The Illinois FOP Labor Council

The Labor Council provides full service union representation in negotiating and enforcing union contracts, improving salaries, working conditions and benefits for law enforcement professionals throughout Illinois.

Our members are protected 24 hours a day by a staff of 9 full-time, in-house attorneys and staff members who have the best proven track record of winning. We represent law enforcement professionals exclusively and full-time. When someone wants an expert, they call in the FOP Labor Council.

Standing up for our members effectively and responsibly is a daily occurrence. No unit is too big or too small. We provide training seminars and conduct annual meetings where our members determine the direction of their Labor Council.


IL FOP Labor Council 26th Annual Meeting

The 26th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council will be held at the Chateau of Bloomington located at 1601 Jumer Drive in Bloomington, Illinois on March 12 and 13, 2010. To receive the Labor Council guaranteed room rate ($95.00 for single or double), reservations need to be made directly with the hotel (309-662-2020) by February 15, 2010.

The keynote speaker will be Robert E. Douglas, Jr., Executive Director of The National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation. Watch the Labor Council News and our web site for more information concerning the business agenda and entertainment as the meeting approaches.

The last date for submission of proposed amendments to the By-Laws is January 11, 2010. All proposed amendments to the By-Laws must be submitted by that date, and in resolution form, to the Secretary of the Executive Board at the Labor Council's Springfield office, 974 Clock Tower Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62704-1304.

The members of the Executive Board and employees look forward to seeing you in Bloomington next March.

Downloadable Registration Form


Tom Sonneborn Announces Retirement from Labor Council

Tom Sonneborn, who has served as the General Counsel for the Labor Council during its entirety, has announced his retirement, effective the end of 2009. Tom leaves behind a legacy that is unmatched among his peers.


Prior to the twenty plus years he worked for the Labor Council, Tom was in private law practice in Springfield. His practice focused upon firefighter and police collective bargaining disputes across the State of Illinois, even prior to the passage of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Without statutory protections (such as ULPs) to assist in the resolution of disputes and bargaining impasse procedures (such as interest arbitration), Tom had to be creative in resolving union issues.


Tom's unparalleled experience in collective bargaining made him a natural to lead the Labor Council through the early years of its existence. As the union membership grew, Tom became not only the chief legal authority and the primary person assigned to resolve the toughest union disputes, but he assisted in the hiring and training of a full staff of lawyers, field representatives and administrators that could maintain the highest level of union service to the law enforcement community.


Tom became a successful pioneer of interest arbitration in Illinois. With the passage of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the innovation of interest arbitration as the method to resolve bargaining impasses for police and fire fighters, Tom worked from a blank slate and soon became the most experienced Illinois litigator in this procedure which now has well-settled principles and procedures.


During his years of service, Tom maintained a visible presence in both the Springfield office and the Chicago-area office. But Tom will be remembered for the tireless hours he spent driving across the highways of Illinois, from one end of the State to the other, to meet personally with members and to find a way to resolve their most complicated labor disputes.


The staff of the Labor Council warmly and affectionately wish Tom the very best in his retirement. He departs from the daily pressures of a hectic job having earned the admiration and respect of both his co-workers and his opponents, which is a standard that few if any can achieve in their chosen profession.

 


We Remember Our Fallen Officers...



Lieutenant Greg Jonas
Centreville Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Lieutenant Greg Jonas was shot and killed while patrolling an apartment complex in Centreville. Lieutenant Jonas was on patrol when he was shot in the 4700 block of Tudor Avenue. It is believed that he was questioning at least one individual at approximately 2:00 am when he was shot.

Lieutenant Jonas had served with the Centreville Police Department for 15 years. He is survived by his wife.




Police Officer Alejandro (Alex) Valadez
Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Monday, June 1, 2009
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Officer Alex Valadez was shot and killed while investigating reports of gunfire on South Hermitage Road shortly after midnight. As he and his partner were questioning several residents a vehicle drove up and an occupant opened fire, striking Officer Valadez once in the leg and once in the head.

Officer Valadez had served with the agency for three years. He is survived by his parents, sister, brother, and expectant girlfriend. His siblings and girlfriend also serve with the Chicago Police Department.


Memorial information and design courtesy of Officer Down Memorial Page,used with permission.
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