In May 2023, Sergeant William Sanchez, a 19-year veteran of the Orland Park Police Department, alleged racial discrimination after being denied a promotion to lieutenant. He filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Subsequently, in March 2024, Sanchez was terminated for purported misconduct related to these complaints. An arbitrator later found the termination unjust and ordered his reinstatement. Sanchez has since filed a lawsuit against the village and department leaders, seeking reinstatement, back pay, and unspecified damages. ([chicago.suntimes.com](https://chicago.suntimes.com/suburban-chicago/2025/03/17/lawsuits-accuse-orland-park-police-officials-of-retaliatory-firing-civil-rights-violations?utm_source=openai))
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