{ "id": 4276355, "name": "THE DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES (STATE POLICE), Petitioner-Appellant, v. ILLINOIS LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, STATE PANEL, et al., Respondents-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Department of Central Management Services v. Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel", "decision_date": "2008-04-24", "docket_number": "No. 4\u201407\u20140344", "first_page": "208", "last_page": "233", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "382 Ill. App. 3d 208" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "824 N.E.2d 283", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "212 Ill. 2d 530", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "813 N.E.2d 1107", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1122" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "351 Ill. App. 3d 379", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1083774 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "396" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/351/0379-01" ] }, { "cite": "692 N.E.2d 1350", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1355" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "295 Ill. App. 3d 311", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 45702 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "319" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/295/0311-01" ] }, { "cite": "785 N.E.2d 81", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "85" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "337 Ill. App. 3d 181", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 894562 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "185" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/337/0181-01" ] }, { "cite": "554 N.E.2d 155", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "159" }, { "page": "163" }, { "page": "164" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "135 Ill. 2d 499", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3256350 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "506" }, { "page": "514" }, { "page": "518" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/135/0499-01" ] }, { "cite": "607 N.E.2d 182", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "186" }, { "page": "186" }, { "page": "186" }, { "page": "186" }, { "page": "186" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "153 Ill. 2d 508", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 4738696 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "515" }, { "page": "515" }, { "page": "515" }, { "page": "515" }, { "page": "515" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/153/0508-01" ] }, { "cite": "456 U.S. 273", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6185889 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/456/0273-01" ] }, { "cite": "855 N.E.2d 571", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "575" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "367 Ill. App. 3d 538", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 4264912 ], "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "543" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/367/0538-01" ] }, { "cite": "823 N.E.2d 636", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "645" }, { "page": "645" }, { "page": "645" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "355 Ill. App. 3d 1039", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3599867 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1051" }, { "page": "1051" }, { "page": "1051" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/355/1039-01" ] }, { "cite": "839 N.E.2d 479", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 6, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "485", "parenthetical": "AFSCME Council 31" }, { "page": "485" }, { "page": "485" }, { "page": "485" }, { "page": "485" }, { "page": "485" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "216 Ill. 2d 569", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3827812 ], "weight": 6, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "577", "parenthetical": "AFSCME Council 31" }, { "page": "577" }, { "page": "577" }, { "page": "577" }, { "page": "578" }, { "page": "577-78" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/216/0569-01" ] }, { "cite": "800 N.E.2d 875", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "882" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "344 Ill. App. 3d 1126", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3778158 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1136" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/344/1126-01" ] }, { "cite": "554 N.E.2d 155", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "164" }, { "page": "166" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "135 Ill. 2d 499", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3256350 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "517" }, { "page": "522" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/135/0499-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1734, "char_count": 63565, "ocr_confidence": 0.844, "pagerank": { "raw": 7.259244762335987e-08, "percentile": 0.4327561182138418 }, "sha256": "83340a1e8e67c1586896d20996261a2f5bf14185d35123dd4b8a8d75a4f60c8c", "simhash": "1:1b2919574c945c6c", "word_count": 9625 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:27:01.752924+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "THE DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES (STATE POLICE), Petitioner-Appellant, v. ILLINOIS LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, STATE PANEL, et al., Respondents-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "PRESIDING JUSTICE APPLETON\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nPursuant to section 9(a \u2014 5) of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (Act) (5 ILCS 315/9(a \u2014 5) (West 2006)), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 (union), filed a petition to represent telecommunications supervisors, employed by the State of Illinois, Department of Central Management Services, State Police (employer). The employer opposed the petition on the grounds that telecommunications supervisors were \u201csupervisors\u201d within the meaning of section 3(r) (5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006)), \u201cmanagerial employees\u201d within the meaning of section 3(j) (5 ILCS 315/3(j) (West 2006)), or both. The Board found that telecommunications supervisors were neither \u201csupervisors\u201d nor \u201cmanagerial employees\u201d and, therefore, ordered their inclusion in the RC-14 bargaining unit. American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Council 31, 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 38, at 98, No. S \u2014 RC\u201404\u2014108 (Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel, March 19, 2007) (hereinafter 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 38). The employer appeals, contending only that telecommunications supervisors are \u201csupervisors\u201d and, as such, are ineligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit. See 5 ILCS 315/3(s)(1) (West 2006).\nThe Board could reasonably find that the employer failed to prove two propositions: (1) the principal work of telecommunications supervisors is substantially different from that of lead call-taker, and (2) telecommunications supervisors perform a supervisory function. See 5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006). With those propositions unproved, telecommunications supervisors are not \u201csupervisors\u201d in the statutory sense. Therefore, we affirm the Board\u2019s decision.\nI. BACKGROUND\nA. The Communications Service Bureau\nThroughout the state, the Illinois State Police has 19 call centers, which receive emergency telephone calls from the public and provide dispatching services for troopers. The call centers are part of the Communications Service Bureau of the Division of Administration. At the helm of the bureau is the bureau chief, and beneath the bureau chief are two assistant bureau chiefs. The State of Illinois is divided into four regions, and each assistant bureau chief is responsible for two of the regions. Each region has a regional manager, who reports to the assistant bureau chief. The Northern Region has eight call centers. The Southern Region has 11. Each call center has a telecommunications supervisor, who reports to the regional manager. Beneath the telecommunications supervisor, in descending order of hierarchy, are the lead call-takers and the call-takers.\nB. The Duties of a Call-Taker\nAccording to a \u201cclass specification\u201d (or job description) written by CMS, the \u201c[distinguishing [fjeatures\u201d of a call-taker\u2019s work are as follows:\n\u201cUnder general supervision of a telecommunications supervisor, [a call-taker] answers and responds to incoming requests for service via telephone or in person; assigns [Illinois State Police] officers to respond to calls; transmits and receives law[-]enforcement messages and data by two-way radio and computer systems; monitors and/or provides base[-]station service for multiple police priority and business channels; processes confidential information; [and] originates, relays [,] and interprets information relating to the safety and well-being of law[-]enforcement officers and citizens.