The Illinois Republican Party announced the launch of its online Countdown Clock this week, which highlights the upcoming trial of U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Dist. 8) over a whistleblower incident.
The lawsuit revolves around Duckworth's 2007 attempt to fire Christine Butler, who worked at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna, and alleged retaliatory actions against whistleblower Denise Goins, a human resources secretary. The whistleblowers reported incidents of abuse and misconduct against veterans. Duckworth was head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs at the time of the alleged retaliation against the two state employees.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Dist. 8)
| Contributed photo
Union County Judge Mark Boie ruled against Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office in May and ordered that the workplace-retaliation lawsuit against Duckworth go to trial. The state's lawyers had argued that Duckworth's actions against 22-year employee Butler were due to her insubordination and not for her actions as a whistleblower.
The Countdown Clock can be viewed here. It will be promoted on social media until the trial begins in August.
"Illinois voters deserve answers from Congresswoman Duckworth," Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Nick Klitzing said. "She's been dodging questions about her firing of whistleblowers for 9 years, but on August 15th, Duckworth won't be able to hide from the scandal any longer. Will she stay silent for the next 60 days like she has for the last 9 years?"
The trial is set to commence on Aug. 15 in Union County Circuit Court.
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