Flossmoor, IL – Nearly seven months following the termination of former police chief Jerel Jones, the village of Flossmoor has reached a settlement in a lawsuit he filed claiming his dismissal was racially motivated. Authorities agreed to a payout of approximately $56,000 to Jones, casting the decision as an effort to sidestep the cost and distractions of a protracted legal battle.
According to Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson, the settlement aligns with the village’s commitment to prioritize community welfare and maintain high standards of inclusivity and service. "We believe this resolution allows us to dedicate our resources to continue providing high-quality services and fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all residents,” Nelson commented. She firmly holds that there was no misconduct involved in Jones’s discharge.
The backdrop to this legal settlement was marked by controversy. Jones, less than a year into his role, was dismissed for what village officials described as substandard performance. However, Jones retorted with a lawsuit filed shortly after his removal, suggesting that his firing came as a repercussion for a formal complaint he lodged on October 5, 2023. In his complaint, Jones accused village manager Bridgette Wachtel of discriminatory treatment, roping in both her and Nelson in the lawsuit.
A joint statement released by representatives for both Jones and the village sketched a picture of reconciliation. "Following extensive discussions, the Village and Mr. Jones have reached an understanding regarding their respective viewpoints about the case,” the statement detailed. It also announced Jones’s decision to settle and dismiss the lawsuit, allowing both parties to progress beyond the dispute.
Jones’s legal representative, Cass Casper of Disparti Law Group in Chicago, opted to withhold additional comments, standing by the terms of the joint statement. Initial demands from Jones for a public apology and reinstatement as police chief were met with silence from the village’s side. Instead, Carl Estelle was appointed as the new police chief last July.
The controversy surrounding Jones’s termination stirred public support, with local residents crowding Village Board meetings to defend him and demand clarity concerning the alleged instability of his position.
Since the onset of the dispute, Jones found a fresh start by securing a position as the deputy police chief in neighboring Richton Park in September.
The unfolding of this lawsuit portrays a complex layer of local governance, public accountability, and the ongoing challenges of navigating employment and racial sensitivity issues within law enforcement agencies.
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