DeWitt County Clerk Sued Over Whistleblower Retaliation Allegations –

DeWitt Co., Ill. (ECWd) –

On August 6, 2026, DeWitt County Clerk, Kari Harris, was sued in Dewitt County Circuit Court over 8 Counts of alleged Whistleblower Act Violations.

The allegations include election related things, use of (county) resources for bolstering support for Clerk’s reelection, paying unauthorized bonuses to employees, retaliation based on support for a different candidate for county clerk, and other things.

There are four Plaintiffs and all were employees of DeWitt County at the time of the relevant incidents.

Defendant is the DeWitt County Clerk.

From the Complaint:

• That on June 5, 2025, HARRIS provided Plaintiffs with a copy of new personnel and confidentiality policies unilaterally implemented by HARRIS, and Plaintiffs were advised Plaintiffs on June 5, 2025, that Plaintiffs were required to review and sign the new personnel and confidentiality policies unilaterally implemented by HARRIS
• During periods after July 17, 2025 and continuing to September 6, 2025 and after, HARRIS advised Plaintiffs that it was the desire of HARRIS that Plaintiffs participate in political events occurring outside of the normal assigned work hours of Plaintiffs to show support for HARRIS and HARRIS’ reelection campaign for the position of DeWitt County Clerk and Recorder in the election to be held in March of 2026
• Initially, HARRIS had advised Plaintiffs that each of them would be required to march in parades and attend scheduled political events to demonstrate support for HARRIS; notwithstanding that each of the Plaintiffs planned to refrain from marching in events or participating in political events in support of HARRIS during their own personal time and outside of the normal hours of employment of Plaintiffs
• HARRIS made it clear to Plaintiffs that their support of her campaign for reelection in March of 2026 was expected since Plaintiffs were employed by DEWITT and assigned to work for HARRIS during periods relevant to the matters set forth in this Complaint
• HARRIS humiliated, harassed and intimidated Plaintiffs in the Plaintiffs’ workplace at DEWITT due to Plaintiffs’ political beliefs and political affiliations even though Plaintiffs were meeting the legitimate business expectations of HARRIS and DEWITT during all periods when Plaintiffs were performing work for HARRIS and DEWITT
• That on September 8, 2025, ALSUP, MCGHEE, and WILSON reported for their normal work shift for HARRIS and DEWITT, HARRIS demanded
  ALSUP’s resignation – this was after Plaintiffs attended and participated in a political event, outside their normal work hours, in favor of HARRIS’ opponent in the upcoming election
• That during the tenure of HARRIS as the DeWitt County Clerk and Recorder, HARRIS has misused funds and misallocated funds, including but not limited to misusing funds to pay bonuses to Plaintiffs during periods when Plaintiffs were performing their regular assigned job duties for HARRIS and while Plaintiffs were being paid their usual salary by DEWITT in violation of municipal finance laws and regulations of DEWITT applicable to HARRIS
• . . . HARRIS used DEWITT resources to garner support for her candidacy during periods when HARRIS was performing her official job duties as the DeWitt County Clerk and Recorder in violation of municipal finance laws and regulations of DEWITT appliable to HARRIS
• . . . HARRIS was using social media of the DeWitt County Clerk and Recorder’s office, including but not limited to specifically on July 7, 2025 to garner support for her reelection in violation of applicable laws and regulations of DEWITT appliable to HARRIS

We will keep tracking this lawsuit, check back for updates.