2017 IL App (4th) 160347 

NOS. 4-16-0347, 4-16-0372 cons. 

IN THE APPELLATE COURT

OF ILLINOIS

FOURTH DISTRICT

SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL 

UNION, LOCAL 73, 

Petitioner, 

v. 

THE ILLINOIS LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, 

STATE PANEL; and THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY 

OF STATE,

Respondents. 

) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

)

)

) 

Direct Administrative Review of 

the Illinois Labor Relations Board, 

State Panel

Nos. S-UC-12-034 

 S-UC-14-006 

 JUSTICE POPE delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. 

 Presiding Justice Turner and Justice Knecht concurred in the judgment and 

opinion. 

OPINION

¶ 1 Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 335 (eff. Feb. 1, 1994) and section 9(i) of 

the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (Labor Act) (5 ILCS 315/9(i) (West 2012)), petitioner, 

Service Employees International Union, Local 73 (Union), seeks direct review of a decision of 

respondent, the Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel (Board), finding employees under the 

jurisdiction of respondent, the Illinois Secretary of State (Secretary), titled Executive I, 

Executive II, Drivers Facility Manager I (DFM I), and Drivers Facility Manager II (DFM II), 

were not public employees within the meaning of section 3(n) of the Labor Act (5 ILCS 315/3(n) 

(West 2012)). 

FILED

June 27, 2017 

Carla Bender

4th District Appellate

Court, IL
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¶ 2 On review, the Union (1) challenges the Board’s interpretation of section 3(n) of 

the Labor Act (5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012)) and (2) argues the Executive I, Executive II, DFM 

I, and DFM II positions did not meet the requirements for exclusion under section 3(n) of the 

Labor Act. We confirm. 

¶ 3 I. BACKGROUND

¶ 4 A. Procedural History 

¶ 5 On February 7, 2012, the Union filed a unit clarification petition with the Board, 

seeking to have the Board include all unrepresented Executive I and Executive II titled 

employees of the Secretary in an existing collective bargaining unit. On July 26, 2012, the Board 

granted the Union’s petition. Service Employees International Union, Local 73 & Illinois 

Secretary of State, 29 PERI ¶ 28 (ILRB State Panel 2012). On August 28, 2012, the Secretary 

filed a petition for direct administrative review of the Board’s decision with this court. While the 

appeal was pending, the legislature amended the Labor Act, excluding from the definition of 

“public employee” or “employee,” for purposes of the Labor Act, “a person who is a State 

employee under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State who holds the position classification of 

Executive I or higher, whose position authorizes, either directly or indirectly, meaningful input 

into government decision-making on issues where there is room for principled disagreement on 

goals or their implementation, or who is otherwise exempt under the Secretary of State Merit 

Employment Code.” 5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012). Accordingly, this court remanded the case to 

the Board with directions to enter an order vacating the prior decision and order, revoke the prior 

certification, and conduct further proceedings applying the standards and definitions set forth in 

the amendment. Illinois Secretary of State v. Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel, No. 4-

12-0796 (May 7, 2013) (unpublished summary order under Supreme Court Rule 23(c)). 
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¶ 6 On August 15, 2013, the Secretary filed a unit clarification petition with the 

Board, seeking to have it clarify whether employees titled Executive I, Executive II, DFM I, and 

DFM II, under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, were no longer public employees within the 

meaning of the Labor Act and should be excluded from collective bargaining and the bargaining 

units at issue as of the effective date of the amendment, April 5, 2013. 

¶ 7 By agreement of the parties, the Board entered an order consolidating the cases 

filed by the Union and the Secretary. Following multiple preliminary hearings and attempted 

mediation of the consolidated cases, the administrative law judge (ALJ) entered an order on June 

25, 2014, limiting the scope of the anticipated July 29, 2014, hearing on the petitions. First, she 

found the Executive I and II titled employees were no longer “public employee[s]” for purposes 

of the Labor Act following the amendment on April 5, 2013, and thus, there was “no question of 

law or fact necessitating a hearing regarding the propriety of the unit clarification petition with 

respect to the Executives I and II.” She then limited the scope of the July hearing to the issue of 

“whether the DFMs I and II meet one of the three criteria under the amended definition in 3(n) 

such that they are no longer public employees.” 

