Ex-Elgin officer fights termination

The attorney for a former Elgin police officer fired last month after making Facebook posts said he's fighting the decision.

Attorney Timothy O'Neil said a grievance was filed regarding the Sept. 29 decision by the Elgin Police Department to fire Jason Lentz, a 17-year police veteran. Grievances can be filed by the police union within 14 days.

"Of course I am fighting his termination - it was illegal," O'Neil said. He did not respond to requests for further comment.

Lentz, 40, was fired after he was found guilty of engaging in "conduct that would undermine the credibility of the city or employees," police said. He also was found in violation of the department's social media policy.

Lentz and Elgin police union President Jonathan Cox did not respond to requests for comment. Elgin City Manager Sean Stegall declined to comment.

Lentz's Facebook posts, which dated to August 2013, appeared to have racial connotations.

A more recent post said Missouri police Officer Darren Wilson "did society a favor" when he shot and killed unarmed teenager Michael Brown in August 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A grand jury is reviewing that case.

Members of the police department read the Facebook posts dating back to August 2013 and an internal investigation was launched in late August, leading to Lentz's termination.