Cook County Public Defenders Blog

We all knew that assistant public defenders in Cook County get results that are just as good as the privates, but now a study, released by Richard Hartley, a researcher at University of Texas – San Antonio, has the data to back it up.  Hartley and his team studied 2850 cases in Cook County and found that the results public defenders got were just as good as the ones the private attorneys got.  The study also showed that of the 2850 cases they looked at, 91% were handled by public defenders.  For more stories on the study, follow these links:

http://www.miller-mccune.com/legal-affairs/public-defenders-as-effective-as-private-attorneys-21292/

http://www.abajournal.com/weekly/article/public_defenders_are_just_as_effective_as_private_counsel_study_says

Now tell us something we don’t know.

The annual Summer Bash this year was a great evening that climaxed with the wonderful fireworks display that rivals some 4th of July fireworks in many communities.  This year’s event featured an american foods buffet and an open bar for the members.  Most of the members who attended the event donated a total of $3000 dollars to the Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship, which benefits three outstanding law clerks each year with a $2500 award.  Thank you to all the sisters and brothers who donated their checks to the scholarship fund!  Special thanks to Local secretary, Amy Thompson (HTF) and also Cindy Brown (HTF) for organizing and coordinating the event.

The election for Union Trustee began with nominations.  Four candidates were nominated: Kevin Ochalla  (incumbent)(26th), Presita West (26th), Eleanor Roos (26th) and Rosa Silva (26th).  The election which was subsequently held did not yield a majority vote getter and so the two leading vote getters, Ochalla and Silva will compete in a runoff election with a date, time and location yet to be determined by the board.

The date and time for the Union Softball Challenge has been set:  August 21, 2010, 4pm, Rutherford Sayre Park, located at Oak Park Avenue and Belden in Chicago.  All APDs wanting to participate should contact Brendan Max (HTF)or Kevin Ochalla (26th St).  Remember, it’s the Senior Squad (APDs 40+ years) versus the Freshman (APDs under 40 years).  The game will be followed by a pizza/beverage/boasting party at a nearby site to be announced soon.

It is time again to start preparing for the Union Summer Bash.  This year we will be at the Navy Pier Beer Garden, again.  It was alot of fun last year and the best time is yet to come.  The party will be held on August 18th, starting at 6:00pm and going to 9:00.  After the party, their will be fireworks off the end of the pier. 
 
This year’s event will also include nominations and an election for Trustee. If you wish to nominate someone, please be present at the beginning of the party.  We will accept nominations until 7:00 pm and the vote will take place immediately afterward.  Trustees serve a two year term.
 
Please reserve your spot now by sending a refundable check made out to the Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship Fund for $15. Law clerks may attend free, but the attorney they work for, or they themselves, must reserve their spot by sending the same $15 refundable check.  Guests of members are also welcome for a cost of $35. (to be donated to the Jack Carey Scholarship Fund). All checks must be recieved by Amy Thompson,  at 26th Street on the 8th Floor, through interoffice mail or in person, no later than August 13th, 2010.  There will be NO EXCEPTIONS this year.  Asking for special consideration will disqualify you from attendance and any bounced check will result in disqualification from attendance at the next 3 Union sponsored events. 
 
I look forward to seeing you all on the pier.

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Union is permitted to request job audits on behalf of bargaining unit members  who believe that they are working above their grade.  The purpose of the audit process is to try to establish with County Human Resources that attorneys are doing work above their grade and should be promoted as a result.  If you believe that you are working above your grade, you can do the following:

• Send a memo to Local President, Bob Galhotra that includes your name, job site, grade and seniority date.
• Describe in detail work that you are doing above your grade, including specific cases and specific job duties.
• Attach 2 copies of any motions, transcripts, or other materials that you believe support your job audit request.
• Get all materials to Bob Galhotra at 26^th and California by August 31, 2010, the deadline for an audit requests.

Keep in mind that the Union’s involvement in the audit process will be to receive all materials, tender them to Management, and formally request audits pursuant to the CBA.  The Union will not be actively involved in “making the case” for individual attorneys.  That is your job through your detailed audit requests.  Good luck.

