Seven months after Jerel Jones was fired as Flossmoor police chief, the village has settled his lawsuit claiming his firing was a type of racial discrimination.
The village agreed to pay Jones practically $60,000 “to keep away from the prices and distraction of extended litigation,” Mayor Michelle Nelson stated in a press release Friday.
“Our precedence has at all times been to serve the pursuits of our group and we imagine this decision will enable us to focus our assets on persevering with to offer high-quality providers and selling a constructive and inclusive surroundings for all residents,” Nelson stated. . “I stay up for persevering with to work collectively, with residents and workers, in direction of our shared objectives.”
Nelson continues to disclaim any wrongdoing. Village officers stated Jones was fired lower than a yr into his service resulting from poor efficiency. However, Jones claimed within the lawsuit filed lower than per week later that he was fired as a result of the village retaliated over a grievance he filed on Oct. 5, 2023, that he suffered “disparate therapy” from Village Director Bridgette Wachtel.
Wachtel was named within the lawsuit together with Nelson and the village.
Jones’ legal professional, Cass Casper of the Disparti Law Group in Chicago, declined to remark past a joint assertion issued to signify each Jones and the village of Flossmoor.
“After in depth discussions, the Village and Mr. Jones have come to an settlement relating to their respective views on the case,” the assertion learn. “Plaintiff Jones has agreed to enter into an agreed-upon settlement to resolve the case and finish the litigation in its entirety and permit each events to maneuver ahead.”
Casper had beforehand stated Jones would dismiss the lawsuit if the mayor issued a public apology and reinstated Jones as police chief. The village named Carl Estelle in July as its subsequent police chief.
Residents supported Jones at packed village board conferences earlier than his firing, defending him and looking for solutions to rumors that the chief’s job was on the road.
Richton Park employed Jones in September as deputy police chief.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
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