In the case of Robert Bless versus Cook County Sheriff's Office and Cook County Sheriff's Merit Board, filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, First Judicial District under case ID 2021-CH-05831 on March 5, 2024, the plaintiff appeals against his dismissal from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The merit board found cause to fire Bless based on evidence indicating that he violated departmental rules and lied to investigators about his misconduct.
Bless served as a police officer with the Sheriff’s Office from 1996 until his termination in 2013. His dismissal followed an administrative review action in 2020 by a federal judge who vacated one of three findings that led to his firing. However, the board confirmed that firing was warranted, effective from 2011. Bless also sought $1.04 million in “back pay and benefits” that accrued during the federal proceedings.
Bless had secondary employment as a private attorney and as a county commissioner during his time at the Sheriff's Office. He sustained serious injuries in a car accident in September 2008 which placed him on injured-on-duty (IOD) status and granted him worker’s compensation temporary total disability benefits. Despite being advised not to drive due to his injuries, Bless was found to have been driving hundreds of miles for his work as a McHenry County commissioner.
The plaintiff is seeking review of the board’s remand decision and contends that he is entitled to $1.04 million in back pay and benefits.