By Heart of Illinois ABC
NORMAL – An independent investigator looking into discrimination complaints against top government leaders in Normal are without merit, and he scolded the town council member who made the allegations.
Council member Stan Nord went to Normal’s human relations director March 17 accusing Mayor Chris Koos, City Manager Pam Reece, and her staff of discriminating against him, according to a report from a Chicago-area lawyer, who said the town hired him to conduct an “independent” review.
The report, obtained by Heart of Illinois-ABC, said Nord complained Koos directs government staffers not to answer his questions during council meetings, or to do work he requests. Nord also said the information he’s given is different from what other council members receive.
Rosemont lawyer Benjamin Gehrt, who looked into the matter, said there’s no evidence that “adverse action” was taken against Nord “based on his gender, race, age, religion, or any other trait or characteristic” protected by town policy, or by state or federal anti-discrimination laws.
According to the report, Nord told Gehrt, “I don’t know what type of discrimination this is, other than I am the minority voice.”
Gehrt said during council meeting disputes, Mayor Koos performed his duty to “maintain order and decorum.”
The investigator said Nord is also overstating his role as a council member, disagreeing that City Manager Reece is obligated to comply with Nord’s requests.
Nord claimed he was not given all relevant details about Rivian auto plant expansion, and information concerning the mayor’s emergency powers to combat COVID-19.
Gehrt took Nord to task for making discrimination complaints based on political disputes.
“All elected officials should refrain from using the Town’s Human Resources department as a tool in their political disputes,” Gehrt said.
Gehrt is an attorney with the Rosemont law firm Clark Baird Smith. He said the firm has “occasionally” provided the town government with legal advice over the years on various labor and employment matters. Gehrt said he has no prior connections to elected officials in Normal, including Koos and Nord.
The cost to taxpayers for Gehrt’s investigation was not immediately available.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].