¶ 8 B. DFM I and DFM II

¶ 9 According to the “Office of the Secretary of State, Department of Personnel, 

Position Description,” the “Complete, Current and Accurate Statement of Position Duties and 

Responsibilities” for the position titled DFM I are as follows:

“Under direction of the Regional Manager, plans, supervises, coordinates and 

evaluates the activities of facility staff engaged in providing service to the public 

in a small to medium Downstate Driver Services Field Facility; responsible for 

the accounting, auditing and depositing of all monies collected; administers road 
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and/or written examinations; performs cashier functions; reviews and completes 

motor vehicle title and registration applications; attends meetings; prepares and 

submits reports; monitors the maintenance and cleanliness of facility. Requires 

valid Illinois Drivers License, ability to lift/carry 0-25 lbs. and travel to other 

facilities and/or mobile locations to perform assigned duties. 

 1. Plans, supervises coordinates and evaluates staff involved in a variety of 

activities associated with a Driver Services Field Facility, including all drivers 

license/identification card and motor vehicle services assigned to the facility; 

supervises staff activities relating to all aspects of facility operations including, 

but not limited to, coordinating all staff activities relating to processing 

applicants, facilitates and expedites processing of applicants, closely monitors 

staff engaged in processing and testing applicants to ensure adherence to 

Secretary of State policies, including uniformity and consistency of instructions 

given to applicants, etc.; determines work schedules and priorities; approves 

and/or denies time-off; assigns and/or denies overtime and travel assignments; 

handles special problems and answers questions concerning staff functions; 

provides, arranges for and/or supervises the training of employees as directed or 

needed; administers progressive discipline; participates in resolution of 

grievances; handles employee complaints. 

2. Maintains responsibility for accounting, auditing and depositing all 

monies collected by the facility.

3. Administer road examinations to applicants for all classes of driver’s 

licenses; administers and grades written drivers examinations; performs cashier 
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functions for driver’s license fees; reviews and completes motor vehicle title and 

registrations applications. 

 4. Prepares and submits reports relative to facility operations to supervisor 

including, but not limited to, weekly, monthly and periodic reports such as the 

Consumables Inventory & Order Report, the Monthly Road Test Report, the 

Monthly Motor Vehicle Title & Registration Report, Accident/Incident Reports & 

Statements, etc. 

5. Attends meetings and/or training sessions; responsible for monitoring 

the maintenance and cleanliness of the facility, as well as general appearance.

 6. Performs other duties as assigned.” 

The position duties and responsibilities for the position titled DFM II are identical, except the 

DFM II works under the direction of the regional manager and “through subordinate supervisory 

staff.” In addition, the DFM II is not restricted to work in a small to medium downstate driver 

services field facility. The DFM II may provide services in any downstate facility.

¶ 10 C. The Hearing

¶ 11 On July 29, 2014, the ALJ commenced the hearing on the consolidated cases. The 

following is a brief summary of the relevant evidence since the parties are familiar with the facts 

of this case.

¶ 12 1. Stephen Roth’s Testimony 

¶ 13 At the July 29, 2014, evidentiary hearing on the consolidated petitions, Stephen 

Roth testified he is the director of personnel for the Secretary. The Secretary employs 3700 

individuals in 23 departments. The 23 departments include Drivers Services Metro and Drivers 

Services Downstate. The Executive I and Executive II titled positions are found in the Drivers 
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Services Metro department (Chicago and the collar counties) and the DFM I and DFM II titled 

positions are found in the Drivers Services Downstate department. The titles serve only to 

distinguish between those individuals managing facilities in the Chicago area and those 

individuals managing facilities in the downstate area. Their duties and responsibilities are the 

same. According to Roth, the “functionality of the job” and the classification of the Executive I, 

Executive II, DFM I, and DFM II are the same. The Executive I and DFM I titled positions 

receive the same compensation, and the Executive II and DFM II titled positions also receive the 

same compensation. 

¶ 14 Roth confirmed “[t]he DFM title is usually associated with someone who is the 

top person at a driver’s facility.” The various individuals who report to the DFM are generally 

titled public service representative and public service clerk. 

¶ 15 2. Michael Mayer’s Testimony 

¶ 16 Michael Mayer testified he is the director of the Drivers Services Downstate

department. Mayer oversees approximately 86 downstate drivers services facilities. The DFM is 

the highest ranking employee at each of the facilities. The facilities are divided into 10 regions. 

DFMs report to 1 of 10 regional managers, and the regional managers presently report to Mayer. 

