State worker’s firing violated whistleblower laws, 1st District rules

By Lauraann Wood Law Bulletin staff writer

Posted May 25, 2017 2:42 PM

The Illinois Department of Human Services violated state whistleblower protections when it terminated a 13-year employee’s contract and must pay him back wages, a state appeals panel ruled Tuesday.Jerry Wynn sued IDHS in 2012 alleging it violated the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act when it decided not to renew his yearly contract in retaliation for reporting an improper $100,000 payment to an auditor.The department contended its decision came through collaboration with the American Federation of State …

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