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COOK COUNTY RECORD

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Former Board Member Alleges Defamation Against Superintendent

State Court
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Honorable Maria M. Barlow, Appellate Court Justice District 1 | https://www.facebook.com/

A contentious legal battle involving allegations of defamation and civil conspiracy has been dismissed by the Illinois Appellate Court. Claudia Medina, a former elected member of the Board of Education of Proviso Township High School District 209, filed the complaint against Dr. James L. Henderson and Rodney Alexander on September 12, 2024, in Cook County Circuit Court.

The dispute began when Medina requested detailed financial information from Dr. Henderson shortly after his appointment as Superintendent in July 2020. This led to escalating tensions between Medina and both Henderson and Alexander, culminating in her removal from her position as Vice President of the Board on September 16, 2020. Medina claimed that both defendants made defamatory statements about her abilities and integrity as a board member. She alleged that Alexander publicly called her a liar and questioned her fulfillment of duties, while Henderson allegedly stated she was not capable of performing her role.

Medina's initial complaint filed on May 11, 2021, included claims for defamation per se, false light, and civil conspiracy against multiple parties including Proviso Township High School District 209. However, this complaint was dismissed without prejudice on September 13, 2021. Subsequent amended complaints narrowed the focus to Henderson and Alexander but were also dismissed by the court.

In her second amended complaint filed on June 8, 2022, Medina reiterated her claims but added a count of defamation per quod against Alexander. The circuit court dismissed this complaint with prejudice on December 16, 2022. On appeal, Medina argued that the trial court erred in its dismissal by failing to recognize the defamatory nature of the statements made by Henderson and Alexander.

The appellate court reviewed whether Medina's allegations met the legal standards for defamation under Illinois law. To establish defamation per se, a statement must be obviously harmful to one's reputation without needing additional context or proof of damage. The court found that neither defendant's statements could reasonably be interpreted as factual assertions rather than opinions protected under constitutional free speech principles.

Medina also failed to substantiate her claim for defamation per quod because she did not specify which statements were defamatory or provide evidence of special damages—a necessary component for such claims. Her assertion that she lost business at her school was deemed insufficiently specific.

Additionally, Medina's false light claim failed because it relied on the same unsuccessful defamation arguments. A false light claim requires showing that a person was placed in an offensive false light before the public with actual malice—criteria unmet due to lack of actionable defamatory statements.

Finally, Medina's civil conspiracy claim was invalidated due to the failure of underlying tort claims (defamation and false light). Without proving an overt act in furtherance of an unlawful purpose or means by any conspirator, this claim could not stand.

Medina’s attempt to disqualify defendants' counsel based on conflict of interest was also waived as it had not been raised during trial proceedings.

Representing Claudia Medina is Attorney [Plaintiff’s Lawyer], while Dr. James L. Henderson and Rodney Alexander are represented by [Defendants’ Lawyers]. The case was presided over by Judge Gerald Cleary under Case ID No. 1-23-0093.

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