Court Opinion

ID: 4185290
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-07-11 22:07:47.57595+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:39:42.712760
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                        June 27, 2017
                                    2017 IL App (4th) 160347                            Carla Bender
                                                                                    4th District Appellate
                                NOS. 4-16-0347, 4-16-0372 cons.                           Court, IL

                                 IN THE APPELLATE COURT

                                          OF ILLINOIS

                                      FOURTH DISTRICT

 SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL                            )   Direct Administrative Review of
 UNION, LOCAL 73,                                           )   the Illinois Labor Relations Board,
            Petitioner,                                     )   State Panel
            v.                                              )   Nos. S-UC-12-034
 THE ILLINOIS LABOR RELATIONS BOARD,                        )         S-UC-14-006
 STATE PANEL; and THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY                    )
 OF STATE,                                                  )
                                                            )
            Respondents.

                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)).
¶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)).

                                               -2-
¶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

                                               -3-
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

                                -4-
                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

                                                   -5-
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.

                                                -6-
¶ 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

                                                  -7-
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,

                                              -8-
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

                                               -9-
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

                                               - 10 -
(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

                                               - 11 -
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.

                                              - 12 -
¶ 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

                                               - 13 -
               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

                                              - 14 -
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.

                                               - 15 -
¶ 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

                                              - 16 -
¶ 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).

                                              - 17 -
¶ 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.

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