DANVILLE — Sandra Finch, a former city employee, is suing the City of Danville and Mayor Rickey Williams Jr.
Finch cited her firing in February by the human relations department as discriminatory and retaliatory.
In a news release from Langacker Law, her attorney Ronald Langacker said that Finch exemplified dedication to the people of Danville for 35 years.
“She served honorably through three different mayoral administrations, working to enforce anti-discrimination laws and protect residents’ rights,’’ Langacker said. “Ms. Finch looks forward to addressing the injustice of her dismissal in court.”
Court records say in the suit, allegedly Finch emailed Williams on Sept. 26, 2024, in regards to a tenant notice that appeared to her to be “retaliatory, citing the City’s Chapter 163 ordinance and asked how the City wished to proceed with “this possible violation.”
Records state the matter was closed by the city without taking any action on Finch’s claim, closing the file a month later.
The tenant then sought out legal help regarding an eviction.
Following that, Williams accused Finch of misconduct.
Court records state Finch was told she had not been clocking in and out of her shift as required. Her employment was terminated on Feb. 4.
Records state, “Plaintiff was discharged without any progressive discipline, prior warning, and/or being allowed to correct any alleged issue. The swiftness and severity of this action were unprecedented for someone in Plaintiff’s position as a department head, especially given the trivial nature of the purported offense.”
The court document continues stating there were no options for reconciliation, and claims the reason for Finch’s firing was “pretextual and false”
The documents charge the city and the Mayor with: Violation of the Illinois Whistleblower’s Act, Racial Discrimination in Violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act, and Age Discrimination in Violation of the Illinois Human Relations Act.
Finch is asking for damages to compensate her for her job loss, punitive damage, attorney fees and costs, prejudgment interest, and a trial by jury.