\u201d Board exhibit No. 5.\nCall-takers each \u201c[o]perate[ ] a personal[-]computer terminal,\u201d and when they receive information over the radio or telephone, they enter it into various databases in the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) \u2014 for example, membership in gangs and the residential address of sex offenders. They also \u201cprovide [ ] training for trainees[,] as directed.\u201d\nC. Duties of a Lead Call-Taker\nAccording to QMS\u2019s class specification, the work of a \u201ctelecommu-nicator lead call[-]taker\u201d has the following \u201c[distinguishing [features\u201d:\n\u201cUnder general supervision^] [a lead call-taker] acts as a lead worker overseeing the activities of telecommunicators, typically on a busy shift when the supervisor is absent; assists [the] supervisor in preparing technical reports and maintains [LEADS] records; provides input into employee performance evaluations; assists lower[-]level telecommunicators, [t] elecommunicator/[c] all [-] [t]akers[,] and local [l]aw[-][enforcement agencies in the resolution of two-way radio and computer[-]terminal operational problems; processes confidential material; also functions as a [t]ele-communicator [c]all[-][t]aker; answers and responds to incoming requests for service from the public via telephone or in person; assigns [Illinois State Police] officers to respond to calls; transmits and receives law[-]enforcement messages and data by two-way radio, teletype, and computer[-]terminal equipment; monitors and/or provides base[-] station services for multiple police priority and business channels; [and] originates, relays[,] and interprets information relating to the safely and well[-]being of law[-] enforcement officers and citizens.\u201d\nUnder the heading \u201cIllustrative Examples of Work,\u201d the class specification says that lead call-takers perform the following tasks, among others:\n\u201c3. Assists [the] supervisor in the preparation of reports, provides input into employee performance evaluations; when [the] supervisor is absent, authorizes over[ ]time assignments in accordance with contract protocols, carries out on-the-job training programs for new staff and may assume the lead position in such training; [and] recommends, monitors, and ensures compliance with operational policies and rules.\u201d Board exhibit No. 5.\nBonnie C. Lane, the assistant bureau chief for the Southern Region, testified as follows:\n\u201c[The position of lead call-taker] is a quasi-supervisory position[ ] in that they provide shift or floor oversight. Obviously, a [telecommunications [supervisor can\u2019t work 24 hours a day and isn\u2019t able to be there across all three shifts.\nSo the [l]ead [c]all[-][t]aker is there to *** monitor, again, operational compliance, the integrity of operations. They\u2019re responsible, over the course of the year, the evaluation period, to assist in gathering some *** front-line data, in terms of operational compliance, quality, [and] professionalism.\nThey\u2019re looked to[,] most times[,] as being a little better versed, maybe, in some of the technical issues. With the computer-aided dispatch, they might be the go-to person for questions on entry or data management.\nBut, basically, they are a way to assist the supervisors with compliance issues on shifts *** that aren\u2019t during the traditional work hours.\nSome centers have one [l]ead [c]all[-][t]aker, some have two. Due to staffing vacancies that can\u2019t be filled at this time, we do have some centers that have no [l]ead [c]all[-][t]akers presently on staff.\nBut they are, basically, there to just assist with gathering documentation and monitoring operations.\u201d Board exhibit No. 5.\nD. The Duties of a Telecommunications Supervisor\n1. The Class Specification\nAccording to the class specification, the \u201c[distinguishing [fleatures\u201d of the work of a telecommunications supervisor are as follows:\n\u201cUnder general direction, [the telecommunications supervisor] plans, directs, and evaluates the operations of a telecommunications center; supervises a staff of telecommunicators providing computer[-]assisted law[-]enforcement radio[-]dispatching and call[-]taking to state and local agencies; trains, schedules[,] and evaluates the performance of [t] elecommunicators in a law[-] enforcement district office through subordinate lead workers, overseeing a continuous multi-shift operation[ ]; maintains personnel and operational files[ ] [and] office inventory control; administers operations dispatching and telecommunications service contracts with various state and local agencies; [and] prepares operating reports.\u201d Board exhibit No. 5.\nHere are some \u201cillustrative examples\u201d of what a telecommunications supervisor does:\n\u201c1. Plans, supervises!,] and coordinates a State Police [district [t]elecommunications [c]enter, providing computer[-]assisted radio dispatching services for law!-]enforcement personnel; schedules approximately nine telecommunications personnel on multiple shifts!;] maintains personnel and operational files!;] [and] prepares associated records and reports!,] utilizing word processing, spreadsheet!,] and database software applications.\n2. Administers procedural policies; monitors compliance with standard operating procedures; provides corrective training where necessary to maintain operational standards and station efficiency; operates [a] console [10] hours per month to maintain operational efficiency; takes supervisory and managerial training; [and] serves as a member of the hiring selection interview team.\n3. Administers the [t]elecommunicator [t]raining [p]rogram at the district level, providing on-the-job training of new employees; reviews employee performance on a continuing basis and prepares and signs periodic employee performance evaluations; [and] promotes or terminates trainees, as appropriate.\n* * *\n10. Administers the collective[-]bargaining contract!,] conducts labor/management meetings!,] prepares local formal labor/ management agreements!,] and processes and adjusts first[-]level grievances.\n***\n12. Schedules operational personnel according to the needs of the Illinois State Police and other state agencies with whom formal dispatch agreements exist; monitors operations to ensure compliance with existent guidelines, contracts!,] and agreements.\u201d Board exhibit No. 5.\n2. The Duties and Authority of a Telecommunications Supervisor; as Described in the Testimony\na. Monitoring the Operation of the Call Center\nIn the administrative hearing, the employer called two assistant bureau chiefs, Kay Rubin, who was responsible for Regions I and II in the northern part of the state, and Bonnie C. Lane, who was responsible for Regions III and IV in the southern part of the state, and two telecommunications supervisors, Chrystal J. Mitchell from District 19 in Carmi and Sherri J. Mahon from District 12 in Effing-ham. The union called two telecommunications supervisors, Tracy A. Vail from District 14 in Macomb and Karen M. Stec from the Chicago district.\nLane testified that a telecommunications supervisor was \u201cthe managerial presence, the supervisory presence [,] for the operations of [the call] center [24 hours a day and 7 days a week].\u201d Before becoming an assistant bureau chief, Lane was a regional manager. During her 2x/2-year stint as a regional manager, she visited each call center in her region \u201cmaybe four times a year\u201d but communicated with the telecommunications supervisors every week. She testified that the \u201cgeneral practice\u201d was to put the lead call-taker in \u201ca shift, either in part or whole, opposite[ ] [to the shift of the telecommunications supervisor], so that would mean, primarily, evenings or midnight shift.\u201d\nMitchell and Mahon both testified they had infrequent contact with their regional manager. The administrative hearing occurred in January 2006, and, since April 2005, the regional manager had visited Mitchell\u2019s call center only once. Mitchell testified she had \u201cspoken to [the regional manager] twice on the telephone\u201d (whether Mitchell meant since April 2005 or during the seven years Mitchell had been a telecommunications supervisor is unclear). Mahon testified that during the five years she had been a telecommunications supervisor, her regional manager had visited her call center once. \u201cI don\u2019t know that I have ever talked to her on the phone, maybe once or twice; and, I mean, I e-mail her every once in a while [,] but mostly to ask for time off for myself. But other than that, [I have no contact with the regional manager] at all.\u201d\nTelecommunications supervisors typically carry a pager or cellular telephone so that the call center can reach them at any time. During their shifts, they sit by the consoles or listen to a radio scanner in their office, making sure the call-takers are following procedures and handling calls with courtesy and competence.