chicagonow News

Chicago NOW criticizes Commissioner Brooks

March 5, 2025

BY FRAN SPIELMAN AND FRANK MAIN Staff Reporters

Female aldermen criticized Chicago Fire Commissioner John Brooks on Friday for his “intemperate” and “insensitive” response to an underling’s allegation of sexual harassment.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday on the underling’s accusations that Brooks called her repeatedly, came on to her sexually and targeted her for a layoff when she refused his advances. Office of Compliance chief Anthony Boswell — suspended for allegedly killing a different harassment case — is accused of shelving an investigation into Brooks, too.

Brooks acknowledged placing the calls, but denied propositioning or attempting to punish the woman.

Read the full story here

chicagonow Blog

Sen. Al Franken Succeeds in Passing an Amendment to Protect Victims of Sexual Assault!

A female employee of Halliburton/KBR was gang raped by her co-workers in Baghdad and then locked in a shipping container when she attempted to report the crime. She was allowed to return home due to intervention by her US Representative, Ted Poe. However, due to a clause in her Halliburton/KBR contract, she was unable to face her rapists in court. The contract forced her to settle the matter out of court in arbitration.

Thankfully, Junior Senator Al Franken was paying attention! He proposed and has now passed Senate Amendment 2588 which prohibits government contractors from forcing employees to resolve legal matters in arbitration.

Senate Amendment 2588 passed on a vote of 68-30. Read the text here.