KANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTRACT INCLUDES DRUG TESTING

Under a four-year collective bargaining agreement approved Wednesday,
some 120 union employees at the Kane County Sheriff's Department will
be required to submit to random drug tests.

Drug use among those whose job it is to uphold the law can compromise
safety and integrity, said Sheriff Pat Perez, who pledged during his
2006 campaign to institute the policy. He believes random testing will
deter drug abuse.

"Just the thought of not knowing if your number is going to be called
is a deterrent," Perez said. "If they're tempted, they won't make the
wrong choice."

The policy applies not only to deputies but also to emergency
dispatchers, records clerks and other civilian employees covered by
the contract between the county, the sheriff's office and the
Policemen's Benevolent Labor Committee/American Federation of State
County and Municipal Employees Local 245.

"It's important for someone who's a dispatcher answering 911 calls,
someone keeping records for our agency -- we've all got to be on top
of our game," Perez said.

Provena Health will administer the tests to up to four employees each
month. Those who test positive will have a chance to offer an
explanation. For example, an employee using a prescription medication
that triggers a positive result can present the medication to officials.

Those who test positive without such an excuse could be disciplined
and/or invited to participate in the department's employee assistance
program, Perez said. They also could be subjected to additional random
testing in the future.

Other local police departments that require random drug testing
include the Illinois State Police and the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

The bargaining agreement also stipulates annual 4 percent raises and a
wage increase for dispatchers to bring their salaries in line with the
industry standard, Perez said.

Employees have been working without an agreement since Nov. 30, 2006.
The agreement is retroactive to Dec. 1, 2006, and expires Nov. 30,
2010.