Court Opinion

ID: 3144032
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:01:38.215731+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:11:29.089917
License: Public Domain

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
                                        Appellate Court

   City of Bloomington v. Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel, 2011 IL App (4th)
100778

Appellate Court             THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON, Petitioner-Appellant, v. THE
Caption                     ILLINOIS LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, STATE PANEL; and THE
                            POLIC E MEN’ S BENEVOLENT AND P ROT EC TIV E
                            ASSOCIATION LABOR COMMITTEE, Respondents-Appellees.

District & No.              Fourth District
                            Docket No. 4–10–0778

Filed                       June 13, 2011

Held                       The Illinois Labor Relations Board properly granted respondent police
(Note: This syllabus union’s motion for attorney fees and costs against petitioner city based
constitutes no part of the on testimony the city presented in a hearing on an unfair-labor-practice
opinion of the court but charge arising from the failure to promote an officer to the rank of
has been prepared by the lieutenant that was “without reasonable cause and found to be untrue.”
Reporter of Decisions for
the convenience of the
reader.)

Decision Under              Petition for review of order of Illinois Labor Relations Board, State
Review                      Panel, No. SCA04120.

Judgment                    Affirmed.
Counsel on                  Linda M. Doyle (argued) and Monica M. Quinn, both of McDermott
Appeal                      Will & Emery LLP, of Chicago, for petitioner.

                            Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Chicago (Michael A. Scodro,
                            Solicitor General, and Eric Truett (argued), Assistant Attorney General,
                            of counsel), for respondent Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel.

                            Joel A. D’Alba and Margaret Angelucci, both of Asher, Gittler &
                            D’Alba, Ltd., of Chicago, for respondent Policemen’s Benevolent and
                            Protective Association Labor Committee.

Panel                       JUSTICE McCULLOUGH delivered the judgment of the court, with
                            opinion.
                            Presiding Justice Knecht and Justice Appleton concurred in the
                            judgment and opinion.

                                             OPINION

¶1           The City of Bloomington (City) seeks direct administrative review of a decision of the
        Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel (Board), that granted a motion by The
        Policemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Labor Committee (Union) for attorney
        fees and costs against the City. The City argues (1) the Union failed to serve its motion on
        the City and (2) the Board’s award had no basis. Policemen’s Benevolent & Protective Ass’n
        Labor Committee, 26 PERI ¶ 99, No. S–CA–04–120 (ILRB State Panel Aug. 27, 2010)
        (hereinafter 26 PERI ¶ 99). We affirm.
¶2           In 2004, the Union filed an unfair-labor-practice charge with the Board, alleging the City
        violated the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (Act) (5 ILCS 315/10(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(4)
        (West 2002)) by (1) denying Sergeant Paul Williams a promotion to the rank of lieutenant
        because of his union activity and (2) unilaterally changing promotion procedures. On
        November 30, 2009, following hearings in the matter, an administrative law judge (ALJ)
        issued a recommended decision and order. Policemen’s Benevolent & Protective Ass’n Labor
        Committee, 26 PERI ¶ 99, No. S–CA–04–120 (Administrative Law Judge’s Recommended
        Decision and Order Nov. 30, 2009), at 404 (hereinafter ALJ decision, 26 PERI ¶ 99). The
        ALJ agreed, in part, with the Union’s position, finding the City’s denial of a promotion to
        Williams was motivated by union animus.
¶3           According to the ALJ’s decision, the City’s police department had a procedure for
        promoting to the rank of lieutenant that had three elements: a written examination, an

