By Eric Stock
SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that says Bloomington can reduce sick-leave buyback benefits for firefighters.
The ruling by the 4th District Appellate Court in Springfield affirms a 2015 ruling in McLean County which sided with the city.
The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 49 challenged an arbitrator’s ruling in November of 2013 which said the city could reduce maximum payouts for future firefighters to help reduce the city’s $37.6 million unfunded liability in the union’s pension fund.
The union had argued that the arbitrator’s decision was arbitrary because it did not immediately affect the city’s pension ruling.
The appeals court said the arbitrator did not make pension funding an issue.
The court also struck down the union’s claim for statutory interest on $1,000 payments the city offered union members in lieu of the benefits.
Efforts to contact union officials were unsuccessful.
City officials last fall considered reigning in its sick leave buyback program for city employees after reports had surfaced that some were taking advantage of the program to spike their pensions. The city council decided against making any changes, citing the likelihood of a legal challenge.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
