion to end executive session cited the statute authorizing closed deliberations on collective bargaining (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)). James Bailey moved to end the executive session; Kathy Bridal seconded. In the roll call that followed, Tom Walsh, Joe Sabinski, Kathy Bridal, Mike McEmery and James Bailey recorded “aye” votes and the motion passed.

After returning to open session, members considered a grievance filed by the laborers. Mike McEmery moved to deny the laborers’ grievance “as presented”; James Bailey seconded. A roll-call vote recorded “aye” from Tom Walsh, Joe Sabinski, Kathy Bridal, Mike McEmery and James Bailey, and the motion to deny the grievance passed. The transcript records no additional discussion or conditions attached to the denial.

The panel then voted to approve payment of county bills. James Bailey moved and Mike McEmery seconded; a roll call showed unanimous “aye” votes and the motion passed. Members concluded the meeting by agreeing to adjourn; the motion to adjourn also passed.

The transcript does not provide details of the laborers’ grievance (claims, dates, or remedy sought) or the amounts or line items included in the bills approved. The only scheduling detail recorded was the next committee meeting set for April 23 at 9 a.m.