(In the past, regional managers reported to an administrator in the Field Service Bureau, who 

reported to Mayer, but according to Mayer, the position has been vacant for several years.)

Mayer reports to the chief of staff and Secretary. 

¶ 17 Mayer testified the difference between the DFM I and DFM II titled positions 

reflects the size of the facility and volume of work. Generally, a facility operating under the 

management of a DFM I employs six to nine individuals and a facility operating under the 

management of a DFM II employs more than nine individuals. 
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¶ 18 According to Mayer, the DFM is the “captain of the ship *** in charge of [the] 

operation,” with complete oversight of his employees. Specifically, he testified the DFM is 

responsible for employee training, employee discipline, employee adherence to “the proper 

procedures and policies,” and implementation and maintenance of uniform policies. Mayer 

testified the DFM is encouraged to contribute to the development of drivers facilities procedures 

“to make us the best we can be” and exercises discretion when accommodating the requests of 

those individuals in need of drivers facilities services. Additionally, the DFM performs 

accounting functions for the facility, reconciles cash receipts with daily transactions, and 

maintains records and statistics for the facility. The DFM also handles special problems 

concerning applicants for the various services offered by the facility and may alter the physical 

layout of the facility to promote greater efficiency. 

¶ 19 Mayer testified a DFM has complete discretion to grant overtime if necessary to 

accommodate a customer or customers’ needs. With regard to employee discipline, the DFM 

may engage in oral counseling with an employee, complete a written warning if necessary, and 

initiate formal disciplinary action. Mayer testified the DFMs “have full reign as to what takes 

place in that facility *** they are in charge of that facility.” 

¶ 20 Mayer characterized a 3000 page facilities operation manual as a “tool” to assist 

in all aspects of facility operation and the “red book” as a reference manual for emergency 

situations. He emphasized all DFMs work alongside their public service representatives during 

the course of their day. Mayer explained, “they need to stay involved to where they understand 

the process.” Even Mayer will “jump on a counter and work on the counter” when in the drivers 

facilities. The amount of time a DFM spends working at the counter varies depending on the 
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facility, customer needs, and staffing. They may help with lunch hours and breaks but spend 

approximately 95% of their day “doing their paperwork and getting things resolved.” 

¶ 21 3. Jay Morgan’s Testimony

¶ 22 Jay Morgan testified he has worked as a DFM I in Vienna, Illinois, for 17 years. 

He also serves as chief steward for the Union. Morgan described his “major duties” as follows: 

“I oversee the daily operations as far as the reconciling the monies, depositing the 

monies from Driver Services, Vehicles, stickers, do daily reports, reporting of 

Drivers work, Vehicles work, cash receipts.” 

He reported working alongside the public service representatives approximately 75% of his time 

and completing reports approximately 25% of his time. His facility employs three individuals in 

addition to Morgan. 

¶ 23 Morgan testified he had provided an employee “oral counseling” on four 

occasions in his 17-year career as a DFM I. On each occasion, he was advised to do so by his 

regional manager. He did not believe it was appropriate to provide an employee oral counseling 

without a directive from his regional manager. Morgan recalled two occasions where an 

employee was formally disciplined. Although he reported the conduct, he did not participate in 

determining the appropriate consequences. He was told by an administrator in 1998 he did not 

have authority to “pass out discipline.” Morgan testified he grants overtime only when a 

customer comes into the facility at the last minute. He was told by his regional manager overtime 

must be preapproved. 

¶ 24 4. Lora Wolters’s Testimony

¶ 25 Lora Wolters testified she has worked as a regional manager for Drivers Services 

Downstate for 15 years. Wolters manages region I, which includes Anna, Belleville, Cairo, 
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Carbondale, Marion, Metropolis, Nashville, Pinckneyville, Sparta, Vienna (Morgan’s drivers 

services facility), and Mobile 299. Wolters identified multiple occasions where a DFM could 

authorize overtime without preapproval. She does ask the DFM to notify her of the overtime “at 

the 15 minute mark,” just so she is not surprised when she receives the overtime report. 

