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IL Warden Properly Fired for Being a Republican

In 2005, Mark Pierson, warden at Pickneyville Correctional Center in Illinois, was fired by the incumbent Governor, Rod Blagojevich, who was a Democrat. Pierson was fired because he was a Republican appointee. Pierson sued for wrongful termination in federal district court. That court denied Blagojevich?s motion for judgment on the pleadings.

On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit found that since part of Pierson?s duties was policy making, his political affiliation was a proper basis for termination. The case was reversed and remanded with instructions to grant Blagojevich?s motion for judgment on the pleadings. See: Pierson v. Blagojevich, 437 F.3d 587 (7th Cir. 2006).

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Related legal case

Pierson v. Blagojevich