Opinion ID: 2248122
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: central city

Text: The Central City Education Association (CCEA) filed an unfair labor practice charge with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) alleging that Central City School District No. 133 (District 133) had unilaterally reduced in force at least four (4) bargaining unit employees represented by    [the CCEA] without adequate notice and bargaining in good faith. The executive director of the IELRB issued a complaint and notice of hearing. District 133 timely answered, and the parties filed a joint stipulation of record as well as a motion to remove the cause to the IELRB for decision. The hearing officer then ordered that the cause be removed to the IELRB for decision pursuant to 80 Ill.Adm.Code § 1120.40(f) (1991). Following the submission of briefs and oral argument, the IELRB issued its opinion, finding that a school district's decision to reduce in force (RIF) is not a mandatory subject of bargaining. ( Central City School District 133, 5 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 1056, No. 87-CA-0018-S (IELRB Mar. 2, 1989).) The IELRB also found that the impact of the decision to RIF is a mandatory subject of bargaining, but that District 133 had met its burden regarding that issue. The CCEA then filed a petition for review in the appellate court. (Ill.Rev. Stat.1989, ch. 48, par. 1716.) The appellate court reversed the decision of the IELRB, holding that a decision to RIF for economic reasons is a mandatory subject of bargaining. ( Central City, 199 Ill.App.3d 559, 145 Ill.Dec. 648, 557 N.E.2d 418.) This court allowed District 133's petition for leave to appeal (134 Ill.2d R. 315).