\nb. Scheduling\nThe telecommunications supervisor prepares a \u201cbase schedule,\u201d in which he or she determines what the shifts will be and how many employees will be needed in each shift. The subordinate employees then bid on shifts, which are awarded on the basis of seniority. Different telecommunications supervisors have different scheduling practices. Mitchell testified: \u201cI normally like to make two schedules that are workable for my district. I let [the employees] vote on which one they approve, and then they bid on those slots, and it\u2019s submitted to the [u]nion.\u201d As for Stec, she testified she had \u201cnever created a schedule. We have certain time slots that need to be filled, and it\u2019s just a given. *** [W]here the scheduling comes into effect is during vacation times[;] you have to make sure you have the coverage. Most of the timet,] it results in overtime.\u201d\nBy \u201ccoverage,\u201d Stec meant the minimum staffing level. For her call center in the Chicago district, it was 5 people on the day shift, 4V2 people on the evening shift (\u201cV2\u201d meaning the first half of the shift had an additional person), and 4 people on the midnight shift. Stec testified that the telecommunications supervisors in the Chicago district had recommended this minimum staffing level and the assistant bureau chief had approved the recommendation. (Later, because of staff shortages, the telecommunications supervisors of the Chicago district requested a lower minimum staffing level, but headquarters balked.)\nIf an employee called in sick, it usually was necessary to call in someone to perform overtime. Call centers had a certain percentage of \u201cindeterminates\u201d on their staff \u2014 call-takers who could be assigned to any shift \u2014 but they had to be given 24 hours\u2019 notice. \u201cSpecial details\u201d with larger-than-usual deployments of troopers also necessitated overtime. Some telecommunications supervisors preferred authorizing overtime themselves; other telecommunications supervisors left this task to lead call-takers. Mitchell testified she \u201cmight go back out to work and actually do the overtime callout [herself]. If not, [she would] assign the lead worker or usually the most senior [t]elecommunicator to make the call.\u201d Mahon testified that only if she could not be reached would the lead call-taker call in someone to perform overtime. Vail testified that \u201cif the overtime needed to be filled and [Vail was] not [at the call center], *** they [did not] have to call [her] before they scheduled the overtime\u201d; \u201cthat\u2019s what lead workers [were] for.\u201d Stec testified that any call-taker could call someone in for overtime without obtaining her prior approval. She did not \u201cgrant\u201d overtime; \u201c[i]f [they fell] below the staffing levels, then overtime [was] necessary.\u201d Rubin testified that the call centers in the Chicago district were so short-staffed that to keep from \u201cgetting called 24 hours a day, nonstop, *** to fill overtime,\u201d the two telecommunications supervisors in that district had told the call-takers that \u201cif we go below, you know, what they have set as basically what they need to operate, then they have the authority to call people out for overtime or order them, if need be, if we can\u2019t reach anybody at home.\u201d\nVacation time and overtime were allocated according to seniority. Stec testified: \u201cEverybody submits three vacation requests[,] and [the requests are] granted one at a time by seniority. The first person in seniority ultimately gets their first choice, then down through the line ***.\u201d Vail testified that a similar methodology applied to overtime: \u201cYou would offer it out to everyone in the order of the most senior[ ] with the least overtime first. If everybody refuses it, you go to the assignment list, and it\u2019s the least senior[ ] with the least amount of hours[ ] will get the assignment.\u201d\nc. The Assignment of Work\nMitchell testified: \u201cWe enter a lot of warrants, orders of protection, registered sex[-]offender add-ons, [and] the annual registered sex[-] offender address checks. The troopers go knock on their door[ ] [and] check to see where they live. We have to do an add-on on each one of those files. We have about 150 of them. And I assign [c]all[-] Makers to handle these updates.\u201d She might split the assignments evenly, or she might give the assignments to whoever was the quickest and most accurate at entering data into the computer. Mahon testified she might give such assignments to the call-taker on the least-busy console.\nStec explained that \u201c[a]n add-on [was] a note that[ ] [was] added onto an existing LEADS record\u201d \u2014 for example, orders of protection or membership in a gang. According to her, she never assigned add-ons. The information for the add-on typically arrived at the call center via a radio transmission, and \u201c[t]he telecommunicator handling the radio traffic\u201d was always the one who entered the add-on into the computer.\nd. Proof Status\nUnder section 15(A) of article XXXIII of the collective-bargaining agreement, a telecommunications supervisor may place an employee on proof status \u201cif reasonable grounds exist to suspect abuse.\u201d \u201cProof status\u201d means that the employee must provide written medical certification of the need for sick time. Section 15(B) provides: \u201cAt the time an employee is placed on proof status, the Employer will submit to the employee, in writing, the reasons for placing the employee on proof status.\u201d Mitchell testified she had placed two employees on proof status without prior approval from her superiors.\ne. Training\nA telecommunications supervisor is responsible for training everyone in the call center. Typically, the telecommunications supervisor assigns some or all of the training of new employees to the lead call-taker or an experienced call-taker. The Communications Service Bureau has a 10-month training curriculum consisting of 42 phases. Trainees are tested after each phase and must score 85% or higher. They also must pass a final examination and be certified within a year. The telecommunications supervisor monitors the progress of training and, with input from the lead call-taker or whoever is assisting with training, completes a weekly training evaluation on each new probationary employee.\nMitchell testified: \u201cI keep very thorough documentation, and I have had to[,] in the past[,] suggest that they not be certified, and we have [had] to let them go.\u201d Mahon testified that after conferring with the lead call-taker, she, too, had recommended the firing of a trainee and the acting regional manager had approved Mahon\u2019s recommendation.\nf. Performance Evaluations\nAt least once a year, telecommunications supervisors complete a performance evaluation of each of their subordinates. Vail admitted that performance evaluations could affect promotions and even continued employment. \u201cBut you also,\u201d she testified, \u201chave to follow the guidelines of the contract ***. *** [H]ypothetically, you\u2019ve got two people that are applying for the lead worker position[,] and, usually, you have to go to the most senior of those people.\u201d She testified to her own experience of the power that seniority wielded in promotions: \u201cwhen I was promoted to supervisor, the lead worker position came open, and I had a transfer that came in, and I had three people [who] wanted the position; but because *** I had to follow the guidelines in the contract, because of her seniority, she was automatically made the lead worker.\u201d Mitchell likewise testified, \u201c[s]eniority plays a huge part in [promotions]. The most senior person has a lot of *** weight,\u201d and to promote a less-senior person, the employer has to prove, through performance evaluations, that the less-senior person is \u201cconsiderably more qualified for the position.\u201d\nAccording to Mitchell, her superiors never told her whether to give an employee a good or bad performance evaluation. While a performance evaluation was \u201cstill in the planning process,\u201d the regional manager sometimes \u201cg[a]ve [her] better word choices\u201d but never asked her to \u201cchange any of the ratings or anything.\u201d The regional manager might have told her, \u201c \u2018Well, your rating and your comments don\u2019t match, so you need to make them match,\u2019 \u201d but that was \u201call [she had] ever been told.\u201d\ng. Discipline\nMitchell testified that she once recommended that one of her subordinates receive a written reprimand for late arrival. The assistant bureau chief followed her recommendation.\nMahon \u201cassume[d]\u201d that to impose discipline, she \u201cwould need to do an investigation and forward a recommendation *** for some type of discipline.\u201d As of yet, she had never had occasion to request discipline for any of her subordinates.