Illinois Government Employee Representation

Employment Law for Public Employees Across Chicago and Illinois

We are proud to stand with the public servants who keep our communities running. From City of Chicago workers to Illinois state agency employees, teachers, transit workers, police officers, firefighters, federal government employees and more — we represent government employees who face challenges in the workplace.

Public sector workers in Illinois are protected by a unique set of laws and procedures. Federal government employees have a completely different process to protect their legal rights.  Our firm knows how to navigate these systems — and how to challenge them when your rights are violated.

Who We Represent

We represent employees in:

• State of Illinois agencies (e.g., IDOT, IDPH, IDOC, etc.)
• City of Chicago departments (e.g., CPD, CFD, Streets & Sanitation)
• Cook County and other county governments
• Suburban municipal and township government departments
• Federal Government 
• Public school districts 
• Park districts
• Transit authorities 
• Public universities and community colleges

Whistleblower Retaliation

Illinois law protects employees who report unlawful conduct, workplace safety violations, or misuse of taxpayer dollars. You should never be punished for doing the right thing. We represent whistleblowers under the:

• Illinois Whistleblower Act
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
• Chicago and Cook County ethics codes
• State Officials and Employees Ethics Act

Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation

We represent government employees in claims of:

• Race, gender, disability, and age discrimination
• Sexual harassment in public agencies
• Retaliation for reporting misconduct

We routinely appear before the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), EEOC, and other state and local agencies. 

In Illinois, it is illegal to retaliate against employees who complain about sexual harassment and discrimination.   Two of our lawyers--Heidi Karr Sleper and Jacob Exline--were on the trial team that obtained an $11 million verdict for a Country Club Hills firefighter.  Jury awards $11 million in Country Club Hills firefighter sexual harassment, gender discrimination suit – Chicago Tribune 

First Amendment and Political Speech Protections

If you were disciplined or terminated for speaking out about government waste, public safety, agency wrongdoing, or about other issues your speech may be protected. For example, Attorney Sleper was able to reach a settlement for a police officer Union president who spoke out regarding safety issues at the River Forest Police Department. https://www.oakpark.com/2021/02/24/river-forest-police-chief-four-others-named-in-lawsuit/

We also represent a Public Defender in Cook County who spoke up about a matter of free speech. 

Click here to read more about the free speech rights of government employees. 

Federal Government Employees

 Federal government employees are often subject to their own set up unique rules and regulations.   Examples of federal government employees including: 

• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Department of Defense (DoD)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
• Department of Justice (DOJ)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

We represent federal employees before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Office of Special Counsel, as well as bringing suit in federal court to protect the rights of our clients.

Our Public Employee Services

Disciplinary Proceedings & Due Process

Public employees in Illinois often have protections under civil service rules, union contracts, or local ordinances.   It is preferable to avoid getting fired than to sue after the fact. 

We Know How Illinois Government Works

Navigating the City of Chicago's personnel rules, state merit systems, or a union CBA isn’t easy — but we’ve done it successfully for years. In Illinois, municipalities can operate under several forms of government. We know how these bureaucracies function and what they’ll do to justify bad decisions. Whether you’re still employed and want to preserve your job, or you’ve been wrongfully terminated, our firm is ready to help.