West Chicago's Finance Committee will consider a three-year contract for patrol officers and a liquor tax increase at its next meeting.

The police contract, negotiated between the city and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Labor Council on behalf of West Chicago patrol officers, would run from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028. It calls for wage increases of 3.25% in the first year, 4.50% in the second and 4.25% in the third.

The first-year raise would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026. Eligible officers still employed when the deal is signed would receive back pay.

Officers would also pick up a growing share of health insurance costs. Employee contributions would rise from 12% in 2026 to 13% in 2027 and 14% in 2028, with the city covering the rest.

A scheduling change starting in 2027 would move officers on 12-hour shifts from an 84-hour pay period to 80 hours over 14 days. The agenda packet notes that reduction was factored into the wage increases negotiated for the final two years of the deal.

The contract also caps vacation accrual at twice an officer's annual rate, with an absolute ceiling of 480 hours. Officers already above that limit would keep their existing balance.

Sick leave would generally no longer count as time worked for overtime calculations, with exceptions for approved Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) absences and cases backed by medical documentation.

Police Chief Colin Fleury prepared the contract item. Tia Messino, listed as acting city administrator on the agenda, approved it for the committee.

City staff recommends approval.

The second item, Ordinance No. 26-O-0023, would raise the city's Retail Package Liquor Tax. The specific rate or dollar amount of the proposed increase was not included in the publicly available portion of the agenda packet.

Both items appear on the consent agenda, meaning they could be approved without individual discussion unless a committee member requests separate consideration.

The Finance Committee meets at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, in the City Council Chambers at 475 Main St. Committee members as of the Sept. 8 meeting included Aldermen Daniel M. Beebe, Sandy Dimas, Matthew Myers, Jayme Sheahan, Christopher Swiatek and Tracey Hernandez. Alderman Rebecca Stout was absent from that session.