In a striking case of alleged employment retaliation, a former police sergeant claims he was terminated for standing up against racial discrimination. On March 14, 2025, William Sanchez filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Village of Orland Park and several individuals, including George Koczwara, Eric Rossi, Brian West, and Jimmy Lee. Sanchez alleges that his dismissal from the Orland Park Police Department was an act of retaliation after he reported discriminatory practices.
The story begins with William Sanchez's career as a sergeant in the Orland Park Police Department. He believed that his race played a role in being denied a promotion to lieutenant. As a Hispanic Latino, Sanchez suspected racial bias when he noticed that all previous Traffic Safety Unit supervisors were Caucasian and either entered or were promoted to lieutenant—a rank he never achieved despite his expectations. His suspicions grew when he observed discriminatory attitudes within the department and learned about racially insensitive incidents involving other officers who faced no repercussions.
Sanchez took action by voicing his concerns to Chief of Police Eric Rossi on May 19, 2023. Despite initial reluctance to formalize his complaint due to fear of backlash, Sanchez filed charges with both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). The Village's response was swift; they initiated what Sanchez describes as a "sham investigation" led by Jimmy Lee from Gold Shield Detective Agency. The investigation concluded with findings unfavorable to Sanchez while labeling his complaints as "unfounded."
The situation escalated when Defendant Brian West accused Sanchez and others of creating a hostile work environment through their complaints. The subsequent report prepared by Lee dismissed allegations against West but sustained those against Sanchez, leading to his termination on February 28, 2024. This decision came despite an arbitrator later ruling that there was no just cause for Sanchez's discharge and ordering reinstatement—a directive the Village has yet to honor.
Sanchez is seeking comprehensive relief from the court, including reinstatement with back pay and benefits lost due to his termination. He also seeks punitive damages against individual defendants for their reckless disregard for his rights under Title VII and Section 1981 of U.S.C., which protect employees from discrimination based on race or ethnicity.
Representing William Sanchez are attorneys Christopher J. Wilmes and Justin Tresnowski from Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym Ltd., while Arbitrator James Dworkin presided over related proceedings. The case is identified as Case No. 1:25-cv-02691.