Hayes v. Board of Education of the City of Chicago

Plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging retaliation in violation of the First Amendment after her employment was terminated because she made public comments disparaging her employer. The district court denied the defendants’ motion for summary judgment and defendants appealed. The Seventh Circuit reversed, explaining that one of the defendants, the school district’s talent officer, was entitled to qualified immunity as a matter of law. The appellate court further concluded that the board of education was not a proper party to the appeal. (ELLIS and COBBS, concurring)