Winnebago Co., Ill. (ECWd) –
We previously wrote about the Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County (“VACWC”) ignoring FOIA requests. We sent requested for targeted records because we believed we knew what was in them. The VAC has yet to respond.
Earlier this year, Willie Borden, the “Interim Superintendent” of the VACWC allegedly terminated the employment of their only Veteran Service Officer after she filed a grievance against the Interim Superintendent alleging the following:
- This disciplinary action constitutes retaliation for asserting reasonable professional boundaries, expressing concerns about workload and health, and declining to immediately correct an oversight for which I was not responsible. I was pressured to sign the disciplinary document despite stating that I did not agree with its contents. I declined to sign, as is my right.
- Mr. Borden’s conduct—including yelling, isolating me from a witness, dismissing legitimate workload and health concerns, and issuing disciplinary action in response—has created a hostile work environment and undermined my ability to perform my duties without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
Shortly after the grievance was filed, the employee received a letter stating that her employment was immediately terminated, with no apparent reason(s) given.
Additionally, the Veteran Service Officers administrative assistant was terminated the same day and the reason cited “The Veterans Assistance Commission has decided to move in a different direction“. This after the VSO was praised for assisting a Veteran secure over $400,000 in retroactive disability compensation.
We suggest the Interim Superintendent was never properly appointed, and the VAC violated the Open Meetings Act by voting on his appointment when there was nothing on the agenda for appointing any employee. This would mean he could not legally act as a supervisor and could not terminate any employees.
VACs are required under Illinois law to have certified Veteran Service Officers on staff, now the VACWC has none.