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     assessment, and the awarding of merit and efficiency points to each candidate by assistant
     chiefs and current lieutenants. The three elements were evaluated and compiled into a final
     score that was submitted to the chief of police, Roger Aikin. Aikin then had the discretion
     to appoint a lieutenant from the three top-scoring candidates. The ALJ found Aikin
     repeatedly stated to other police department officers that he would promote in rank order
     unless he had a good reason not to do so.
¶4       In 2003, Williams was a candidate for promotion to the rank of lieutenant. The parties
     stipulated that Williams was a Union member, served as its president and on its negotiation
     team, and had filed at least one grievance on the Union’s behalf. They also agreed that such
     activity was protected under the Act. With respect to the promotion decision at issue,
     Williams was the highest-ranking candidate but was passed over by Aikin in favor of a
     lower-ranking candidate.
¶5       The ALJ noted Aikin’s only expressed reason for bypassing Williams was the low
     number of merit and efficiency points he received during the promotion process. The ALJ
     found the record “devoid” of similar reliance on the number of merit and efficiency points
     in connection with previous promotion decisions. He specifically referenced a prior instance
     where the highest-ranking candidate was promoted despite the fact that he also had a lower
     number of merit and efficiency points than another candidate. The ALJ found Aikin’s
     reliance on low merit and efficiency points was inconsistent and concluded the only apparent
     difference between Williams, who was passed over, and the previous candidate, who was
     promoted, was Williams’s union activity.
¶6       The ALJ’s decision that the City was motivated by union animus in bypassing Williams
     was also based, in part, on Aikin’s testimony at the hearing. Specifically, Aikin testified he
     chose to pass over Williams for the promotion to lieutenant because of Williams’s (1) prior
     refusal to become head of the vice unit, (2) alleged request that a secretary change the
     minutes of a staff meeting, (3) lack of concern about money spent on binders for
     investigative documents, and (4) remark to Aikin that Aikin would be “gutted” at a union
     meeting. The ALJ found Aikin had not previously articulated any of those reasons either at
     the time of his decision not to promote Williams or during related federal court proceedings.
     He stated as follows:
         “The shifting of Aikin’s reasons for his decision points to the conclusion that it was
         based on union animus. Additionally, the validity of Aikin’s asserted reasons are suspect
         as there is no evidence that Aikin did anything to validate their legitimacy. For example,
         while Aikin asked and knew Williams did not want the vice unit position he never asked
         Williams about whether he wanted a promotion to lieutenant. Nor did Aikin talk to [the
         secretary] or Williams about the meeting minutes incident or check into the additional
         cost or necessity of the more expensive binders. Additionally, while Aikin denied the
         ‘gutted’ remark had an influence on his decision he also admitted he was not happy about
         it and considered it evidence of disloyalty that supported his decision to deny
         Williams’[s] promotion.” ALJ decision, 26 PERI ¶ 99, at 412.
¶7       Neither party filed exceptions to the ALJ’s decision. However, on January 4, 2010, the
     Union filed a motion with the Board for attorney fees and costs against the City pursuant to

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       section 11(c) of the Act (5 ILCS 315/11(c) (West 2008)) and title 80, section 1220.90(e), of
       the Illinois Administrative Code (Code) (80 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.90(e) (2010)). It alleged
       the City made allegations or denials without reasonable cause that were found to be untrue.
       The Union pointed to formal denials in the City’s answer to the Union’s charge, as well as
       Aikin’s testimony as to his previously unstated reasons for denying Williams the promotion.
¶8          On August 27, 2010, the Board issued its decision in the matter. 26 PERI ¶ 99. It declined
       to impose sanctions on the City for its answers to the Union’s complaint. However, the Board
       did award the Union attorney fees and costs for Aikin’s hearing testimony. The Board stated
       as follows:
                 “We are far more troubled by the [City’s] assertions raised for the first time during
            the hearing which were not only found by the ALJ to be untrue (a finding not challenged
            by the [City]) but so blatantly false that the ALJ found they constituted further evidence
            of union animus (again, a finding not challenged by the [City]). The [City] had full
            opportunity to understand its case at this point in time, and may properly be criticized for
            presenting never-before-offered false alternative reasons for its conduct toward Williams.
            For this reason, and because the [City] raises no objection, we grant the motion for
            attorney fees and costs.” 26 PERI ¶ 99, at 404.
¶9          This appeal followed.
¶ 10        On appeal, the City first argues the Board’s decision should be reversed because the
       Union did not serve its motion for attorney fees and costs on the City. It contends it had no
       notice that the Union’s motion had been filed and no opportunity to respond to the Union’s
       claims.
¶ 11        The Code sets forth requirements for proceedings before the Board. It states unfair-labor-
       practice charges and other documents must “be served by the party filing the document on
       all other parties to the proceedings.” 80 Ill. Adm. Code 1200.20(e) (2010). “When a party is
       represented in a proceeding before the Board, service shall be on the party’s representative.”
       80 Ill. Adm. Code 1200.20(e) (2010).
            “The document shall not be considered properly served unless accompanied by proof of
            service. Proof of service shall consist of a written statement, signed by the party effecting
            service, detailing the name of the party served and the date and manner of service.” 80
            Ill. Adm. Code 1200.20(e) (2010).
¶ 12        Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11(b)(3) (eff. Dec. 29, 2009) permits service of documents
       by mail. The Code’s procedures for the Board also provide that service of a document by
       mail “shall be presumed complete 3 days after mailing, if proof of service shows the
       document was properly addressed.” 80 Ill. Adm. Code 1200.30(c) (2010). However, the
       presumption “may be overcome by the addressee, with evidence establishing that the
       document was not delivered or was delivered at a later date.” 80 Ill. Adm. Code 1200.30(c)
       (2010).
¶ 13        Here, the record contains evidence that the Union complied with the Code’s service
       requirements. On January 4, 2010, the Union filed its motion for attorney fees and costs.
       Along with that motion, it filed a notice of its filing and a certificate of service, stating the
       Union’s attorney, Joel D’Alba, served its motion on the City by mailing a copy to the City’s