\nThe union\u2019s attorney asked Vail:\n\u201cQ. Have you ever had to discipline somebody?\nA. Yes.\nQ. Okay. And can you take me through a little bit of that process?\u201d\nVail answered \u201c[i]t was an incident involving one of the telecommuni-cators who had gotten in some trouble after hours.\u201d Vail \u201chad to do an investigation on it[ ] and then send it up the chain of command.\u201d She recommended a letter of reprimand, but headquarters declined to follow her recommendation and instead suspended the employee for a day. She had no power to give a written reprimand without her superiors\u2019 approval, and, of course, she could not overrule the discipline they imposed.\nStec testified she lacked authority to impose any discipline. Like Vail, she once recommended a letter of reprimand, but higher-ranking officials ended up giving the employee a more severe form of discipline.\nE. The ALJ\u2019s Recommended Decision and the Board\u2019s Decision\nThe ALJ found that telecommunications supervisors were not \u201cmanagerial employees\u201d within the meaning of section 3(j) of the Act (5 ILCS 315/3(j) (West 2006)). She also found that telecommunications supervisors did not exercise supervisory authority to hire, promote, reward, and adjust grievances (see 5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006)). Nevertheless, she found that telecommunications supervisors were \u201csupervisors\u201d for the following reasons: (1) the principal work of a telecommunications supervisor was substantially different from that of a call-taker or lead call-taker; (2) by overseeing the call center, establishing work schedules, assigning work, requiring overtime, granting leave requests, placing employees on proof status, training employees, and evaluating their work performance, telecommunications supervisors exercised supervisory authority to direct employees; (3) telecommunications supervisors exercised supervisory authority to discipline employees; (4) telecommunications supervisors exercised independent judgment and discretion when they directed and disciplined employees; and (5) telecommunications supervisors devoted a preponderance of their time to supervisory activities. See 5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006). The union filed exceptions to these findings. The employer filed no exceptions.\nThe Board issued a decision disagreeing with the ALJ\u2019s conclusion that telecommunications supervisors were \u201csupervisors\u201d within the meaning of section 3(r). The Board said:\n\u201cHerein, the ALJ\u2019s finding that the petitioned-for employees are excluded as supervisors turns on her finding that they have day-today oversight accompanied by the authority to issue discipline. Our review of the hearing transcript and the rest of the record leads us to find otherwise. There was no evidence that the written reprimands authored by the employees at issue, and placed in their subordinates\u2019 personnel files, affected their employment^] nor [was there any] evidence that such reprimands were subsequently used to enhance later discipline. In short, on this record, the petitioned-for employees lack significant discretionary authority to affect their subordinates\u2019 employment. Although the petitioned-for employees oversee their subordinates\u2019 work activities[ ] and provide them with instruction and assistance, they are unable to affect the terms and conditions of their employment, and oversight authority alone is insufficient to constitute supervisory direction under the Act. [Citations.]\nIn sum, we find that the employees at issue are not supervisors within the meaning of the Act, as their day-to-day oversight of their subordinates is accompanied[,] at most, only by the authority to issue very low[-]level discipline[ ] and[,] thus, it is inadequate to qualify as supervisory direction within the meaning of the Act. Consequently, the petitioned-for employees fail to meet the preponderance requirement ] [citations] and[,] therefore, are not supervisory within the meaning of [s]ection 3(r) of the Act and[,] accordingly, not excluded from the Act\u2019s coverage under [s]ection 3(s).\u201d 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 38, at 98.\nThe Board ordered its executive director to certify the union as the exclusive representative of telecommunications supervisors, who were to be included in bargaining unit RC-14.\nThis appeal followed.\nII. ANALYSIS\nA. Standards of Review\nThe Administrative Review Law (735 ILCS 5/3 \u2014 101 to 3 \u2014 113 (West 2006)) governs our review of the Board\u2019s decision. 5 ILCS 315/ 11(e) (West 2006). According to section 3 \u2014 110 of the Administrative Review Law, our \u201chearing and determination\u201d of this action \u201cshall extend to all questions of law and fact presented by the entire record before [us].\u201d 735 ILCS 5/3 \u2014 110 (West 2006).\nOur standard of review depends on whether the question is one of fact, one of law, or a mixed question of fact and law. American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Council 31 v. Illinois State Labor Relations Board, 216 Ill. 2d 569, 577, 839 N.E.2d 479, 485 (2005) (AFSCME Council 31). If the question is purely one of fact, we will deem the Board\u2019s decision to be \u201cprima facie true and correct.\u201d 735 ILCS 5/3 \u2014 110 (West 2006). Case law has interpreted the phrase \u201cprima facie true and correct\u201d as meaning we will uphold the agency\u2019s factual findings and conclusions to the extent they are not \u201cagainst the manifest weight of the evidence\u201d (AFSCME Council 31, 216 Ill. 2d at 577, 839 N.E.2d at 485), that is, to the extent that the opposite factual findings and conclusions are not \u201cclearly evident\u201d from the evidence in the record (Roti v. LTD Commodities, 355 Ill. App. 3d 1039, 1051, 823 N.E.2d 636, 645 (2005)). If the question is purely one of law, our standard of review is de novo. McKee v. Board of Trustees of the Champaign Police Pension Fund, 367 Ill. App. 3d 538, 543, 855 N.E.2d 571, 575 (2006). \u201cMixed questions of fact and law are \u2018questions in which the historical facts are admitted or established, the rule of law is undisputed, and the issue is whether the facts satisfy the statutory standard, or[,] to put it another way, whether the rule of law[,] as applied to the established facts[,] is or is not violated.\u2019 \u201d AFSCME Council 31, 216 Ill. 2d at 577, 839 N.E.2d at 485, quoting Pullman-Standard v. Swint, 456 U.S. 273, 289 n.19, 72 L. Ed. 2d 66, 80 n.19, 102 S. Ct. 1781, 1790 n.19 (1982). We will uphold the Board\u2019s determination of a mixed question of law and fact unless the determination is \u201cclearly erroneous\u201d (AFSCME Council 31, 216 Ill. 2d at 577, 839 N.E.2d at 485), or only if we are \u201cleft with the firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been committed\u201d (AFSCME Council 31, 216 Ill. 2d at 578, 839 N.E.2d at 485).\nB. The Statutory Definition of \u201cSupervisor\u201d\nA bargaining unit may not include both employees and supervisors. 5 ILCS 315/3(s)(1) (West 2006). \u201cThe purpose of such an exclusion is to ensure that \u2018pro-union bias will not impair the supervisor\u2019s ability to apply the employer\u2019s policies to subordinates according to the employer\u2019s best interests.\u2019 \u201d Chief Judge of the Circuit Court v. American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Council 31, 153 Ill. 2d 508, 515, 607 N.E.2d 182, 186 (1992), quoting City of Freeport v. Illinois State Labor Relations Board, 135 Ill. 2d 499, 506, 554 N.E.2d 155, 159 (1990). The employer in this case maintains that telecommunications supervisors are \u201csupervisors\u201d and that by ordering their inclusion in the bargaining unit, the Board violated section 3(s)(1) of the Act (5 ILCS 315/3(s)(1) (West 2006)).\nSection 3(r) defines \u201csupervisor\u201d as follows:\n\u201c \u2018Supervisor\u2019 is an employee whose principal work is substantially different from that of his or her subordinates and who has authority, in the interest of the employer, to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, direct, reward, or discipline employees!!;] to adjust their grievances!!;] or to effectively recommend any of those actions, if the exercise of that authority is not of a merely routine or clerical nature[ ] but requires the consistent use of independent judgment. Except with respect to police employment, the term \u2018supervisor\u2019 includes only those individuals who devote a preponderance of their employment time to exercising that authority, [s]tate supervisors notwithstanding.\u201d 5 ILCS 315/ 3(r) (West 2006).\nAs the party seeking to exclude telecommunications supervisors from the bargaining unit, the employer had the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they were \u201csupervisors.