You’re fired! Um, well, maybe, or not

Two down, eight to go in Cahokia — but then there’s the federal lawsuit.

Former Cahokia Mayor Gary Cornwell used his final days in office to hand out a few liquor licenses and promote some of his people, including two sewer department employees. It was within his power and was approved by the former trustees, but it was still bad form.

New Mayor Curtis McCall Jr. begins May 1, 2015, and set about cleaning house. He fires 10 of the folks from Cornwell’s administration, including one of the 11th-hour sewer hires, Montuelle Prater, who also campaigned for Cornwell.

All 10 filed grievances and are suing in federal court for wrongful termination. Prater’s case is the first to be ruled on by an arbitrator, and he won. Joi Fuller, a water department clerk, also just won and there are more to be heard this month.

What are the odds McCall is about to see another eight losses? What are the odds that the federal suit will get pricey for Cahokia taxpayers?

That arbitration-federal suit combination has Madison County reeling with Treasurer Kurt Prenzler’s decision to eliminate a position occupied by a disabled employee potentially carrying a $1 million price tag. The fear is that Cahokia, too, could face some big legal bills and awards, times 10.

There can be a hefty price tag on that new broom if it sweeps clean, especially if the documentation and due process were lacking.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "You’re fired! Um, well, maybe, or not."