'Girlfriend' Remark Prompts Elmhurst Complaint: Records

ELMHURST, IL – A resident in Elmhurst School District 205 contended he was the victim of discrimination because he did not have a girlfriend.

Last week, the school board voted unanimously to deny the man's complaint.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the grievance and the board's response to it.

According to the complaint, the resident noted a comment during a closed session of the board on April 23, 2019. He said an unidentified man in the meeting personally attacked him, saying someone should "find (me) a girlfriend."

The resident said the statement discriminated against him on the basis of sex and perceived relationship and marital status.

The statement, the resident said, implied that single male constituents "deserve respect only when we 'find a girlfriend.'"

"The statement has a chilling effect on the public's enjoyment of school board meetings," potentially violating state and federal civil rights laws, the resident said.

The complaint was filed in November.

In its response, the school board referred to the unidentified speaker during the meeting as a "school board member, district employee or district attorney."

The matter was investigated by Luke Pavone, assistant superintendent for human resources. The district said it found insufficient evidence to back up the claim.

Even if true, the school board said, the statement would not have violated any rights.

"Women are equally able to have a girlfriend, including homosexual women and transgender women," the board said in the statement. "There is no special protection under the law for people who do not have a girlfriend."

Late last year, the closed session on April 23, 2019, drew attention for another reason.

In November, the attorney general found the board illegally closed the doors for a discussion about the district's fight with the city of Elmhurst.

In response to the attorney general, the board released a portion of the closed session recording and minutes.

In the half-hour meeting, then-Superintendent Dave Moyer called the city "a jerk" and accused it of "shenanigans." Board members could be heard agreeing.

The session was just before new board members took office following an election.

The closed session was the second time in three years that the attorney general found the board violated the Open Meetings Act.

In both instances, the attorney general was prompted by complaints filed by Edgar Pal, a citizen watchdog who lived in Elmhurst but later moved to Chicago.