Bless v. Cook County Sheriff’s Office

Plaintiff filed an administrative review action challenging his firing from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The initial review was conducted by a federal judge, who vacated one of three findings made by the Cook County Sheriff’s Merit Commission and remanded so that the board could determine if there was still cause for the termination. The board concluded that there was, and plaintiff sought review of that decision by the state court and also argued that the federal ruling restored the status quo ante, which would entitle him to back pay and benefits that accrued during the federal proceedings. The state trial court rejected the plaintiff’s claims and he appealed. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the board properly determined cause existed to discharge plaintiff from his employment and that the board’s decision to terminate the plaintiff was not arbitrary, unreasonable, or unrelated to the requirements of service where plaintiff was accused of misconduct calling his honesty into question. (ELLIS and COBBS, concurring)