[Adopted 2-8-1977 (Ch. 9, Art. II, Div. 2, of the 1977 Code)]
There is hereby established a Sheriff's Department Merit Commission.
[Amended 10-14-1986 by Ord. No. 86-92]
The Sheriff's Department Merit Commission shall be composed of five members appointed by the Sheriff and approved by the County Board.
[Amended 10-14-1986 by Ord. No. 86-92[1]]
The members of the Sheriff's Department Merit Commission shall serve for six years upon their appointment. Unless the County Board specifically indicates otherwise, the term of each member shall begin on the first day of May following his appointment and shall end on the 30th day of April.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
[Amended 10-14-1986 by Ord. No. 86-92]
No more than three members appointed to the Sheriff's Department Merit Commission may be affiliated with the same political party.
Vacancies in the membership of the Sheriff's Department Merit Commission by reason of death, resignation or removal shall be filled by the appointment of a successor to the unexpired term in office then remaining. The Sheriff, with the approval of a majority of the members of the County Board, shall appoint a suitable person to serve the unexpired portion of that Commissioner's term. If the Sheriff fails to appoint a person to fill the vacancy within 30 days, the Chairman of the County Board shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired portion of the term, with the approval of a majority of the members of the County Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
The members of the Merit Commission shall receive such compensation for their services, and reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred, as may be fixed by resolution of the County Board. However, in no event may the amount of per-diem compensation established for members of the Merit Commission exceed the per-diem received by the members of the County Board.
[Amended 5-12-1987 by Ord. No. 87-05-107]
Pursuant to recognized merit principles of public employment, said Commission shall promulgate rules, regulations and procedures for the operation of said merit system governing all deputies and correctional officers, other than special deputies and those persons appointed by the Sheriff to the position of Chief Deputy Sheriff or to the administrative assistant position commonly known as "jail superintendent," employed on a full-time basis in the office of the Sheriff. Said Commission shall administer said merit system for the purposes of appointment, promotion, discipline and discharge.
As soon as practicable after appointment, the members of the Merit Commission shall meet and shall organize by selecting a Chairman, Vice Chairman and a Secretary from its membership. Meetings of the Merit Commission shall be held quarterly and as may otherwise be called by the Commission. Three members of the Merit Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Merit Commission shall keep and maintain a record of its meetings and the business conducted therein in a form directed by the County Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
[Added 10-14-1986 by Ord. No. 86-92]
Within 10 days of each meeting of the Merit Commission, the Secretary shall file a copy of the minutes of the meeting with the County Clerk. The Secretary shall also file with the County Clerk a current copy of all regulations promulgated by the Commission.
The Merit Commission is authorized to employ such clerks and technical assistants as may be necessary to transact its business and to fix their compensation as provided in the Stephenson County budget.
A. 
In the administration of the merit system, the Merit Commission shall have the power to secure by its subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers, both in support of any charges heard by the Merit Commission and in defense thereto. Each member shall have the power to administer oaths.
B. 
In case of the refusal of any person to obey a subpoena issued by the Merit Commission, any Circuit Judge, upon application by the Merit Commission, may order such person to appear before the Commission and give testimony or produce evidence, and failure to obey such order is punishable by the Court as contempt thereof.
C. 
The powers herein contained shall not be limited to those herein stated but shall be in addition to such powers as may be included within the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission.
The Administrative Review Law,[1] as now or hereafter amended and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, shall apply to and govern all proceedings for judicial review of any order of the Commission rendered pursuant to this article.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq.