Taylor v. The Board of Education of the City of Chicago

Assistant principal sued for retaliatory discharge and violation of Illinois Whistleblower Act, claiming he was discharged and subjected to ongoing retaliation by Board of Education for reporting act of alleged abuse of student by special education teacher. Jury award of $1,000,500.00. Board rules are sufficiently clear to establish employment for a set term: contract term of principal; and Board rules indicate that Plaintiff's employment was not at-will. Thus, Plaintiff was not an at-will employee, and Board chose to not renew his contract. Retaliatory discharge tort applies only to at-will employees and not to employees whose contractual term of employment is not renewed. Retaliatory discharge verdict reversed, but remanded for damages under Whistleblower Act.(CONNORS and CUNNINGHAM, concurring.)