SUCSAC Employee Advisory Committee
Meet the State Universities Civil Service Advisory Committee Members
The State Universities Civil Service Advisory Committee (SUCSAC) to the Merit Board SUCSAC, also referred to as the Employee Advisory Committee (EAC), is the only committee mandated by Section 36c of the Civil Service Act (110 ILCS 70/36c). The members of the committee are elected by civil service employees at each of the Universities and Agencies served.
The elected members of EAC committee, have chosen to go above and beyond their civil service employment by making the commitment to serve the State of Illinois and fellow civil service employees by representing them on this advisory committee. Committee members represent their constituents by functioning in an advisory capacity to the Merit Board on "All matters pertaining to the University System." The Committee meets at least quarterly at campuses throughout the state, welcoming civil service employees at the particular campus to attend.
The powers and duties of the Merit Board are set forth in section 36d of the State Universities Civil Service Act (110 ILCS 70/36d) as follows:
• To approve a classification plan and delegate to its Executive Director the duty of assigning positions to appropriate classes.
• To prescribe the duties of each class of positions.
• To prescribe the range of compensation for each class or to fix a single rate of compensation for employees in a particular class.
• To approve ranges and rates for the payment of wages paid generally in the community for work of a similar character.
• To recommend standards of hours of work, holidays, sick leave, overtime compensation and vacation.
• To prescribe standards of examinations for each class, the examinations to be related to the duties of such class.
• To authorize continuous recruitment and to delegate to the Executive Director and staff the power and duty to conduct open and continuous competitive examinations for all classifications.
• To cause to be established from the results of examinations registers for each class of positions.
• To provide by its rules for promotions in the classified service.
• To provide by its rules for employment of physically handicapped persons.
• To make and publish rules, to carry out the purpose of the University System, and for examination, appointment, transfer, and removals to include layoffs.
• To appoint an Executive Director and such assistants and other clerical and technical help as may be necessary to efficiently administer the Act. To submit to the Governor on or before November l of each year prior to the regular session of the General Assembly a report of the University System’s business and an estimate of the amount of appropriation from state funds required for the purpose of administering the University System.
• To review transcripts of hearings and findings of fact as made by hearing boards and enter decisions and orders in discharge and demotion proceedings.
UIC Human Resources and the Staff Advisory Council are pleased to announce and congratulate:
Jemila Burton is serving a partial term June 24, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Mirella Layla Campos is serving a term January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027.
Brian Miller is serving a term June 24, 2025 through December 31, 2028.
Jemila Burton
ID Center West Manager
UIC ID Center
On November 16, 2020, Jemila Burton became a Civil Service Customer Service Representative at UI Health and served for at least three years. Jemila holds a civil service position as the ID Center West Manager, which totals four and a half years of service. As a Civil Service employee, Jemila provided the utmost care and worked with cross-functional clinical teams to ensure the patients received excellent customer service and care.
Jemila Burton has actively participated and served as a member of SEIU Local 73 and the African American Caucus (AFRAM), and as a member of the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Asian Americans (CCAA), elected to the Advisory Board starting August 2025. Additionally, she marched to the capital for equal rights and justice. In neighboring states such as Wisconsin and Michigan, hundreds of others, including Jemila, encouraged people to get out and vote.
Furthermore, Jemila participated in a march to help raise the minimum wage for security workers and nurses in Wisconsin, Missouri and Chicago and attended several meetings to shed light on some of the challenges that the Civil Service employees experienced in customer-facing clinical and hospital settings, and administrative roles, as well as concerns of living wages. In August of 2024, Jemila served as the Deputy Chairperson for Local 73 Union Elections. June 28 – 30, 2024, Jemila participated in the Poor People’s March and Rally in Washington, advocating for those facing homelessness and unlivable wages.
In addition, Jemila served as an African American (AFRAM) member for at least four years. During her time, Jemila attended the first African American (AFRAM) conference in April of 2025, assisted with logistics of a book scholarship for High school graduates, co-led and planned the 2024 Bud Billiken Parade, and recruited new members. In 2022, Jemila collaborated with the African American Caucus (AFRAM) to provide winter clothing for people experiencing homelessness and those in need. Jemila holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Ashford University, Forbes School of Business, completed a Mental Health First Aid certificate, and is pursuing a Google Certificate in Project Management.
Jemila’s passion and career goal are to be a resource for the youth and community and to work for an organization that helps people for the greater good and the community. Jemila believes in and values higher education, professional development resource programs, and the well-being of the people. Jemila has a tabby cat named Lolo, enjoys being involved in community efforts and events, traveling, and being outdoors. As a representative for the Civil Service Advisory Board, Jemila plans to advocate for the well-being of all civil service workers, considering working conditions, wages, injustice, discrimination, and discrepancies, and to open more doors for everyone.
Jemila serves a partial term June 24, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Mirella “Layla" Campos
Certified Medical Assistant
Internal Medicine Center
Mirella “Layla” Campos is passionate about resolving workplace issues that bring meaningful change and allow workers and their families to thrive. She has given 18 years of service to the University of Illinois Chicago as a Certified Medical Assistant. She has been a proud Local 73 union member since she started working for UIC, and for the past three years has defended the rights of her coworkers as a Local 73 union steward. Layla has recently joined the bargaining committee for the first time and is co-captain of the Technical Bargaining committee. Her dedication to protecting the health and safety of her coworkers, patients, and visitors resulted in her receiving the 2019 Staff Advisory Council Professional Development Award. Layla is also enrolled in the Labor Leadership Program at DePaul University on a scholarship provided in part by 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and DePaul University.
Layla also uses her artistic talents to support social movements across the United States and Latin America. She volunteered with the organization “Las Caras Lindas,” empowering young Chicagoans to explore the city’s diversity through art. She has organized fundraisers through art galleries and music sets showcasing local and international acts. When she is not advocating for labor rights and social justice, she is spending time with her two children.
Layla serves a term January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027.
Brian Miller
Medical Education Program Specialist
College of Medicine
Brian Miller joined UIC as a volunteer in December 2016 and got his first position as an extra-help employee in 2017. Brian is now a Medical Education Program Specialist in the College of Medicine.
From the outset, Brian knew he wanted to build a career at the University, but he did not anticipate developing such a deep admiration for its mission and values. He witnessed the unwavering dedication of staff members working in service to students and patients—often without recognition. These experiences sparked in Brian a commitment to support and elevate the voices of his fellow employees.
Brian believes that the University owes a profound debt of gratitude to its employees. It is the employees’ commitment and sacrifice that upholds the University’s mission and keeps it moving forward. In his former role, Brian was an active member of SEIU Local 73 and served as a Chief Steward. In this capacity, he was a contract captain during the 2020 contract negotiations, was a leader in labor management meetings where he advocated for better working conditions and fair compensation for workers. One of his proudest achievements was winning an arbitration case regarding stolen overtime pay for clerical staff—an effort that underscores his dedication to employee rights. More recently, on May 30, 2025, Brian won an Unfair Labor Practice charge he filed as well.
Brian continues his advocacy through his role on the Staff Advisory Council, where he works to amplify staff concerns and ensure their perspectives are heard. He considers this work both vital and sacred. With a proven record of representation, action, and accountability, Brian is confident he is the right choice to serve on the State Universities Civil Service Advisory Committee.
Brian serves a term June 24, 2025 through December 31, 2028.