Burr Ridge trustees table revisions to personnel manual after questions on drug, alcohol and confidentiality language

Trustee Russ Smith told the Burr Ridge Village Board on Jan. 13 that he supported tightening the personnel manual’s drug-free and alcohol-workplace provisions after a police-related incident last April and recommended stronger language that could lead to termination for violations.

Attorney commentary and staff responses in the meeting cautioned that an automatic-termination provision may not be lawful in all circumstances, particularly for employees covered by union agreements or state law. The board discussed definitional questions—whether a village vehicle or off-site work counts as being on duty, and how to define “workday” so the policy applies when an employee is conducting Village business even if off-site.

Trustee discussion also ranged to the policy’s alcohol-concentration threshold. One trustee urged a 0.0% workplace tolerance for employees operating Village vehicles or equipment, noting private-sector precedents and safety concerns; staff said state law could constrain the village if different thresholds are required by statute.

Other topics raised included confidentiality expectations for elected officials after closed-session discussions, wellness incentive structure, and the treatment of Village vehicles and smoking policy language in the manual. Several trustees requested more precise drafting and specific attorney review on the termination language and definitional issues.

After discussion, Trustee Smith moved to table approval of the ordinance amending the Village personnel manual and return it at a later meeting with revisions and legal review; the motion carried by roll call vote.