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| National Guard Honors State Police, Other Businesses |
A plaque that honors "above and beyond" is now in the hands of the Illinois State Police. The Illinois National Guard has presented the award because the State Police are doing more than required by federal law to protect the jobs and benefits of employees who are called up.
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) dictates that employers cannot fire workers for being in the guard or reserves, or for being called up. But the Illinois guard says the State Police do even more, such as honoring seniority and making up the difference between a guard member's service pay and State Police pay. Jay Sheedy, a retired National Guard brigadier general, says it's critical that guard members know that their jobs are waiting for them when they come home.
In January, the Illinois National Guard honored three employers with the Pro Patria award, which recognizes the highest award for trying to "make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve." They are:
* Brinks Hofer Gilson and Lione
* Chicago Fire Department
* Northup Grumman Information Systems
The Above and Beyond awards were given to:
* Alfred Benesch & Co.
* American Buildings
* Belleville Memorial Hospital
* Berthold Electric
* Health Care Service Corp.
* Insure.com
* Joel Berman Architecture & Design
* LaGrange Police Department
* Merck & Co.
* Motorola
* Office Max
* Packer Engineering
* Palatine Police Department
* Village of Midlothian
* Winnebago County Sheriff's Office
* Illinois State Police
Nine state police employees are currently on a leave of absence because they've been called up. A total of 47 State Police workers are serving in the guard and reserves.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 03 31 10 by Newsroom |
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