Ousted DuSable Museum VP Alleges Retaliation in Whistleblower Lawsuit

"Two months after accusing Chicago's DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center of misappropriating public funds and other offenses, Kim Dulaney, its former vice president of education and programs, has filed a whistleblower and retaliatory discharge lawsuit. Dulaney filed a complaint with the Cook County Circuit Court on December 1, alleging wrongful termination following her repeated criticisms of the museum's operations under CEO and president Perri Irmer. The lawsuit was first reported by Chicago-based news outlet the Triibe."

"Dulaney, who had served as vice president of education and programs since 2022, was terminated on October 3 by Irmer, who described the dismissal as part of institutional restructuring. According to a statement from Dulaney's legal team, in the year leading up to her firing, she had repeatedly flagged concerns to Dusable's HR "regarding alleged misuse of restricted funds, improper financial practices, and workplace misconduct to DuSable leadership, its Board of Directors, and multiple government agencies.""

"The lawsuit accuses Irmier and the museum of violating the Illinois Whistleblower Act and of retaliatory discharge, and seeks reinstatement, back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, civil penalties under the Illinois Whistleblower Act, as well as attorney fees. Additionally, it seeks injunctive relief, meaning a court order that would prevent the museum from committing further alleged violations. In a statement made to Chicago Crusader, the museum said,"

Kim Dulaney filed a whistleblower and retaliatory discharge lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court on December 1, claiming wrongful termination after repeated criticisms of museum operations under CEO Perri Irmer. Dulaney alleges she had repeatedly flagged concerns to DuSable's HR about alleged misuse of restricted funds, improper financial practices, and workplace misconduct in the year before her October 3 termination. The complaint accuses Irmer and the museum of violating the Illinois Whistleblower Act and seeks reinstatement, back and front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, civil penalties, attorney fees, and injunctive relief to bar further alleged violations. The museum called the allegations outrageous and categorically false and affirmed strict financial controls, audits, and oversight.

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