(A) Generally.
(1) The Board, by its rules, shall provide for promotion in the Fire and Police Departments on the basis of ascertained merit and seniority in service and examination, and shall provide in all cases, where it is practicable, that vacancies shall be filled by promotion. All examinations for promotion shall be competitive among such members of the next lower rank as desire to submit themselves to examination, except, in the case of the Police Department, when there are less than three applicants for appointment and further except that the Chief of Police, the Deputy Police Chiefs, Chief of the Fire Department, and the Deputy Fire Chiefs may be appointed from among members of the Police and Fire Departments, respectively, regardless of rank, unless the Council shall by ordinance as to them otherwise provide. Notwithstanding any other rule or regulation of the Board or otherwise, a member who has not completed a promotional probationary appointment shall likewise be eligible for appointment to the position of Police or Fire Chief respectively.
(2) The Board in determining next in order of rank in promotional examination for Police Department positions may determine a policy of extending the examination to all ranks of the Police Department in an endeavor to quality suitable eligibles before extending the examinations to any person having the necessary qualifications. With respect to the Police Department, all promotions shall be made from the three having the highest rating, and where there are less than three names on the promotional eligible register, appointment may be made from those names remaining. The method of examination and the rules governing promotion in the Police Department shall be the same as provided for applicants for original appointment. With respect to the File Department, promotions shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Department Promotion Act and/or any applicable collective bargaining agreement. The Board shall strike off the names of candidates for promotional appointment after they have remained thereon for more than two years provided that there is no vacancy existing which can be filled from the promotional register.
(B) Promotional preferences.
(1) Educational preferences. The Board shall have the power and the authority to allow promotional preferences to members of the Fire and Police Department who have obtained or acquired educational degrees beyond a high school or equivalent degree as specified below.
(2) Educational credit. If the Board elects to give educational preferences as provided in division (B)(1) above, it shall designate and provide notice to candidates of the points which shall be added to the candidate’s grade average, but in no event shall the total educational preference points allowable exceed four.
(3) Preferences for candidates for positions in the Fire Department. In the case of applicants for firefighter positions, persons who have the qualifications or credentials, including educational credentials, listed in ILCS Ch. 65, Act 5, § 10-2.1-6(h) may be preferred in the appointment from the initial eligibility register.
(1980 Code, § 11.608) (Ord. 9309, passed 6-26-2017)