Metro-East News

East St. Louis police union pay dispute ongoing for years. Here's what to know

Stories by Belleville News-Democrat journalists, with AI summarization

The ongoing dispute between East St. Louis police union and city leadership revolves around long-standing pay disagreements extending from 2015.

The East St. Louis police union has sought judicial intervention for back pay and interest since 2015, filing petitions for settlement. A St. Clair County judge's decision in October 2025 supports a significant back pay award, including legal fees and interest, confirming earlier arbitrations.

Despite the union's persistence, the city plans to appeal, delaying payment further. Previously, the city's rejection of a negotiated settlement and the union's change in representation added layers to the conflict. The police union's frustration persists due to stalled payments and drawn-out legal processes over nearly a decade.

Read more in the stories below:

The last collective bargaining agreement for members of the East St. Louis police officers union expired at the end of 2015. Despite an arbitrator’s ruling that they are due a 2% annual raise retroactive to Jan. 1, 2016, the officers have not seen a pay increase.

NO. 1: IN MIDST OF CONTRACT FIGHT, EAST ST. LOUIS COPS DROPPED BY FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE UNION

East St. Louis police officers have been members of the FOP since the union was chartered in Illinois in 1915. | Published April 5, 2022 | Read Full Story by Carolyn P Smith

The last collective bargaining agreement for members of the East St. Louis police officers union expired at the end of 2015. Despite an arbitrator’s ruling that they are due a 2% annual raise retroactive to Jan. 1, 2016, the officers have not seen a pay increase.

NO. 2: EAST ST. LOUIS POLICE UNION WANTS JUDGE TO RULE ON BACK PAY DISPUTE DATING TO 2015

"It is disheartening to know that the city is failing us," union leader says. | Published October 9, 2023 | Read Full Story by Carolyn P Smith

The last collective bargaining agreement for members of the East St. Louis police officers union expired at the end of 2015. Despite an arbitrator’s ruling that they are due a 2% annual raise retroactive to Jan. 1, 2016, the officers have not seen a pay increase.

NO. 3: ANOTHER JUDGE’S RULING FAVORS EAST ST. LOUIS COPS. WILL THEY FINALLY GET BACK PAY?

A St. | Published October 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carolyn P. Smith

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.