Section 310.480  Decreases in Pay

Employees subject to this Part shall have their salaries reduced only as specified in this Section.  Any reduction in salary shall become effective on the first day of the month following approval of the reduction.

a)         Demotion for Cause to a Lower Class – If the employee's current base salary is within the lower salary range, it shall be retained without change, but shall be reduced to the maximum of the lower salary range if in excess of that maximum.  An employee demoted during a probationary period following promotion will have the base salary reduced to the same salary the employee received before being promoted and the previous creditable service date will be restored.

b)         Position Reallocated to a Lower Class – If the employee's current base salary is within the lower salary range, it shall be retained without change, but shall be reduced to the maximum of the lower salary range if in excess of that maximum.  However, as provided in Section 8(a) of the Personnel Code, the pay of an employee whose position is reallocated because of duties and responsibilities after appointment to that position shall not be required to be lowered to a salary within the range for a period of one year.  The reallocation shall not change the creditable service date.

c)         Voluntary Reduction to a Lower Class – If the employee's current base salary is within the lower salary range, it shall be retained without change, but shall be reduced to the maximum of the lower salary range if in excess of that maximum.  However, an employee who voluntarily requests a reduction during a probationary period following a promotion will have the base salary reduced to the same salary in the lower salary range from which the employee was promoted and the previous creditable service date will be restored.

d)         Assignment of a Lower Salary Range to a Class – If the employee's current base salary is within the lower salary range, it shall be retained without change, but shall be reduced to the maximum of the lower salary range if in excess of that maximum.  The reevaluation shall not change the creditable service date.

e)         Adjustment – An employee may receive a downward adjustment in base salary for the purpose of correcting a previous error or oversight or when the best interest of the agency or the State of Illinois will be served.  Adjustments must have the prior approval of the Director in writing.  In determining the appropriateness of a request for a salary adjustment by an employing agency, the Director will consider whether the need for the adjustment is substantial, whether the action is consistent with the treatment of other similar situations, and whether the action is equitable in view of the particular circumstances prompting the request.  The adjustment shall not change the creditable service date.

f)         Reclassification – If the employee's current base salary is within the lower salary range, it shall be retained without change.  If the employee's current base salary is higher than the maximum of the lower salary range, the base salary shall be reduced to the maximum of the lower salary range.  As provided in Section 8(a) of the Personnel Code, the base salary shall not be lowered to a salary within the range for a period of one year.

(Source:  Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 12146, effective July 13, 2020)