(A) Entry into merit system. The ranks of corrections officer and Deputy Sheriff are the sole entry points into the Sheriff’s Office merit system.
(B) Appointment to the Department. All applicants for appointment as Deputy and corrections officer to the Sheriff’s Office, in addition to meeting the standards prescribed by the Sheriff’s Merit System Law as found in 55 ILCS 5/3-8001 et seq., must:
(1) (a) Deputy Sheriff. Be no younger than 21 years of age at the time the application is received by the Commission; and
(b) Corrections officer. Be no younger than 19 years of age at the time the application is received by the Commission.
(2) Be a high school graduate, or have certificate of equivalency comparable to the state’s GED;
(3) Be a resident of the state for one year from date of hire to establish residency in the county, and shall maintain such residency as a condition of request to partake in the testing procedures and receive dispensation from the Commission until the date of his or her discharge from the military;
(4) Possess a valid Illinois driver’s license prior to appointment and be qualified to obtain a FOID;
(5) Meet such other mental, medical, physical, psychological, or other standards as prescribed by the Commission (medical examination to be paid for by the Commission);
(6) A Deputy Sheriff/correctional officer must be able to successfully complete a written exam as required by the Commission;
(7) Be acceptable to the Commission following an investigation of background, reputation, and character. Said examination to be conducted by the Sheriff’s Office;
(8) Be acceptable to the Commission following an oral interview;
(9) Be adjudged as qualified by the commission and placed on a list of qualified applicants. A separate list shall be established for corrections officer and Deputy Sheriff;
(10) Be appointed from the qualified list by the Sheriff when a vacancy or vacancies exist; and
(11) Serve successfully a one-year probationary period during which time he or she is subjected to removal at the will of the Sheriff.
(C) Certification. Candidates who are found to be qualified by the Commission shall be placed on a certification list. This list shall remain in force until the next written examination is authorized and given by the Commission, or a period of two years has lapsed from the certification date, whichever is shorter.
(D) Probation. All persons appointed as certified employees shall serve an initial 12-month probation period, at which time the Deputy Sheriff/correctional officer will be granted tenure. An extension of the probationary period of not more than six months may be granted upon application of the probationary employee to the Sheriff and upon the Sheriff’s affirmative recommendation to the Merit Commission prior to expiration of the original probationary period.
(E) Appointment procedures. The responsibilities of the Merit Commission include:
(1) Preparing and posting in the lobby of the first floor of the Sheriff’s Office a list of all qualified candidates at the completion of the entry screening process in accordance with the foregoing; and
(2) Withdraw from the qualified list the name of any applicant who declines to accept an appointment.
(F) Interim appointments. When necessary, the Sheriff may make interim appointments to any merited position. Such appointments shall be temporary in nature and shall terminate upon the posting of a new list of qualified candidates, or may be terminated earlier at the discretion of the Sheriff. All personnel who receive temporary appointments must meet the immediately applicable qualifications prescribed in division (B) above. Under no circumstances shall this appointment last more than six months.
(Prior Code, 2 TCC 3-5)