\u201d See Chief Judge of the Circuit Court, 19 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 123, at 487-88, No. S \u2014 RC\u201402\u2014083 (Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel, June 27, 2003) (hereinafter 19 Pub. Employee Ref. (Ill.) par. 123). To carry that burden of proof, the employer had to prove each of the following four propositions derived from section 3(r). First, the principal work of telecommunications supervisors was substantially different from the principal work of their subordinates. Second, telecommunications supervisors had authority to perform one or more of the 11 supervisory functions listed in section 3(r). Third, telecommunications supervisors consistently used independent judgment in performing one or more of the supervisory functions. Fourth, telecommunications supervisors devoted a preponderance of their time to performing one or more of the supervisory functions. See Chief Judge, 153 Ill. 2d at 515, 607 N.E.2d at 186. We will consider those four propositions in turn.\n1. Is the Principal Work of a Telecommunications Supervisor Substantially Different From That of His or Her Subordinates ?\na. Is This Question Even in Dispute?\nThe ALJ found that \u201cthe principal work of [t] elecommunications [supervisors was obviously and visibly different from that of their subordinates^] notwithstanding the fact that supervisors [might] relieve [c]all[-][t]akers and [l]ead [c]all[-][t]akers when they [took] breaks and [might] also perform [l]ead [c]all[-][t]aker duties when the latter [were] absent.\u201d The employer reasons that because the Board, in its decision, did not explicitly disagree with that finding by the ALJ, the finding \u201cis not in dispute and, therefore, the [t] elecommunications [supervisors meet the first prong of the supervisory analysis.\u201d\nThe employer\u2019s reasoning is unsound in this respect. Just because the Board, in its decision, did not dispute the ALJ\u2019s finding that the principal work of telecommunications supervisors was obviously and visibly different from that of call-takers and lead call-takers, it does not logically follow that a different party, the union, agrees with that finding. In fact, in its exceptions to the ALJ\u2019s recommended decision and order, the union took issue with that finding \u2014 and, in its brief, the union continues to do so.\nMoreover, we can affirm the Board\u2019s decision for any reason the record discloses, regardless of whether the Board relied on that reason. See Gardziella v. City of Chicago, 337 Ill. App. 3d 181, 185, 785 N.E.2d 81, 85 (2003); Commonwealth Edison Co. v. Illinois Commerce Comm\u2019n, 295 Ill. App. 3d 311, 319, 692 N.E.2d 1350, 1355 (1998). The ultimate correctness of the Board\u2019s decision does not depend on the exhaustiveness of the Board\u2019s rationale therein.\nb. Is the Principal Work of a Telecommunications Supervisor \u201cObviously and Visibly Different\u201d From That of His or Her Subordinates?\nIn its published decisions, the Board has developed a methodology for the principal-work requirement. The Board first asks whether the principal work of the alleged supervisors is \u201cobviously and visibly different\u201d from the principal work of their subordinates. Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Burr Ridge Command Chapter No. 13, 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 102, at 406, No. S \u2014 RC\u201405\u2014109 (Illinois Labor Relations Board, State Panel, June 22, 2007) (hereinafter 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 102). If the answer is yes, the principal-work requirement is fulfilled. 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 102, at 406. If the answer is no, the Board examines what the alleged supervisors do, to determine whether the \u201c \u2018 \u201cnature and essence\u201d \u2019 \u201d of their principal work is different from the \u201c \u2018 \u201cnature and essence\u201d \u2019 \u201d of their subordinates\u2019 principal work. 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 102, at 406, quoting City of Freeport, 135 Ill. 2d at 514, 554 N.E.2d at 163, quoting City of Burbank, 1 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 2008, at VIII \u2014 49, No. S \u2014 RC\u201445 (Illinois State Labor Relations Board, June 6, 1985). \u201cThis examination involves a consideration of the existence of the alleged supervisor\u2019s supervisory authority and ability to exercise it any time and to \u201c*** identify the point at which an employee\u2019s supervisory obligation conflicts with his participation in union activity with the employees he supervises.\u2019 \u201d 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 102, at 406, quoting City of Freeport, 135 Ill. 2d at 518, 554 N.E.2d at 164.\nIn the argument of its brief, under the heading \u201cTelecommunications Supervisors Perform Principal Work Substantially Different [F]rom [T]hat of Their Subordinates,\u201d the employer argues that \u201cthe principal work of [t] elecommunications [supervisors is obviously and visibly different from that of their subordinates.\u201d In support of that argument, the employer compares the principal work of a telecommunications supervisor to that of a call-taker. \u201c[T]he principal work of the [telecommunications [supervisors,\u201d the employer says, \u201cis to oversee the work of [c]all[-][t]akers and [l]ead [c]all[-]Makers.\u201d The principal work of call-takers, by contrast, is \u201cto operate the dispatch consoles!,] to answer emergency telephone calls from the public! ] and radio calls for service from [s]tate troopers! ] and other agencies!,] to dispatch troopers!,] to run criminal histories!,] to collect and enter other data!,] and to resolve problems with computer equipment.\u201d\nThe employer thereby shows that the principal work of a telecommunications supervisor is obviously and visibly different from that of a call-taker \u2014 but call-takers are not the only subordinates. Lead call-takers also are subordinate to telecommunications supervisors, and they have a job description separate from that of call-takers. Also, they are paid more. Vail testified she had to be careful about assigning lead call-taker duties to call-takers because call-takers might begin demanding lead call-taker pay. It appears that, in their duties, lead call-takers occupy a gray zone between call-takers and telecommunications supervisors. In the absence of the telecommunications supervisor, they are the supervisor of the shift. According to Mahon, lead call-takers operate the radios but also, when necessary, call in employees to work overtime. As the union observes in its brief, lead call-takers also \u201cmonitor phone calls for quality and assist in evaluating other [c]all[-][t]akers, perform quality checks[,] and assist with reports\u201d\u2014 things a telecommunications supervisor does. Lane testified:\n\u201cThe [l]ead [c]all[-][t]aker position is *** a quasi-supervisory position ] in that [lead call-takers] provide shift or floor oversight. Obviously, a [telecommunications [supervisor can\u2019t work 24 hours a day and isn\u2019t able to be there across all three shifts. So the [l]ead [c]all[-][t]aker is there to *** monitor *** operational compliance[ ] [and] the integrity of the operations ***.\u201d\nThus, a lead call-taker answers the radio like a call-taker but also oversees the shift, trains and evaluates employees, assigns overtime, and prepares reports like a telecommunications supervisor. Which are the principal, or most important, duties of a lead call-taker? The answer is unclear. The employer does not identify any evidence in the record that would require a rational trier of fact to find that the duties a lead call-taker shares with a call-taker are more important than the supervisory duties a lead call-taker shares with the telecommunications supervisor. The Board could reasonably find that the principal work of a telecommunications supervisor is not obviously and visibly different from the principal work of a lead call-taker, who is, as Lane testified, a quasi-supervisor.\nWith respect to the principal-work requirement, the employer does not proceed to the second phase of the analysis: whether, if telecommunications supervisors were allowed to join the bargaining unit, the nature and essence of their principal work would cause them to be torn between their allegiance to the employer and their allegiance to the union (see 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 102, at 406). Thus, we need not take up that question. The principal-work requirement is unfulfilled, and for that reason alone, an affirmance of the Board\u2019s decision is justified. We will consider, however, the remaining three requirements in section 3(r) (5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006)).\n2. Do Telecommunications Supervisors Have Authority To Perform Supervisory Functions ?\nThe second proposition the employer must prove, to obtain the exclusion of telecommunications supervisors from the bargaining unit, is that telecommunications supervisors have authority to perform one or more of the 11 supervisory functions. See Chief Judge, 153 Ill. 2d at 515, 607 N.E.2d at 186. Those functions are \u201cto hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, direct, reward, or discipline employees!;] to adjust their grievances!;] or to effectively recommend any of those actions.