¶ 26 D. ALJ and Board Decisions 

¶ 27 On December 30, 2015, the ALJ issued her recommended decision and order, 

concluding Executive I, Executive II, DFM I, and DFM II titled employees were not public 

employees within the meaning of section 3(n) of the Labor Act and thus not eligible for inclusion 

in a collective bargaining unit. (The order is 34 pages long and includes comprehensive findings 

of fact and a detailed legal analysis.) The ALJ found section 3(n) provided three exclusions to 

the definition of “public employee” or “employee” for purposes of the Labor Act. She 

enumerated the three exclusions as follows: 

“Under the applicable provision, ‘a person who is a State employee under the 

jurisdiction of the Secretary of State’ is excluded from the definition of ‘public 

employe[e]’ if he meets one of the following: 

(1) who holds the position classification of Executive I or higher; 

(2) whose position authorizes either directly or indirectly, 

meaningful input into government decision-making on issues where there 

is room for principled disagreement on goals or their implementation; or 

(3) who is otherwise exempt under the Secretary of State Merit 

Employment Code.” 

¶ 28 With regard to the Executive I and Executive II titled positions, the ALJ found the 

language of the statute clear, noting the Labor Act excludes from the definition of public 
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employee “a person who is a State employee under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State who 

holds the position classification of Executive I or higher.” 5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012). Thus, 

the ALJ found the Executive I and Executive II titled employees were not public employees for 

purposes of the Labor Act. 

¶ 29 With regard to the DFM I and DFM II titled positions, the ALJ rejected the 

Secretary’s first argument the DFMs are not public employees within the meaning of section 3(n) 

of the Labor Act because they perform “nearly identical duties” as an “Executive I or higher.” 

The ALJ reasoned the legislature could have included language referencing employees who 

exercise substantially similar duties as an Executive I or higher, but it did not. DFMs did not 

hold the position classification of Executive I or higher. 

¶ 30 However, the Secretary argued, in the alternative, the DFM positions authorize, 

either directly or indirectly, meaningful input into government decision-making on issues where 

there is room for principled disagreement on goals or their implementation, and thus, based on 

the second exclusion, they are not public employees within the meaning of section 3(n) of the 

Labor Act. The ALJ agreed, finding “room for principled disagreement in the decisions reached 

by the DFMs and their supervisors,” and further, “[t]he DFMs authorize meaningful direct or 

indirect input into the decision-making process.” The ALJ noted, “[n]o manual, no matter how 

extensive, can anticipate every situation a drivers facility may face.” Specifically, she found the 

DFMs “empowered to rearrange the schedule of intermittent employees, assign overtime, or seek 

additional staff in order to accommodate the influx of customers.” According to the ALJ, these 

“discretionary decisions *** leave ample room for principled disagreement.” She noted further, 

the DFM is the only individual authorized to exercise discretion when an individual lacks the 

required documentation for a service offered by the facility. In addition, the DFM may authorize 
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(without preapproval) overtime in a variety of circumstances, choose appropriate disciplinary 

measures, and is responsible for “addressing attendance issues, identifying performance 

deficiencies, and optimizing staff talents,” all of which require the DFM to exercise discretion.

The ALJ also found the record showed the Secretary “not only authorizes the DFMs to have 

direct input in the decision-making process, but specifically seeks it out.” The ALJ concluded 

Executive I, Executive II, DFM I, and DFM II titled employees were not public employees 

within the meaning of the Labor Act. 

¶ 31 On January 14, 2016, the Union filed its exceptions to the ALJ’s recommended 

decision and order. On January 25, 2016, the Secretary filed its exceptions and brief in response 

to the Union’s exceptions and in support of its cross-exceptions. On January 29, 2016, the Union 

filed its response to the Secretary’s cross-exceptions. 

¶ 32 Following argument on February 9, 2016, the Board upheld the ALJ’s 

recommended decision and order. The Board then directed the issuance of a certification 

excluding Executive I, Executive II, DFM I, and DFM II titled positions from the collective

bargaining unit. 

¶ 33 This direct appeal followed. 

¶ 34 II. ANALYSIS

¶ 35 A. Standard of Review 

¶ 36 Our review of the Board’s decision is governed by the Administrative Review 

Law (735 ILCS 5/3-101 to 3-113 (West 2012)). American Federation of State, County & 

Municipal Employees, Council 31 v. Illinois State Labor Relations Board, State Panel, 216 Ill.

2d 569, 577, 839 N.E.2d 479, 485 (2005). According to section 3-110 of the Administrative 
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Review Law, our “hearing and determination shall extend to all questions of law and fact 

presented by the entire record.” 735 ILCS 5/3-110 (West 2012). 

