Supreme Court rejects Chicago State's lawsuit appeal

CHICAGO (AP) - The Illinois Supreme Court has denied Chicago State University's appeal of the awarding of more than $3 million to a former administrator in a whistleblower case.

A Cook County jury in 2014 found that James Crowley was fired for turning over former university president Wayne Watson's employment records to a faculty member under the state's open records law, and for exposing questionable university contracts.

The jury awarded Crowley $2 million in damages, $480,000 in back pay, which was doubled, and lawyer fees. The Illinois Appellate Court upheld the decision in March.

The university claimed Crowley wasn't fired in retaliation but for misusing school money to pay for parking and directing scholarship money to friends.

Crowley's attorney, Anthony Pinelli, said Wednesday the Supreme Court's decision affirms Crowley was treated illegally. The university didn't respond to requests for comment.