Overview
- Kelly Tarrant filed suit Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court accusing the CPS Board of firing her in retaliation for her investigative work.
- The complaint says supervisors curbed “politically sensitive” probes, including one involving a Local School Council member who serves as Ald. Gilbert Villegas’ chief of staff.
- She alleges she found self-dealing, questionable contracts and misuse of public funds by principals, employees and vendors.
- According to her attorneys, CPS suspended her in June, removed her from payroll and benefits, and later presented a severance agreement she refused.
- The suit invokes the Illinois Whistleblower Act and alleges race and age discrimination, states at least one probe was later closed, and notes CPS declined to comment.