¶ 37 This court may apply three standards of review when reviewing the Board’s 

decision, depending on the nature of the question we are considering. If the question is one 

purely of fact, we deem the Board’s findings and conclusions to be “prima facie true and correct” 

(735 ILCS 5/3-110 (West 2012)), and we will overturn such findings only if they are against the 

manifest weight of the evidence. Cinkus v. Village of Stickney Municipal Officers Electoral 

Board, 228 Ill. 2d 200, 210, 886 N.E.2d 1011, 1018 (2008). A factual determination is against 

the manifest weight of the evidence if the opposite conclusion is clearly evident or if the finding 

is unreasonable, arbitrary, or not based on evidence. Cinkus, 228 Ill. 2d at 210, 886 N.E.2d at 

1018. 

¶ 38 If, however, the question is one purely of law, we give the Board no deference 

unless it resolved a genuine ambiguity in a statute or regulation it was charged with 

administering. See Illinois Bell Telephone Co. v. Illinois Commerce Comm’n, 362 Ill. App. 3d 

652, 656, 840 N.E.2d 704, 708 (2005). We decide legal questions de novo. Department of 

Central Management Services/The Department of Public Health v. Illinois Labor Relations

Board, State Panel, 2012 IL App (4th) 110013, ¶¶ 50-51, 979 N.E.2d 603. 

¶ 39 We review mixed questions of fact and law by asking whether the agency’s 

decision is clearly erroneous. AFM Messenger Service, Inc. v. Department of Employment 

Security, 198 Ill. 2d 380, 392, 763 N.E.2d 272, 280 (2001). A finding is clearly erroneous if, 

despite the existence of some evidence to support the finding, the evidence in its entirety leaves 

the reviewing court with the definite and firm conviction the finding is a mistake. AFM, 198 Ill.

2d at 393, 763 N.E.2d at 280-81. 
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¶ 40 Here, the Union first challenges the Board’s interpretation of section 3(n) of the

Labor Act, a legal question we review de novo. In its second argument, the Union contends the 

Board erred in its application of the facts to the law. As the Union’s second argument raises a 

mixed question of fact and law, we apply a clearly erroneous standard of review. 

¶ 41 B. Section 3(n) of the Labor Act 

¶ 42 The first issue raised by the Union is one of statutory interpretation. Our primary 

objective is to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the legislature. Harrisonville Telephone 

Co. v. Illinois Commerce Comm’n, 212 Ill. 2d 237, 251, 817 N.E.2d 479, 488 (2004). The most 

reliable indicator of such intent is the language of the statute, which is to be given its plain and 

ordinary meaning. Harrisonville Telephone Co., 212 Ill. 2d at 251, 817 N.E.2d at 488. Words 

and phrases should not be considered in isolation; rather, they must be interpreted in light of 

other relevant provisions and the statute as a whole. Williams v. Staples, 208 Ill. 2d 480, 487, 804 

N.E.2d 489, 493 (2004). In addition to the statutory language, the court may consider the purpose 

behind the law and the evils sought to be remedied, as well as what consequences might result 

from construing the law one way or the other. Williams, 208 Ill. 2d at 487, 804 N.E.2d at 493. 

¶ 43 Section 3(n) states the following, in relevant part:

“ ‘Public employee’ or ‘employee’, for the purposes of this Act, means any 

individual employed by a public employer, *** but excluding *** a person who is 

a State employee under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State who holds the 

position classification of Executive I or higher, whose position authorizes, either 

directly or indirectly, meaningful input into government decision-making on 

issues where there is room for principled disagreement on goals or their 
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implementation, or who is otherwise exempt under the Secretary of State Merit 

Employment Code ***.” 5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012). 

Employees excluded from the definition of “public employee” under section 3(n) of the Labor 

Act may not engage in collective bargaining. See 5 ILCS 315/6(a) (West 2012). 