\u201d 5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006). The employer contends that telecommunications supervisors perform two supervisory functions: directing employees and disciplining them.\na. Directing Employees\nThe employer maintains that telecommunications supervisors direct their subordinates in seven ways: (1) monitoring and correcting their performance, (2) establishing work schedules, (3) assigning work, (4) determining the need for overtime, (5) granting leave and imposing proof status, (6) training employees, and (7) evaluating their performance. It is not enough, however, merely to point out these functions of direction; \u201cthe alleged supervisor must have both the authority to make operational decisions and exercise significant discretionary authority that impacts his subordinates\u2019 employment status in areas most likely to fall within their terms and conditions of employment\u201d (emphases added) (State of Illinois, Department of Central Management Services, 21 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 46, at 216, No. S \u2014 RC\u201404\u2014038 (Illinois Labor Board, State Panel, March 25, 2005)). As an ALJ explained in a recommended decision with which the Board agreed:\n\u201cThe authority to direct involves functions relating to overseeing an employer\u2019s operations or which indicate responsibility for the performance of a subordinate\u2019s work. [Citations.] These functions include reviewing and monitoring work activities, instructions on how work is to be performed, scheduling work hours, assigning work, and approving requests for leave or overtime!,] and completing performance evaluations. [Citations.] The Board has also previously held that these and any other function of direction are not supervisory direction absent evidence that the alleged supervisor possesses significant discretion to affect or impact the! ] subordinates!\u2019] employment in areas likely to fall within the scope of union representation, such as wages, discipline, transfer, promotion, hiring,] or other working conditions.\u201d Service Employees International Union, Local 73-HC, 19 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 58, at 265, No. L \u2014 RC\u201402\u2014014 (Illinois Labor Board, Local Panel, April 15, 2003).\nSee also City of Sparta, 9 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 2029, at X \u2014 150, No. S \u2014 RC\u201492\u2014100 (Illinois State Labor Relations Board, June 21, 1993). The reasoning is that \u201cabsent such discretionary authority, an individual\u2019s responsibility to direct subordinates in the performance of their job duties does not conflict with his membership in a bargaining unit.\u201d City of Bloomington, 13 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 2041, at X \u2014 236, No. S \u2014 UC\u201497\u201430 (Illinois State Labor Relations Board, August 25, 1997). In the present case, the Board found that \u201c[a]lthough [telecommunications supervisors] overs [aw] their subordinates\u2019 work activities[ ] and provide[d] them with instruction and assistance, they [were] unable to affect the terms and conditions of their [subordinates\u2019] employment, and oversight authority alone [was] insufficient to constitute supervisory direction under the Act.\u201d 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 38, at 98.\nThe employer does not claim that telecommunications supervisors have any influence over transfers. Nor does the employer claim that telecommunications supervisors are \u201csupervisors,\u201d in the statutory sense, by virtue of their participation in hiring committees. It appears that the only means by which telecommunications supervisors arguably have any influence over wages, discipline, and promotion are performance evaluations and referrals for discipline \u2014 both of which serve, essentially, as recommendations or suggested grounds for action by someone higher in the chain of command. Under section 3(r), a \u201csupervisor\u201d directs or disciplines employees (among other possible supervisory functions) or \u201ceffectively recommend[s] any of those actions.\u201d 5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006). The critical word is \u201ceffectively.\u201d \u201cFor a recommendation such as this to be [\u2018]effective[\u2019] within the meaning of the Act [(5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006))], it must be adopted as a matter of course, without independent review.\u201d International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 150, 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 130, at 561, No. S \u2014 RC\u201406\u2014175 (Illinois Labor Board, State Panel, September 4, 2007).\nThe employer argues that because no one higher in the chain of command ever requested a telecommunications supervisor to change the ratings in a performance evaluation and because Vail and Stec admitted that performance evaluations could affect promotions and influence the decision of whether to fire an employee, telecommunications supervisors have significant discretion to affect the terms and conditions of employment and, therefore, they \u201cdirect\u201d employees. As authority for this argument, the employer cites Village of Hinsdale, 22 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 176, at 669-70, No. S \u2014 RC\u201406\u2014037 (Illinois Labor Board, State Panel, December 13, 2006) (hereinafter 22 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 176).\nIn Village of Hinsdale, the ALJ found that police sergeants employed by the village were \u201csupervisors\u201d because they had authority to discipline their subordinates by putting counseling statements in their personnel file, which could enhance future discipline. The Board agreed with that finding. The ALJ found, however, that the sergeants\u2019 authority to evaluate their subordinates\u2019 performance was not indicative of supervisory authority. The employer filed an exception to that finding, and the Board agreed with the employer. The sergeants were required to evaluate patrol officers in 25 categories, rating their performance as \u201c \u2018below standard,\u2019 \u201d \u201c \u2018standard,\u2019 \u201d or \u201c \u2018above standard\u2019 \u201d in each category. Three of the rating categories\u2014 warning citations, traffic citations, and parking citations \u2014 were based solely on the number of citations the patrol officer had issued during the year, so the sergeant\u2019s rating in those categories was automatic and did not require the use of independent judgment. But the remaining categories \u2014 e.g., problem-solving, performance under pressure, and interpersonal skills \u2014 were more subjective and called for independent judgment by the sergeant. The Board said:\n\u201cIt is also apparent that the component ratings, which control the overall rating, affect the patrol officers\u2019 terms and conditions of employment. A patrol officer must achieve an overall \u2018standard\u2019 to advance to the next pay grade. While the record indicates that most officers do so on an annual basis, the record does demonstrate that[,] in one instance[,] a patrol officer failed to advance for three straight years, based on a sergeant\u2019s negative overall rating.\nWhile the evaluations are reviewed by higher[-]level officials, the record reflects that the sergeants\u2019 ratings of their subordinates\u2014 both the 25 components and the overall ratings \u2014 have never been changed. Thus, these are effective recommendations within the meaning of [sjection 3(r) of the Act. [Citation.] As these evaluations directly affect the patrol officers\u2019 terms and conditions of employment, that is, their wages, the sergeants exercise the supervisory authority to direct in evaluating the patrol officers.\u201d 22 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 176, at 670.\nIn a footnote in Village of Hinsdale, the Board said:\n\u201cAs noted by the [ALJ], the evaluations also contain narrative comments. ***\n*\nAs found by the [ALJ], the record shows that the evaluations are reviewed and higher-level officials sometimes add to or change the narrative comments. It is fairly typical, especially in a paramilitary organization, that the review would include some input by the higher-level officials, and we do not believe that it demonstrates that the sergeants lack independent judgment in preparing their comments in the first instance. In any event, however, it is the ratings, not the comments, which determine whether a patrol officer receives a pay increase, and the evidence is clear that the higher-level officials have never changed those ratings. Thus, the sergeants make effective recommendations which directly impact their subordinates\u2019 wages.\u201d 22 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 176, at 670 n.1.