Hinsdale Keeps Discrimination Complaint Secret

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale last week decided to keep secret a discrimination complaint filed by the estate of a firefighter who took her own life.

Earlier this month, Patch requested the complaint filed by the estate of Nicole Hladik with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The 25-year-old Hladik, a Lyons Township High School graduate, died in July 2020.

In denying release of the documents, the village cited two exceptions under the state's Freedom of Information Act. One exception was for "pending or actually and reasonably contemplated law enforcement proceedings" by police. The village's letter to Patch indicated the exception was for information interfering with a "pending investigation."

The denial also mentions the possibility of a trial. An exemption under the records law allows documents to be withheld if they would create a "substantial" likelihood that a person would be deprived of a fair trial.

Late last year, the village paid an independent law firm more than $100,000 to investigate what a village official said were "operational issues." The village declined to release the firm's report upon Patch's records request.

Two weeks ago, Patch reported on the estate's lawsuit against the village, saying Hladik was the victim of gender discrimination. In response to further Patch inquiries, the village said in a statement that the law firm's investigation revealed Hladik was treated in a "respectful and fair" manner.

The village has given no indication that a law enforcement investigation is taking place related to Hladik's death or the village's treatment of her. But the village's response is a sign such an inquiry is pending or likely to take place.

As for interfering with a person's right to a fair trial, the exception under the law is meant for someone charged criminally. It does not involve trials for civil lawsuits, such as the Hladik estate's against the village.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, the village is required to provide a "detailed factual basis" for any exception allowing secrecy. The village did not do so.

The village also may not have listed all the names and titles of those responsible for the denial. Village Clerk Christine Bruton signed the denial letter, although it's unclear whether she made the decision alone.

Last week, Patch requested the factual basis and a list of the names. The news outlet left a message with Brad Bloom, the village's assistant village manager and public safety director. He is out of the office through the rest of the week.

Hladik's lawsuit named the village and fire Lt. Tom McCarthy as defendants.

According to the lawsuit, Hladik wrote shortly before her death, "Work has destroyed me" and "I cannot take one more single day. Almost everyone at work will only be relieved." The lawsuit said she added, "P.S. You're welcome Lieutenant, I'm gone. I'm no longer your problem. You win."