About

About Us

Pictured in front row (left to right): Bridget Haas Hillier, Jennifer Lindsay Sans, Cherika Williams.

Not pictured: Johna Von Behrens

Pictured in back row (left to right): Eugene G. Josephitis, Colleen Hammel, Dale Billam

The Staff Advisory Council (SAC) consists of eight elected members representing each of the staff job groups on campus (clerical and secretarialskilled crafts and tradesexecutive/administrative and managerialservice and maintenance, and technical and paraprofessional) and appointed representatives from various campus groups. SAC acts in an advisory role and meets regularly with Illinois Human Resources.

SAC has always been active on committees affecting Staff employees’ work conditions, benefits, educational opportunities, and other activities that might impact them. Members of SAC have also sponsored concession stands at the Illini football games and have donated the proceeds to the Civil Service Employee and Dependent Scholarship Fund.

SAC was instrumental in getting the “non-academic” designation changed to “staff”. In 1991, the name of the Council was changed and they became the Staff Advisory Council. Today, SAC serves to review many changes in policy and procedure that concern staff employees.


SAC Welcomes Three New Representatives!

EEO 1 & 3

Dale Billam, Construction Project Coordinator for Facilities and Services. 

Dale is filling a council vacancy with a term beginning immediately through June of 2024.

EEO 5

Jennifer Sans, Office Administrator in the Undergraduate Programs Office at the Grainger College of Engineering.

Jennifer’s term will run from July 2023 to June of 2027.

EEO 7

Cherika Williams, Building Service Worker at University Housing.

Cherika’s term will run from July 2023 to June of 2027.


Constitution & Bylaws


Staff Advisory Council Members

Construction Project Coordinator II
Facilities and Services, SAC Vice President, Executive/Administrative/Managerial (EE0 1 & 3)

Stewardship, Alumni Relations and Operations Coordinator
College of Media Office of Advancement SAC Secretary, Clerical/Secretarial (EEO 5)

Events Specialist
Gies Mktg & Communications, SAC President, SAC Clerical/Secretarial classes (EEO 5)

Housing Maintenance Inspector
Housing Services, Service/Maintenance classes (EEO 7)

Office Administrator
Engineering Administration Clerical/Secretarial classes (EEO 5)

Building Service Worker
Housing Division, Service/Maintenance classes (EEO 7)


Chief of Staff
Illinois Human Resources Liaison to SAC

Senior Associate Chancellor of Human Resources
Ex-Officio


SAC History

The Council was formed in 1942 by a group of employees interested in issues of importance to staff employees. The group was first called the University of Illinois Civil Service Committee. The primary function of the committee was to disburse campus vending machine funds. The committee sponsored an employee jamboree, bowling leagues, a scholarship for a dependent of a staff member, and helped establish the Recognition Program that honored employees with 25 or more years of continuous service.

In 1956, the Council reorganized and changed its name to the Nonacademic Employees Council. The committee’s stated purpose was to serve Staff employees and to effectively allocate and spend the campus vending machine proceeds.

In 1971, distribution of campus vending machine profit to students and staff was discontinued. Again, the Council changed directions. Its current charge is to work with the Director of Illinois Human Resources in the solution of problems relating to all Staff employees and provide a means of informing employees of issues of interest and importance to their jobs and benefits.

The Council has always been active on committees affecting Staff employees’ work conditions, benefits, educational opportunities, and other activities that might impact them. Members of the Council have also sponsored concession stands at the Illini football games and have donated the proceeds to the Civil Service Employee and Dependent Scholarship Fund.

The Council was instrumental in getting the “non-academic” designation changed to “staff”. In 1991, the name of the Council was changed and they became the Staff Advisory Council. Today the Council serves to review many changes in policy and procedure that concern Staff employees.


Employee Advisory Committee

The Employment Advisory Committee (EAC) is a committee affiliated with the State Universities Civil Service System (SUCSS). Committee members represent their constituents by functioning in an advisory capacity to the Merit Board on “All matters pertaining to the University System.” EAC is made up of members who are elected by civil service employees.

The council’s main responsibilities include reviewing and making recommendations on issues related to civil service employment, classification and compensation, recruitment and selection, employee training and development, and employee relations. The EAC also reviews proposed changes to SUCSS rules and policies, and provides feedback and input to the SUCSS Executive Director and Board.