¶ 44 The Union argues this portion of section 3(n) contains two different ways in 

which an individual employed by the Secretary is excluded from the definition of “public 

employee.” It contends an employee must first “hold the position of Executive I or higher” and

meet one of the two following phrases joined by the “or.” The Board interprets the relevant 

portion of section 3(n) as containing a list of three circumstances in which an employee is 

excluded from the definition of “public employee,” with each of the three phrases beginning with 

the relative pronoun “who” or “whose,” and each phrase separated by a comma. We agree with 

the Board and note the language is not ambiguous, so we have not looked to legislative history in 

reaching our conclusion. Under the plain language of section 3(n), and by properly treating the 

initial language as an independent clause (“ ‘Public employee’ or ‘employee’, for purposes of 

this Act, means any individual employed by a public employer, *** but excluding *** a person 

who is a State employee under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State”), and the three 

following clauses as dependent clauses, an employee is excluded (1) “who holds the position 

classification of Executive I or higher, [(2)] whose position authorizes, either directly or 

indirectly, meaningful input into government decision-making on issues where there is room for 

principled disagreement on goals or their implementation, or [(3)] who is otherwise exempt 

under the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code.” (Emphases added.) 5 ILCS 315/3(n) 

(West 2012). Moreover, unlike the Union’s interpretation, our interpretation does not require this 
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court to insert an additional conjunction between the first and second dependent clauses or add 

numerals and additional punctuation affecting the scope and operation of the statute. 

¶ 45 The Union also asserts we should interpret the second means of exclusion 

(“whose position authorizes, either directly or indirectly, meaningful input into government 

decision-making on issues where there is room for principled disagreement on goals or their 

implementation” (5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012))) the same as in patronage cases. The Union 

notes the language of the “policymaking exception” in section 3(n) of the Labor Act (5 ILCS 

315/3(n) (West 2012)) is the same language used by the Seventh Circuit in Nekolny v. Painter, 

653 F.2d 1164, 1169 (7th Cir. 1981). 

¶ 46 In Nekolny, the Seventh Circuit established a functional test to determine whether 

the State may constitutionally make party affiliation an appropriate employment consideration.

The issue was whether the power inherent in any given office or position authorizes a person in 

the position to provide, “either directly or indirectly, meaningful input into government 

decisionmaking on issues where there is room for principled disagreement on goals or their 

implementation.” Nekolny, 653 F.2d at 1170. The instant legislation does not concern political 

patronage and the “policymaker exception” to the first amendment’s protection of public 

employees. Instead, section 3(n) identifies positions excluded from the definition of “public 

employee,” including those individuals employed by the Secretary in a “policymaking” position. 

5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012). If the legislature intended the aforementioned language to mean 

“Nekolny exception” (or as more commonly stated, “Rutan-exempt”), as applied in political 

patronage cases, it could have stated “Nekolny exception” or “Rutan-exempt.” It did not, and we 

decline to revise the legislature’s language to read as such. 
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¶ 47 We note the language immediately following the exclusionary language at issue 

in this case identifies as excluded from the definition of “public employee,” those “employees in 

the Office of the Secretary of State who are completely exempt from jurisdiction B of the 

Secretary of State Merit Employment Code and who are in Rutan-exempt positions on or after 

[April 5, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 97-1172)].” (Emphasis added.) 5 ILCS 315/3(n) 

(West 2012). Our reading of the statute is consistent with our supreme court’s statement, 

“ ‘[w]hen the legislature uses certain language in one part of a statute and different language in 

another, we may assume different meanings were intended.’ ” State Bank of Cherry v. CGB 

Enterprises, Inc., 2013 IL 113836, ¶ 56, 984 N.E.2d 449 (quoting People v. Hudson, 228 Ill. 2d 

181, 193, 886 N.E.2d 964, 972 (2008)). 

¶ 48 C. The Positions at Issue 

¶ 49 1. Executive I and Executive II 

¶ 50 Nothing in the language of the exclusion, “a person who is a State employee 

under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State who holds the position classification of Executive 

I or higher” (5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012)), requires a factual determination. The exclusion from 

the definition of “public employee” is expressly dependent upon a position under the jurisdiction 

of the Secretary being titled Executive I or higher. To hold otherwise would be contrary to the 

clear wording of the statute. Given the plain and ordinary meaning of section 3(n), the Board did 

not err in finding an individual employed by the Secretary in positions titled Executive I and

Executive II was excluded from the definition of “public employee.” See 5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 

2012). 

¶ 51 2. DFM I and DFM II 
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¶ 52 In finding the DFM I and DFM II titled positions authorize, either directly or 

indirectly, meaningful input into government decision-making on issues where there is room for 

principled disagreement on goals or their implementation, the Board noted a broad scope of job 

duties and responsibilities associated with the position of DFM. 

