Chicago, IL. (ECWd) –
We’ve got written several articles coping with a public official’s protected First Modification proper to inform anybody and everybody what was mentioned throughout an govt (closed) session assembly, and to take action with out concern of reprisal for such speech.
Primarily, the appropriate to discuss closed session discussions retains everybody trustworthy, retains them in compliance with the legislation, and on this case, may need prevented extra sexual assaults of feminine lifeguards on the Chicago Park District pool, allegedly perpetrated by staff of the District.
After studying the article entitled “Chicago Park District leaders sat on a lifeguard abuse complaint for more than 6 months, a new report finds” – it turned clear how supervisors and even the board president knew of the allegations for years and months earlier than feigning any curiosity in confirming or denying the allegations.
If the board president knew, then the remainder of the board ought to have identified of the allegations, and we suspect some dialogue was held in closed session associated to those allegations and complaints. Any board member who knew of the allegations, and who failed to make sure motion or investigation was instantly taken has failed the general public and the victims. If just one board member would have went public with the allegations when investigations weren’t instantly commenced, it may need saved extra females from changing into victims of park district staff.
The District did lastly publish an announcement on November 2, 2021 (here).
Silence is acquiescence, and can’t be tolerated.
The reviews are right here, and the victims are as younger as 16 years previous:
We urge all public officers to take observe: You need to converse up when legal guidelines are being damaged, even when it means you will need to discuss closed assembly discussions. Your obligation to the individuals outweigh your obligation to the general public physique you’re a member of.
