The Illinois Labor Relations Board has upheld a summary ruling against the city of Peoria earlier this year restricting "brownout" of fire department engines. In February 2019, Administrative Law Judge Matthew Nagy summarily ruled in favor of International Association of Firefighters Local 50, the union representing Peoria's firefighters, after the city failed to respond to an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the union. The union said the city refused to provide a signed copy of a memorandum of understanding it was using to justify the "brownout" policy, which took machines out of service on certain days in a cost-cutting measure. The union said it had made other consessions with the understanding all machines would remain in service. The city claimed the decision was issued by Nagy without "notice or participation" by the city, and said the substantial cost to taxpayers imposed by suspending the brownouts was prejudicial. It requested a variance.