¶ 53 The phrase “whose position authorizes, either directly or indirectly, meaningful 

input into government decision-making on issues where there is room for principled 

disagreement on goals or their implementation” is not defined by section 3(n) of the Labor Act (5 

ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012)), nor any other relevant statute. Because the phrase is not defined, 

“ ‘we must assume that the legislature intended the term to have its ordinary and popularly 

understood meaning.’ ” People v. Beachem, 229 Ill. 2d 237, 244, 890 N.E.2d 515, 520 (2008) 

(quoting People v. Maggette, 195 Ill. 2d 336, 349, 747 N.E.2d 339, 349 (2001)). The legislative 

history to section 3(n) provides insight into its purpose to foster efficiency in state government 

where previously “everybody who works in State Government is a member of the collective 

bargaining unit and there is nobody in charge.” 97th Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, May 

31, 2011, at 297 (statements of Representative Currie). A sponsor characterized the individuals 

to be excluded from the definition of “public employee” as “policy people” and “management.” 

97th Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, May 31, 2011, at 305 (statements of Representative 

Currie and Representative Franks). She noted the proposed amendments were an “effort to make 

sure that management people, management supervisory people in Illinois State Government *** 

are, in fact, able to serve as managers and not be members of collective bargaining units.” 97th 

Ill. Gen. Assem., House Proceedings, May 31, 2011, at 296 (statements of Representative 

Currie). 
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¶ 54 We note the Board examined, and the parties on appeal all have looked to, federal 

cases interpreting the “policymaking exception” to the first amendment’s protection of public 

employees from politically motivated dismissals. See Nekolny, 653 F.2d at 1169-70. As the 

Board found, although these cases may provide some guidance, they are not determinative of the 

issues here.

¶ 55 This case does not involve violations of first amendment freedoms of political 

belief and association. Rather, section 3(n) identifies positions excluded from the definition of 

“public employee,” including those individuals employed by the Secretary in a “policymaking” 

position. See 5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012). The test to determine whether an individual 

employed by the Secretary should be excluded from the definition of “public employee” is 

whether the position “authorizes, either directly or indirectly, meaningful input into government 

decision-making on issues where there is room for principled disagreement on goals or their 

implementation.” 5 ILCS 315/3(n) (West 2012). The facts concerning the responsibilities of the 

DFM I and DFM II positions are clear and indicate the positions are the very type the legislature 

intended to exclude from the definition of “public employee.” 

¶ 56 Specifically, Mayer testified the DFM is the highest ranking employee at each of 

the drivers services facilities and has complete oversight of his or her employees. According to 

Mayer, the DFM is responsible for employee training, employee discipline, employee adherence 

to procedures and policies, and implementation and maintenance of uniform policies. The DFM 

is encouraged to contribute to the development of drivers facilities procedures and exercises 

discretion when accommodating the requests of those individuals in need of drivers facilities 

services. The DFM also handles special problems concerning applicants for the various services 

offered by the facility and may alter the physical layout of the facility to promote greater 
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efficiency. Mayer testified the DFMs “have full reign as to what takes place in that facility *** 

they are in charge of that facility.” 

¶ 57 Substantial evidence presented by both parties demonstrated the DFM exercises 

considerable independence and responsibility and has been provided the authority to impose the 

final decision as to a settled course of action to be followed within his or her facility. 

¶ 58 Accordingly, we find the Board’s determination the DFM I and DFM II positions 

authorize, either directly or indirectly, meaningful input into government decision-making on 

issues where there is room for principled disagreement on goals or their implementation was not 

clearly erroneous.

¶ 59 Because our review of the entirety of the record does not leave us with a definite 

and firm conviction a mistake has been committed, we find the Board properly certified the 

positions at issue as excluded from collective bargaining under section 3(n) of the Labor Act.

¶ 60 D. Constitutionality of Section 3(n) 

¶ 61 In its final argument, the Union challenges the Board’s interpretation of section 

3(n) as special legislation or as violative of equal protection. The Union acknowledges the Board 

did not rule on this issue, and the transcript of the hearing reveals it was not mentioned during 

the hearing. Thus, we find the Union’s failure to obtain a ruling from the Board on this issue 

resulted in waiver on appeal. See Intercontinental Parts, Inc. v. Caterpillar, Inc., 260 Ill. App. 3d 

1085, 1090, 631 N.E.2d 1258, 1263 (1994). 

¶ 62 III. CONCLUSION

¶ 63 For the reasons stated, we confirm the Board’s decision. 

¶ 64 Confirmed.