Metra Faces Lawsuit Of Racial Discrimination Against Employees

CHICAGO (CBS) – A group of African-American Metra police officers are suing the transit agency.

They said they were singled out for discipline, where white officers got off with an insignificant punishment.

CBS 2’s Dorothy Tucker has more on their allegations in an original report.

“I was fired for insubordination in early May 2015.”

All because David Lee, a former Metra Police officer decided to give a homeless woman a pass and not arrest her for trespassing.

“They said you should have locked her up,” Lee said.

They, according to Lee, are his former Metra bosses who concluded he violated police. He said he did not.

“I explained she had a circuit card,” Lee said. “Which means she is not a trespasser and she was not disrupting service.”

“It was excessively punitive,” said Jill Willis, Lee’s attorney, on behalf of the men along with eight other African American Metra police officers, she has filed this federal lawsuit, accusing Metra of racial discrimination.

“It appears to be a pattern of trying to reduce African American employment base in order to bring in younger white and Hispanic officers,” Willis said.

A patter, Willis said, began a couple of years ago and according to suit, blacks are denied promotions, unjustly terminated and unfairly disciplined while, “white officers charged with serious disciplinary issues ae given the option to resign.”

“I was fired for taking a class to be promoted.”

Larry Geanes worked at the agency 19 years and took a class to become a detective. He said he was fired because he did not get permission for taking the class, but he claims that rule was implemented after his termination.

“I’m very hurt. I’m angry,” Geanes said. “We are just treated unfairly. Discipline is metered out unfairly.”

CBS 2 reached out to Metra. Their response: “We vehemently deny these allegations of racism and discrimination. This lawsuit from current and former police officers, most of whom were justifiably disciplined for dishonesty or negligence in the performance of their duties, has absolutely no merit. We will relentlessly contest these allegations in a court of law and are confident we will prevail.”

Attorneys for the police officers say they have yet to hear from Metra.

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Trump Cancels Planned Milwaukee Economic Speech

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump canceled an expected speech on the economy in Milwaukee on Thursday, without saying why or if he will reschedule. The visit would have been one of his first outside of Washington as president.

Tech. Sgt. Meghan Skrepenski with the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Air National Guard in Milwaukee confirmed Tuesday that the visit had been canceled. She said she had no information on why it was called off.

When the White House announced on Monday that Trump planned to come to Wisconsin, a group called the Milwaukee Coalition Against Trump quickly organized a protest. According to its Facebook page, by late Tuesday afternoon 1,200 people were planning to attend a protest with another 4,500 interested.

Gov. Scott Walker’s spokesman, Tom Evenson, said he didn’t have any information about why the trip was not happening. Walker met with Trump in the White House on Saturday and is close with his chief of staff Reince Priebus, who previously was head of the Wisconsin Republican Party.

Walker is the head of the Republican Governors Association and a former rival of Trump’s for the GOP presidential nomination, later got behind Trump as the GOP nominee.

Trump was expected to give a speech on the economy during the Wisconsin stop. Trump is the first Republican presidential candidate to win Wisconsin since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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ComEd Sends Out Fliers After Employee’s Daughter Goes Missing

CHICAGO (CBS) — For the first time, ComEd is sending out missing person’s fliers in customers’ monthly billings and grabbing the attention of 3.8 million people.

One case hits close to home. CBS 2’s Suzanne Le Mignot has an original report.

“She just went for a walk and she didn’t make it home. Never made it home.”

Shantinel Laws remembers Aug. 17, 2015 as the day her 24-year-old daughter, Jerrica Lizette Laws vanished without a trace.

“My neighbors saw her the day of her disappearance,” Laws said. “But they didn’t see her return.”

Park Forest Police Deputy Paul Morache said Jerrica was not your typical 24-year old.

“She was more of a stay-at-home person and a church going person,” Dep. Morache said.

Jerrica had gone for her regular afternoon walk her neighborhood of Park Forest.

When she did not return, Shantinel Laws’ ComEd co-workers took part in searches, to find Jerrica. The CEO, even called, Shantinel.

“She reassured me, if there’s anything that she could do, she was available and I could reach out to her,” Laws said.

That is when she thought about enclosing this flier about her daughter’s disappearance, with each ComEd customers’ bill.

“One of the things people will say is this is something ComEd is doing with other people’s money and this is ComEd’s money, that we’re using to leverage this,” said Melissa Washington, ComEd VP External Affairs. “Shareholder money. It’s the shareholders that are footing the bill for this.”

This is the first time ComEd has ever enclosed fliers with customers’ bills.

“We were really inspired because, not just that it was the right thing to do, but this was affecting a co-worker, which is essentially a family member, when you think about the amount of time that we spend together,” Washington said.

“Everyone has been so supportive,” Laws said. “I just want her home and I love her.”

Laws’ simple request could soon affect other families with missing loved ones. ComEd is now looking at collaborating with missing persons organizations to include other cases, in bill mail outs.

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Chicago FBI Honors Community Activist Andrew Holmes

CHICAGO (CBS) — If there’s a crime scene, a missing child or an unsolved murder, Andrew Holmes is likely there. He’s a familiar face within Chicago’s most crime ridden neighborhoods. He even lost his own daughter to gun violence in August 2015.

Now, he’s being honored with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership award for his life long activism. WBBM’s Lisa Fielding reports.

“This year, Mr. Andrew Holmes was selected for this award by the FBI’s Chicago Division for his dedication and leadership in local communities that has helped law enforcement combat violent crime throughout the Chicago area,” said Michael J Anderson, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago FBI.

Holmes said he continues to bridge the gap between the police and the community they serve.

