Former HR Administrator in Danville Initiates Legal Action Against City and Mayor

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DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A long-serving former employee of the city, with a tenure spanning approximately 35 years, has initiated legal proceedings against Danville and its mayor. She claims her dismissal was unjust and that she faced discrimination.

Prior to her termination in February, Sandra Finch held the role of Human Relations Administrator for Danville. Her responsibilities included managing employee relations, addressing discrimination grievances, and looking into housing and discrimination-related issues.

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The legal complaint, filed last month, traces the origins of the conflict to September 2024.

The document states, “In 2024, Finch discovered and reported a scenario involving a Danville landlord allegedly retaliating against a tenant concerning a housing or code enforcement issue. Finch escalated this matter through the proper channels, asserting that the landlord’s actions infringed upon the tenant’s rights and possibly breached relevant laws or regulations.”

Finch then sought help from Land of Lincoln Legal Aid and communicated with State Representative Brandun Schweitzer’s office.

In January 2025, the city became aware that Finch continued to assist the tenant after the city closed the file. Then, the lawsuit alleges that Mayor Williams accused Finch of misconduct on Feb. 3, 2025 for not “clocking in and out” at exactly 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. as required. A day later, Finch was fired without “progressive discipline, prior warning, and/or being given an opportunity to correct any alleged issue.”

Finch alleges that the reason given for her termination was false. Instead, Finch said the timekeeping issues were used as a way to fire her in retaliation for her whistleblowing activities and/ or due to discrimination.

“The swiftness and severity of this action were unprecedented for someone in [Finch’s] position as a department head, especially given the trivial nature of the purported offense. No other discipline options such as conciliation or reprimand were considered,” the lawsuit reads.

The counts in the lawsuit allege retaliatory discharge, violation of the Illinois Whistleblower’s Act, and racial and age discrimination in violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Finch is asking for compensatory damages, back pay, front pay, pre-judgement interest, lost future wages and future pecuniary damages. She’s also seeking to either be reinstated to her former position or a comparable position in the city.

Finch is asking for a jury trial.

The City of Danville declined to comment on the lawsuit, as they do not comment on ongoing litigation.

WCIA also reached out to Finch’s representatives for comment, but did not immediately receive a response back.

Finch also filed a Charge of Discrimination against Danville with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in May, 2025. In June, Finch received a “Notice of Opt-Out,” which means that the investigation was “administratively closed.” This allowed her to start the legal process through the Circuit Court.

WCIA reached out the IDHR to learn more but did not immediately receive a response back.