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       attorney, Linda Doyle. The certificate of service contained all of the information required by
       the Code, including Doyle’s address, the date of the mailing, and D’Alba’s signature. On
       January 5, 2010, the Union filed errata sheets in connection with the previous day’s filings
       to correct typographical errors. Again, it filed a notice of filing and a certificate of service,
       showing service of its documents by mail on Doyle. This second certificate of service also
       properly set forth Doyle’s address, the date of the mailing, and D’Alba’s signature.
¶ 14       Despite evidence that the Union mailed a copy of its motion to the City the same day it
       was filed, the City claims it was never served and such lack of service provides a basis for
       reversing the Board’s award of sanctions. As evidence that it was not served, the City
       attached Doyle’s affidavit to its notice of appeal. In her affidavit, Doyle asserted she had
       received the Board’s order imposing sanctions, she was the City’s attorney, and neither she
       nor any other counsel had been served with the Union’s motion.
¶ 15       The Union correctly states it is improper for this court to consider Doyle’s affidavit
       because it was not part of the administrative record. See 735 ILCS 5/3–110 (West 2008); see
       also Burgess v. Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, 209 Ill. App. 3d 821, 827, 568
N.E.2d 430, 434 (1991) (“It is well established that affidavits which were not made a part of
       the record in proceedings before the administrative agency may not be considered in an
       administrative review action.”). However, even consideration of Doyle’s affidavit would not
       warrant a finding that the Union failed to serve its motion on the City. Specifically, “[s]ervice
       by mail is not invalid simply because a party denies receiving it.” Thompson v. Department
       of Employment Security, 399 Ill. App. 3d 393, 395, 928 N.E.2d 528, 530 (2010).
¶ 16       In the case at bar, the Union filed a certificate of service with its motion for attorney fees
       and costs that met the requirements for service as set forth in the Code. The City raises no
       claim that the certificate of service was deficient. Additionally, not only was a certificate of
       service filed with the Union’s motion, one was also filed the following day with the Union’s
       errata sheets. Notably, the City makes no reference to this second filing, which would also
       have put it on notice that the Union was asking for sanctions. The City has never disclaimed
       service of the Union’s errata sheets. Given these facts, we find the Union’s motion was
       properly served.
¶ 17       On appeal, the City next argues Aikin’s hearing testimony did not provide an appropriate
       basis for the Board’s award of attorney fees and costs. The Act provides for an award of
       sanctions as follows:
           “The Board’s order may in its discretion also include an appropriate sanction, based on
           the Board’s rules and regulations, and the sanction may include an order to pay the other
           party or parties’ reasonable expenses including costs and reasonable attorney’s fee, if the
           other party has made allegations or denials without reasonable cause and found to be
           untrue ***.” (Emphasis added.) 5 ILCS 315/11(c) (West 2008).
       The Board’s rules permit a party to request sanctions from the Board even though it did not
       move for sanctions before the ALJ and even though the ALJ did not recommend sanctions.
       80 Ill. Adm. Code 1220.90(e) (2010). The Board’s award of sanctions is subject to an abuse-
       of-discretion standard of review. Wood Dale Fire Protection District v. Illinois Labor
       Relations Board, State Panel, 395 Ill. App. 3d 523, 535, 916 N.E.2d 1229, 1239 (2009).