\nThe present case is distinguishable from Village of Hinsdale for five reasons. First, it is unclear, from the record before us, that telecommunications supervisors use independent judgment in evaluating their subordinates because we do not know the categories in the performance evaluations and, therefore, we are unable to say that the categories are more subjective than quantitative. Second, it is unclear how often call-takers and lead call-takers receive an opportunity for promotion (in contrast to the Hinsdale patrol officers, most of whom advanced to the next pay grade each year). Third, in the present case, promotions appear to depend more on seniority than performance evaluations. It is theoretically possible that a junior employee could be promoted over a senior employee if performance evaluations showed the junior employee to be \u201cconsiderably more qualified for the position,\u201d but there appears to be no evidence in the record that performance evaluations have, in practice, ever trumped seniority or affected anyone\u2019s promotion. Fourth, telecommunications supervisors do not exercise independent judgment, in the first instance, when writing the comments in performance evaluations. Sometimes, while a performance evaluation is \u201cstill in the planning process,\u201d the regional manager will require a telecommunications supervisor to revise the performance evaluation so that a rating and the corresponding comment are in congruence. Such a revision necessarily would entail a substantive change in either the comment or the rating. This is different from Village of Hinsdale, in which the higher-level officials made additions or changes in the comments themselves. Fifth, it is unclear that the comments in a call-taker\u2019s or lead call-taker\u2019s performance evaluation are less important than the ratings. In sum, the Board could reasonably find that telecommunications supervisors\u2019 authority to evaluate their subordinates does not amount to significant discretionary authority to affect their subordinates\u2019 terms and conditions of employment and, thus, their responsibility for the subordinates\u2019 competent performance is not supervisory authority to \u201cdirect\u201d employees within the meaning of section 3(r) (5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006)). See 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 102, at 400 (\u201con occasion, the chief has suggested modifications to evaluations completed by the sergeants\u201d).\nWe say this is a reasonable finding by the Board, not an ineluctable finding. There is some evidence in the record to support the opposite finding, and we do not mean to ignore that evidence. For example, the class specification says that a telecommunications supervisor \u201cpromotes or terminates trainees, as appropriate.\u201d The Board could reasonably find, however, that despite this unqualified language in the job description, telecommunications supervisors, in practice, do not have significant discretionary authority to affect the employment of trainees. Mitchell testified that she \u201csuggested\u201d to her superiors that an underperforming trainee not be certified. Mahon testified that when she recommended the firing of a trainee, she had to submit proof in support of her recommendation. Instead of following her recommendation, with no questions asked, Mahon\u2019s superiors required her to make a case with the weekly training evaluations. It appears that these weekly training evaluations are designed to eliminate subjectivity or discretion. \u201cA decision is not against the manifest weight of the evidence and must be affirmed if any evidence fairly supports the determination of the administrative agency.\u201d Roti, 355 Ill. App. 3d at 1051, 823 N.E.2d at 645. We do not reweigh the evidence or make an independent determination of the facts; if the record allows a reasonable difference of opinion, our duty is to affirm. Roti, 355 Ill. App. 3d at 1051, 823 N.E.2d at 645. Insomuch as the question is whether the facts fit the statute \u2014 whether a telecommunications supervisor \u201cdirect[s]\u201d employees, as the Board and case law have interpreted that statutory term \u2014 we are not left with a firm and definite conviction that a negative answer is a mistake. See AFSCME Council 31, 216 Ill. 2d at 577-78, 839 N.E.2d at 485.\nLikewise, the creation of schedules and the assignment of work are inconsequential oversight functions unless the alleged supervisor has authority to affect the employment of his or her subordinates. Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Sergeants Chapter No. 435, 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 72, at 246, No. S \u2014 RC\u201406\u2014005 (Illinois Labor Board, State Panel, April 27, 2007) (hereinafter 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 72). As we have explained, telecommunications supervisors lack such authority, or so the Board could reasonably have found. That a lead call-taker or even a call-taker, who are members of the bargaining unit, can call in employees to perform overtime tends to confirm that scheduling is not a quintessentially \u201csupervisory\u201d act. Moreover, a telecommunications supervisor\u2019s discretion in scheduling is narrowly cabined by shift-bidding and minimum manpower requirements. See 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 72, at 246 (\u201c[sjergeants\u2019 role in approving vacations or other time off for the employees in the subordinate ranks is dictated by the minimum manpower requirements, department rules, or the officers\u2019 collective!-] bargaining agreement\u201d).\nb. Disciplining Employees\nIn the argument of its brief, the employer says, without citation to the record, that telecommunications supervisors \u201chave discretion as to whether they will issue a written reprimand.\u201d See 177 Ill. 2d R. 341(e)(7) (\u201cArgument, which shall contain the contentions of the appellant and the reasons therefor, with citation of the authorities and the pages of the record relied on\u201d). In the \u201cStatement of Facts\u201d in its brief, the employer cites Mitchell\u2019s testimony that she once disciplined an employee for late arrival. But when one reads the rest of Mitchell\u2019s testimony, it becomes apparent that she herself was not the one who imposed the discipline. She testified that she recommended to the assistant bureau chief that the employee receive a letter of reprimand and, as a result of her recommendation, the employee received one. Telecommunications supervisors can verbally counsel employees. Such verbal counseling, however, is not supervisory in nature unless it affects the terms and conditions of employment, and the record appears to contain no evidence that it does. See County of Lake & Sheriff of Lake County, 16 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 2036, at X\u2014160, No. S \u2014 UC\u201499\u2014017 (Illinois State Labor Relations Board, July 7, 2000) (hereinafter 16 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 2036). We are aware of no evidence that telecommunications supervisors have discretion to issue written reprimands. It appears that when discipline becomes necessary, all they may do is recommend the issuance of a letter of reprimand (or other discipline) and then their superiors either accept or reject that recommendation. Vail recommended a letter of reprimand, but her superiors declined to follow her recommendation and instead imposed a more severe punishment \u2014 suspension for a day. Stec denied that she had authority to impose discipline before speaking with someone higher in the chain of command. Her experience was similar to Vail\u2019s: higher-ranking officials did not always follow her recommendations in matters of discipline. Stec testified: \u201cSomething that I thought would warrant a written reprimand! ] ended up with a more severe discipline.\u201d See 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 72, at 246 (\u201cthe sergeants need approval from the deputy chief to issue an oral or written reprimand\u201d). On the basis of such evidence, a reasonable trier of fact could find that telecommunications supervisors\u2019 recommendations as to discipline are not \u201cadopted as a matter of course,\u201d without independent review and, therefore, telecommunications supervisors lack authority to \u201ceffectively recommend\u201d discipline (emphasis added) (5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006)). See County of Cook v. Illinois Labor Relations Board \u2014 Local Panel, 351 Ill. App. 3d 379, 396, 813 N.E.2d 1107, 1122 (2004), appeal denied, 212 Ill. 2d 530, 824 N.E.2d 283 (2004).\n3. The Negation of the Remaining Two Elements in Section 3(r), Since Telecommunications Supervisors Do Not Perform Supervisory Functions\nThe third proposition the employer had to prove was that telecommunications supervisors consistently used independent judgment in performing supervisory functions. See Chief Judge, 153 Ill. 2d at 515, 607 N.E.2d at 186. The fourth proposition was that telecommunications supervisors devoted a preponderance of their time to exercising supervisory functions. See Chief Judge, 153 Ill. 2d at 515, 607 N.E.2d at 186. By failing to prove that telecommunications supervisors performed supervisory functions, the employer necessarily failed to prove those remaining two propositions. See 16 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 2036, at X\u2014160.