It’s time to reach for the time request off form because August 20, 2010 is the date for the annual baseball game fundraiser to benefit the JACK CAREY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

This year’s event is an afternoon Cubs Game at Wrigley field aganist the Atlanta Braves. After the game, we are having a three hour party at Rockit Bar and Grill located on the northwest corner of Clark and Waveland, only a couple minute walk from our seats in the left field terrace reserved section.  At Rockit, we will be in the exclusive Upper Deck area with unlimited beer, including Corona, wine, soft drinks and mixers; ther will also be food from their award winning menu including fresh fruit. The early bird special is only $95. After July 5, the ticket price goes to $110, so don’t delay, buy your tickets as soon as possible.  If you’re on trial and can’t make the game, buy the “party only” wristband for $60. Times are tough but please support this worthwhile cause that was meant to recognize outstanding law clerks while honoring one of our own too.

By the way, the 25th scholar, Ryan Carlsen, was selected as the winner for the summer and the July 1st deadline for the fall scholarship is fast approaching. 2nd and 3rd year law students are encouraged to apply for the $2500 award.

jcsf2010flyer-1

Get ready for the 1st Annual PD Softball Challenge.  Bragging rights are on the line.  Two teams of PDs will play each other in a winner-takes-all 16 inch co-ed game.  The catch: teams will be divided along maturity lines.  One team will consist of 40+ aged PDs, while the other team will be young guns under 40.  If you are interested in a roster spot, call the respective team captains: 40+ team members call Brendan Max at 869-2807, Under-40 team members call Kevin Ochalla at 869-6053.  After teams are set, we will select a date and location that is convenient for both teams.

After the game, the Union will sponsor a pizza/beverage party for both teams.

The Local’s  Annual Golf Outing is being planned for June 17, 2010 at Water’s Edge Golf Course located at 11605 S. Harlem Avenue, Worth, Illinois.  We are limiting play to 72 golfers (18) foursomes.

There will be a shotgun start so all will finish at roughly  the same time.  All golfers should be at the course ready to go at noon.  Details of the package are being negotiated with course management but it will most likely be similar to what we have had in the past (cart, lunch, dinner, some drinks, greens fees).  Per the decision of the Local’s Executive Board, all players must submit a check made out to AFSCME LOCAL 3315 in the amount of $50 per person as a deposit. The deposit will be refunded for dues paying members who golf upon request on day of event.  Refunds of deposits will not be made for golfers who are guests or retirees.

NO ONE SHOULD TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES TO CANCEL THE OUTING BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER.  Last year proved that it is unlikely that rain will result in no golf for the whole day.  If you sign up, show up.  

Foursome’s can register only by inter-office mail to DAVE FIGURA MDD@26thST.    Send the names of people in your foursome and at least one contact number so we can communicate information to each group.  Singles, twosomes and threesomses should follow the same procedure.  Be sure to send the checks – cash will not be accepted.  The union will ban any member from the next (3)  Local events (holiday party, navy pier party) if the check bounces. We will pair up groups as necessary.  This is first come first served so don’t delay.  

Those coming “just for dinner” should write that in the memo portion of your check for $50.

DAVID FIGURA, MDD

2010 GOLF COMMITTEE CHAIR

The Union’s Summer party has been scheduled for August 18th this year at the beer garden at Navy Pier.  For those of you who attended last year’s event, you will remember that we received great treatment by the people on the pier and were in close proximity to the band.  For those of us who stayed to the end, we got to enjoy the fireworks closeup.  The menu will be the same, the bar the same, the fireworks will be there.  All we need are the people to make the night a success.  Please keep the evening open and check back here to learn how and when to RSVP.  You will likely have to forward a check made out to the Jack Carey Scholarship Fund, but the guest policy has not been determined.  Keep checking back and we’ll have that information for you soon.

Here is a message from Sara Spivy, the chair of the Local’s newly commissioned  Accurate Seniority List Committee:

The time has come not for you to ask what your union can do for you, but what you can do for your union.

As many of you know, the current Seniority List is inaccurate.  Not only are some people listed more than once, but many have wrong hiring dates.  It is important that we update and maintain the list to ensure that any discrepancies which come up concerning promotions or salaries can be resolved quickly and efficiently.  To that end, please review the information on the most recent Seniority List and forward to me any corrections that need to be made to your information.

Because I am moving offices and don’t have a permanent phone number, you can reach me by calling the 7th floor Reception Desk at 26th Street 869-3217 (773 area code) or via interoffice mail at 26th Street . Please include a way I can reach you to confirm receipt of the new information.

Sara Spivy

AFSCME  Certified Steward