Andrew Holmes with his FBI Director’s Community Leadership award (WBBM/Lisa Fielding)

“We have a lot of progress that is working but at the same time, we still have a lot who are slipping through the cracks,” said Holmes. “I’m grateful for this award and I’m going to take this honor for those who have lost their lives not only in the city of Chicago, but across the United States. I just want the community to come together, end this gun violence, work with the Chicago Police Department and the FBI, which is trying to work with the community to stop this. I’m waiting for this to sink in.”

Holmes will officially receive his award from FBI Director James comey on April 28.

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Bears Get Up-Close Look At TE Jeremy Sprinkle, Who Addresses Character Questions Head On

By Chris Emma–

(CBS) Embarrassment sank through Arkansas tight end Jeremy Sprinkle immediately after the great mistake that ended his collegiate career.

One month later, it’s still there. Sprinkle is trying to salvage his reputation.

Sprinkle was suspended for what would’ve been the final game of his career, the Belk Bowl, when he was arrested for shoplifting eight items worth $260 dollars from a Belk store in December, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. Members of the Arkansas and Virginia Tech football team were given $450 to spend as part of their bowl game package. He took more than allotted.

Such a mistake was out of character, Sprinkle has been telling teams in advance of the NFL Draft. Sprinkle understands his stock will hurt if he’s not open about the error in judgement.

“Just being up front and honest with them, telling them the story about what happened,” Sprinkle said. “That’s really all I can do. (Teams) understand it was out of my character to do that. They’re pretty understanding about it.”

Sprinkle began his attempt to prove himself last week in Mobile, Alabama, participating with the North team at the Senior Bowl.

The 6-foot-6, 256-pound Sprinkle is a monster in the open field, a dangerous threat for any NFL offense. He views himself as a mismatch in the passing game who “can stick my nose in there and block” too.

“I’m trying to prove I’m an all-around tight end,” Sprinkle said.

The Bears got an up-close look at Sprinkle during their North team workouts at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, and they got the advantage no other team could in Mobile, getting to see Sprinkle behind the scenes too.

Coach John Fox spoke of the benefits to seeing players in meeting rooms, getting to know them over dinner and receiving a better glance at character. All of that could make Sprinkle a more draftable player in their mind.

Chicago could be looking for a tight end in the middle rounds to create a tandem alongside veteran Zach Miller. The Bears could be looking at Sprinkle on their board.

In addition to the character fit, the Bears saw how Sprinkle fits into their offense, which he pointed out was similar to his system at Arkansas.

“I feel like it’s a good opportunity, just learning the plays and things,” Sprinkle said of playing for the Bears last week.

Alabama standout O.J. Howard proved to be the best tight end at the Senior Bowl and one of the top overall players. He appears to be the top tight end in the draft class and could go in the middle or late first round. His abilities would fit just about any team.

On the other hand, Sprinkle has seen his stock fall to the middle rounds, and his character questions may drop him to Day 3. Perhaps the breakout rookie season of former Razorbacks tight end Hunter Henry could benefit Sprinkle.

The Bears saw Sprinkle’s talents as a tight end and and had a glimpse at his character up close. Now, Sprinkle is ready to move past his lapse of judgement and prove himself in the league

“I’m just trying to get past it and show (the NFL) who I really am,” he said, “show them it was out of my character.”

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

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Chicago’s Soldier Field Will Host MLS All-Star Game

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago’s Soldier Field will host this year’s Major League Soccer All-Star game, the league announced Tuesday.

Chicago will get a kick out of this: Mayor Emanuel announces MLS All-Star Game at Soldier Field on Aug. 2, 2017. http://pic.twitter.com/PPyWa7nAGL

— Derrick Blakley (@BlakleyCBS2) January 31, 2017

The match on Aug. 2 will feature the MLS All-Stars against an international team that has not been named yet. The Chicago Fire, who play at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, will host the event.

It is the first time in six years that the game will not be played at an MLS home venue. The 2010 All-Star game was played at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Fire owner Andrew Hauptman and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended a press conference Tuesday announcing the game.

The Fire, embarking on its 20th year, previously hosted the All-Star game at Toyota Park against Chelsea in 2006. Fire Coach Veljko Paunovic will manage the MLS All-Stars.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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White Sox Preaching Patience At Every Level

(CBS) While it’s still late January, White Sox director of player development Chris Getz already knows where he’s going to be spending much of his time in 2017.

Charlotte, home of the the Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox. As Chicago has embarked on a rebuild, some of its top young talent — including second baseman Yoan Moncada and likely right-hander Lucas Giolito — will open the season at Triple-A. As they do, Getz plans on being around Charlotte plenty, and the White Sox will have a keen eye on when it’s time to move their prospects along to the next level.

Past that, what’s the key? Patience, Getz reminded. That’s a point general manager Rick Hahn kept making over the weekend at SoxFest and one that’s a refrain throughout the organization.

“It’s something we’re all going to have to get behind and be open and transparent as possible,” Getz said Tuesday on the Spiegel and Parkins Show on 670 The Score. “It’s going to be a process. You’re going to have to be patient with things. Some guys are going to perform right away, some aren’t. Some of these guys may not even pan out. We hope they do, but it’s just kind of the reality of the whole deal. That’s why we need to continue to develop, continue to draft well. We need to continue to show up every day and get better.”

“It’s a very tight pyramid at the top, and if you’re not continually trying to be competitive and getting better in all different areas, you’re going to have a tough time at long-standing success.”

Listen to Getz’s full interview below.

Chris Getz on the Spiegel and Parkins Show

670 The Score

playpause

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