\nIII. CONCLUSION\nFor the foregoing reasons, we affirm the Board\u2019s decision.\nAffirmed.\nKNECHT, J., concurs.", "type": "majority", "author": "PRESIDING JUSTICE APPLETON" }, { "text": "JUSTICE COOK,\ndissenting:\nI respectfully dissent. I would reverse the decision of the Board and accept the ALJ\u2019s recommended order.\nThe State Police have 19 telecommunication centers throughout the state that support police and law-enforcement operations by answering emergency telephone calls from the public and radio calls for service from state troopers and other agencies. The centers dispatch troopers, run criminal histories, and collect and enter data. The telecommunications centers are administered by the Communications Service Bureau. The highest officials at the telecommunication centers are the 19 telecommunication supervisors, who report to but infrequently confer with the 4 regional managers. Two of the telecommunications supervisors actually function as regional managers. Each telecommunication supervisor has between 7 and 22 subordinates, including call-takers and lead call-takers who are usually assigned to shifts the telecommunications supervisor does not work.\nThe telecommunications supervisor oversees all communication operations at the center and trouble shoots. He or she observes call-takers\u2019 and lead call-takers\u2019 compliance with law, policy, procedures, and protocol, and also corrects their errors. The telecommunications supervisor schedules call-takers\u2019 work hours, decides overtime, prepares written reports, mediates employee disputes, evaluates employees, and handles leave requests. Telecommunications supervisors are on call 24 hours a day. The telecommunications supervisor monitors the work of subordinates by using a scanner, sometimes even when he or she is off duty at home. He or she carries a pager and cell phone so that he or she may be contacted when an issue arises. When a telecommunications supervisor hears a call-taker or lead call-taker giving wrong information or observes him or her not conforming to policy, he or she may immediately counsel the individual. The telecommunications supervisor may also transfer a subordinate to a different shift to allow greater monitoring and instruction.\nA telecommunications supervisor annually evaluates subordinate call-takers and lead call-takers. Telecommunications supervisors make hiring recommendations. Telecommunications supervisors effectively recommend the discharge of trainee employees. The telecommunications supervisor may issue written reprimands, which remain in an employee\u2019s personnel file for two years. In practice, those reprimands have been acted upon by the Assistant Bureau Chief and by Regional Managers.\nAn employee is a \u201csupervisor\u201d if (1) his or her principal work is substantially different from her subordinates; (2) he or she has authority to do things such as \u201cdirect\u201d or \u201cdiscipline\u201d employees; (3) that authority is not of a merely routine or clerical nature, but requires the consistent use of independent judgment; and (4) he or she devotes a preponderance of her employment time to exercising that authority. 5 ILCS 315/3(r) (West 2006). \u201cPreponderance\u201d is not determined by a strictly mathematical test. Whether a person is a supervisor should be defined by the significance of what that person does for the employer, regardless of the time spent on particular types of functions. County of Vermilion v. Illinois Labor Relations Board, 344 Ill. App. 3d 1126, 1136, 800 N.E.2d 875, 882 (2003).\nThe question presented in this case is an important one. There would be a conflict of interest if supervisors, who must apply the employer\u2019s policies to subordinates, are subject to control by the same union representing those subordinates. Freeport, 135 Ill. 2d at 517, 554 N.E.2d at 164. In this case, as in Freeport, if the telecommunications supervisors are not statutory \u201csupervisors,\u201d the telecommunications centers operate \u201centirely without supervision a large part of the time.\u201d Freeport, 135 Ill. 2d at 522, 554 N.E.2d at 166. In fact, because regional managers only occasionally travel to communication centers for meetings and interviews, the situation here may be more aggravated than that in Freeport.\nThe majority concludes that the principal work of the telecommunications supervisors is not significantly different from that of the lead call-takers. Lead call-takers monitor operations in the telecommunications supervisor\u2019s absence, but otherwise have no oversight responsibility. Lead call-takers do not prepare schedules, prepare written reports, mediate employee disputes, evaluate employees, handle leave requests, make hiring recommendations, issue written reprimands, or recommend the discharge of trainees. Lead call-takers are basically call-takers, members of the bargaining unit. City of Naperville, 8 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 2016, at X\u201499, No. S\u2014RC\u201492\u201415 (Illinois State Labor Relations Board, April 1, 1992) (holding that lead call-takers are members of the bargaining unit because they do not devote a preponderance of their time to supervisory activities). The majority recognizes that call-takers are not supervisors. If the majority is correct that lead call-takers are more like telecommunications supervisors than they are call-takers, then lead call-takers should be considered supervisors, not vice-versa.\nThe majority states that it is \u201caware of no evidence that telecommunications supervisors have discretion to issue written reprimands.\u201d 382 Ill. App. 3d at 229. The majority is mistaken. I agree with the ALJ that the record evidence establishes that telecommunications supervisors have authority to counsel employees for instances of misconduct and have discretion as to whether they will issue a written reprimand after several repeated instances of misconduct. Written reprimands remain in an employee\u2019s personnel file for two years. \u201cTelecommunications [supervisors exercise independent judgment in issuing written reprimands because they choose between two or more significant courses of action, counseling or a written reprimand.\u201d 23 Pub. Employee Rep. (Ill.) par. 38, at 103 (Illinois Labor Board, State Panel, Administrative Law Judge\u2019s Recommended Decision and Order, March 19, 2007).\nThe Board concluded telecommunications supervisors have no authority to discipline employees because \u201c[t]here was no evidence that the written reprimands authored by the employees at issue [(telecommunications supervisors)], and placed in their subordinates\u2019 personnel files, affected their employment, nor evidence that such reprimands were subsequently used to enhance later discipline.\u201d Written reprimands are just a meaningless ritual? The majority takes a different tack, that higher-ranking officials did not always follow the recommendations of the telecommunications supervisors, that they sometimes imposed more severe punishment. 382 Ill. App. 3d at 229. The fact of the matter is that there would be no discipline absent the recommendation of the telecommunications supervisors. There is no evidence that the recommendations of the telecommunications supervisors were ever ignored, only that higher ranking officials sometimes went beyond those recommendations. The Board\u2019s conclusion that the recommendations had no effect on the subordinates\u2019 employment is clearly erroneous. The subordinates had to be concerned with the views of the telecommunications supervisors, not the views of the regional managers \u2014 whom they almost never saw.", "type": "dissent", "author": "JUSTICE COOK," } ], "attorneys": [ "Mark W. Bennett (argued) and Lawrence Jay Weiner, Special Assistant Attorneys General, of Chicago, for petitioner.", "Scott D. Miller (argued), AFSCME Legal Counsel, of Chicago, for respondent American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.", "Lisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Chicago (Michael A. Scodro, Solicitor General, and Janon E. Fabiano (argued), Assistant Attorney General, of counsel), for other respondents." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "THE DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES (STATE POLICE), Petitioner-Appellant, v. ILLINOIS LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, STATE PANEL, et al., Respondents-Appellees.\nFourth District\nNo. 4\u201407\u20140344\nArgued January 16, 2008.\nOpinion filed April 24, 2008.\nCOOK, J., dissenting.\nMark W. Bennett (argued) and Lawrence Jay Weiner, Special Assistant Attorneys General, of Chicago, for petitioner.\nScott D. Miller (argued), AFSCME Legal Counsel, of Chicago, for respondent American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.\nLisa Madigan, Attorney General, of Chicago (Michael A. Scodro, Solicitor General, and Janon E. Fabiano (argued), Assistant Attorney General, of counsel), for other respondents." }, "file_name": "0208-01", "first_page_order": 226, "last_page_order": 251 }