Post-SRO Claims Process

Violations of the Employment Plan Not Involving Unlawful Political Discrimination or Political Contacts. If you are an employee with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds (“Recorder”) and become aware of or feel that there has been a violation of the Recorder’s Employment Plan or Policy Manual in connection with any employment decision by the Recorder you may refer the complaint to the Director of Compliance (“DOC”).

Alexis Serio
Director of Compliance
DOC Hotline (confidential and anonymous if desired)
(312) 603-5082
alexis.serio@cookcountyil.gov

Violations Involving Unlawful Political Discrimination or Unlawful Political Contacts. If you believe that you were subjected to unlawful political discrimination in connection with an employment decision with the Recorder you may seek relief for the alleged unlawful political discrimination as described below:

“Employment decision” includes, but is not limited to, any decision involving hiring, firing, promotion, job assignment, transfer, disciplinary action and overtime.

“Unlawful political discrimination” means the making of any employment decision by the Recorder because of any political reason or factor such as an individual’s political affliction, political support or activity, political financial contribution, promises of such political support, activity or financial contributions, or political sponsorship or recommendations.

If you believe that you were a victim of unlawful discrimination in connection with any employment decision by the Recorder, and you elect to use the specific Post-SRO Complaint Process and the Post-SRO Arbitration Procedure established by the SRO in order to pursue possible remedies for alleged political discrimination you must submit a POST-SRO Compliant Form to the Inspector General to participate in the Post- SRO Arbitration Procedure.
Signed and notarized claims should be sent to:

Drew Jester
Cook County Office of the Inspector General
69 W. Washington St., Suite 1160
Chicago, IL  60602-3007

The POST-SRO Compliant Form must be received by the Inspector General or be post-marked by a United States Post Office within 180 days after you knew or should have known of the alleged unlawful conduct. The Inspector General will investigate all timely submitted Post-SRO Complaints.

Instructions for Completing the POST-SRO Compliant Form
Post-SRO Complaint Forms should include as much detail as possible about your claim that you were a victim of unlawful political discrimination in connection with any aspect of employment with the Recorder.

If you submit a POST-SRO Compliant Form, you must attach any supporting documentation in your possession to the POST-SRO Compliant Form. This includes documentation supporting any damages claim. However, a lack of documentation will not bar a claim.

The POST-SRO Compliant Form and these instructions should not be construed as legal device. The Recorder Compliance Administrator is not able to provide legal advice about whether you should pursue any remedies under the SRO or in a court of law. Class Counsel are not able to provide you with legal advice about whether you should file a claim. If you wish to file a Post-SRO Complaint, you may consult with a lawyer of your choice about whether to submit a Post-SRO Compliant to the Inspector General.

Class Counsel recommend that you send your completed Post- SRO Complaint Form to the Inspector General via certified mail, return receipt requested, and keep a copy of the Form and of any documents that are sent with them.
Submitting a POST-SRO Compliant Form does not guarantee you any relief.