Judge Upholds $3-Million Award in Chicago State U. Whistle-Blower Case

An Illinois judge has denied the appeal of Chicago State University in a whistle-blower case that is set to cost the university $3-million, the Chicago Tribune reports.

In February a jury found that James Crowley, the university’s former senior legal counsel, had been fired for reporting misconduct by the university’s leadership. The jury awarded Mr. Crowley $2.5-million and ordered that he be given his job back. Later, Judge James P. McCarthy of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill., increased the award to $3-million.

The university appealed, calling the damages excessive. It also said the foreman of the jury had not disclosed that he had once been sued by a relative of a Chicago State trustee. But Judge McCarthy wrote in a 44-page opinion that he found no reason to overturn the verdict or reduce the damages.

“The public has been made aware of questionable misconduct at Chicago State University, and the public may hold the responsible officials accountable so as to deter any future misconduct,” Judge McCarthy wrote.