Opinion ID: 2048265
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Appropriateness of the Bargaining Unit

Text: The proposed bargaining unit, as described in the Union's majority interest petition, included [a]ll Deputy Sheriffs below the rank of sergeant in the Sheriff's Administrative Bureau, Law Enforcement Bureau, Fugitive Apprehension Unit within the Corrections Bureau, School Liaison Unit, Gang Suppression/Problem Investigation Unit, Du Page County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (DUMEG) Consortium and Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement (BATTLE) Consortium, and excluded Deputy Sheriffs below the rank of sergeant employed by the County of DuPage and the Sheriff of DuPage County in the Sheriff's Corrections Bureau in positions in the county jail, the Sheriff's Work Alternative Program, the Young Adult Work Camp, the periodic Imprisonment unit, the Corrections Transport Unit and the Release and Detention (R & D) unit; Deputy Sheriffs of the rank of sergeant and above; all supervisory, managerial and confidential employees as defined by the Act; all civilian and non-peace officer employees of the Sheriff's Department, and all other employees of the County of DuPage and Sheriff of DuPage County. The Board rejected the Employer's argument that the foregoing unit was inappropriately narrow and determined that no unit issues existed that warranted a hearing. According to the appellate court opinion, the Employer argued on administrative review that the Board erred by excluding deputies who were assigned to the corrections bureau of the Sheriff's office from the bargaining unit. 375 Ill.App.3d at 766, 314 Ill.Dec. 409, 874 N.E.2d 319. The appellate court, however, never reached this issue because it vacated the Board's certification order based on the court's interpretation of the evidentiary requirement of section 9(a-5). Because we have already held that the appellate court erred in vacating the Board's order, we remand this matter to the appellate court to consider the Board's ruling on the appropriateness of the bargaining unit. See Waste Management of Illinois, Inc. v. Illinois Pollution Control Board, 145 Ill.2d 345, 352-53, 165 Ill.Dec. 875, 585 N.E.2d 606 (1991) (where this court reversed the appellate court decision on administrative review and remanded the matter to the appellate court to consider issue raised on review but not considered).