Williams v. Illinois Civil Service Commission

Plaintiff sought administrative review of his termination from employment with IDOT for throwing paper pick at co-worker. Circuit court reversed discharge and Civil Service Commission, on remand, ordered 90-day suspension. Original discharge decision was not unreasonable, as IDOT had written zero-tolerance rule against workplace violence, and employee could have made a non-reckless response to his frustration. Court improperly substituted its judgment for that of Commission, and failed to acknowledge gravity of misconduct by ordering discipline other than discharge. (LAVIN and STERBA, concurring.)