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¶ 18        Here, the Board granted the Union’s motion for sanctions against the City based on
       Aikin’s testimony as to the various reasons he did not promote Williams to lieutenant. At
       issue was Aikin’s testimony that he passed on Williams because of Williams’s (1) prior
       refusal to become head of the vice unit, (2) alleged request that a secretary change the
       minutes of a staff meeting, (3) lack of concern about money spent on binders for
       investigative documents, and (4) remark to Aikin that Aikin would be “gutted” at a union
       meeting. The Board noted Aikin had never before raised those assertions against Williams
       as a basis for his promotion decision. It also pointed out that the ALJ made the unchallenged
       finding that Aikin’s assertions were untrue and “so blatantly false” that “they constituted
       further evidence of union animus.” The Board determined the City could “properly be
       criticized for presenting never-before-offered false alternative reasons for its conduct toward
       Williams.” The record shows the Board acted within its discretion in awarding the Union
       attorney fees and costs.
¶ 19        Initially, we note the Board relied upon the ALJ’s findings in reaching its decision.
       Although, on appeal, the City may properly challenge the Board’s decision, it may not
       challenge the ALJ’s findings and decision. In unfair-labor-practice proceedings, a party must
       file exceptions to an ALJ’s decision no later than 30 days after service of that decision. 80
       Ill. Adm. Code 1200.135(b)(1) (2010). “A party not filing timely exceptions waives its right
       to object to the Administrative Law Judge’s recommended decision and order.” 80 Ill. Adm.
       Code 1200.135(b)(1) (2010). The City never filed any exceptions to the ALJ’s decision.
¶ 20        In support of its challenge to the Board’s decision, the City argues Aikin’s sanctioned
       testimony did not constitute “allegations or denials” as required by the Act and the Board’s
       own rules. It maintains sanctions were improperly “based on testimony regarding the
       witness’s state of mind and reasoning in making a promotion decision.” However, the word
       “allegation” means:
            “1. The act of declaring something to be true. 2. Something declared or asserted as a
            matter of fact, esp. in a legal pleading; a party’s formal statement of a factual matter as
            being true or provable, without its having yet been proved.” Black’s Law Dictionary 81
            (8th ed. 2004).
       When testifying, Aikin asserted and declared as fact his reasons for failing to promote
       Williams. His testimony clearly constituted “allegations” that were subject to sanctions.
¶ 21        The City also argues Aikin’s testimony was not made “without reasonable cause.” It
       notes the ALJ never made such a finding. However, while the ALJ never expressly stated
       Aikin’s asserted reasons were without reasonable cause, the issue of sanctions was not before
       the ALJ. Additionally, the ALJ did determine that Aikin’s asserted reasons were suspect
       because he did nothing to validate their legitimacy. The ALJ stated:
            “For example, while Aikin asked and knew Williams did not want the vice unit position
            he never asked Williams about whether he wanted a promotion to lieutenant. Nor did
            Aikin talk to [the secretary] or Williams about the meeting minutes incident or check into
            the additional cost or necessity of the more expensive binders.” ALJ decision, 26 PERI
            ¶ 99, at 412.
¶ 22        The record shows Aikin asserted reasons for his decision to pass over Williams that were

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       never previously articulated and which he did not investigate or substantiate. The Board
       acted within its discretion in concluding Aikin’s allegations were without reasonable cause.
¶ 23       The City also argues the cases cited by the Board do not support an award of sanctions.
       It contends the cases are distinguishable because (1) the subject of the sanctions in those
       cases were factual allegations and not state-of-mind testimony and (2) the sanctioned party
       admitted having no basis for making the allegations. As discussed, Aikin’s testimony in this
       case contained sanctionable allegations of fact and the Board’s decision is not reversible on
       that basis. Also, the Act, Code, or case law imposes no requirement that a party must make
       an admission of baselessness to be sanctioned. The lack of an express admission by the City
       in this case does not warrant reversal of the Board’s decision.
¶ 24       Finally, we find meritless the City’s contention that upholding the Board’s decision
       would create an unacceptable precedent that allows all nonprevailing parties to be
       sanctioned. The Board’s decision in the instant case was based on the specific facts
       presented. This is not a case where the Board awarded sanctions to punish the City merely
       for defending itself against the Union’s unfair-labor-practice claims.
¶ 25       The record shows the City attempted to support its decision to pass over Williams with
       reasons that were never previously asserted as a basis for its decision and some of which had
       never been investigated or established as true. The ALJ determined the City’s additional
       reasons for its promotion decision were not valid and evidence of union animus. The Board
       did not abuse its discretion by finding the testimony at issue constituted “allegations or
       denials” made “without reasonable cause and found to be untrue” and awarding sanctions.
¶ 26       For the reasons stated, we affirm the Board’s decision.
¶ 27       Affirmed.

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