Judge Denied Evanston Motion in Discrimination Suit
A federal judge allowed Sarah Jones' lawsuit against the Evanston Police Department to proceed to the next stage.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall denied the city of Evanston's motion to dismiss a discrimination lawsuit filed by former police records supervisor Sarah Jones. The court noted evidence suggesting that the city's stated reasons for firing Jones in 2024 may have been pretextual.
Why it matters
The ruling signifies that the case has sufficient merit to move forward, as the court found grounds to suggest the internal investigation leading to Jones' termination was a mask for racial bias. Jones alleges she was targeted for discipline after reporting a subordinate who held ties to the police chief.
Judge Kendall ruled against the city on September 28, 2026, finding sufficient cause to proceed with the discrimination claims. The lawsuit remains active as the city defends its 2024 termination of Jones following a forensic search of her digital devices.
The players
Sarah Jones
She is the former records supervisor at the Evanston Police Department who filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city.
Virginia Kendall
She is the U.S. District Judge who presided over the motion to dismiss in the discrimination case against the city of Evanston.
Schenita Stewart
She has served as the Evanston Police Chief since 2022 and is referenced in the lawsuit regarding departmental disciplinary policies.
The details
Jones, who worked at the Evanston Police Department from 2005 until 2024, claims she was fired for attempting to discipline a subordinate. The city maintains the termination followed an investigation that reviewed forensic evidence from her phone and computer dating back to 2018.
Timeline
Sarah Jones began working for the Evanston Police Department in 2005.
The city's forensic search of digital records dates back to 2018.
Schenita Stewart became the Evanston Police Chief in 2022.
Sarah Jones was terminated by the city in March 2024.
Judge Kendall ruled on the motion to dismiss on September 28, 2026.
Legal Context
The lawsuit challenges municipal employment practices under the standards established by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The court's decision to allow the suit to proceed reflects the rigorous evidentiary standards required by federal law to prove that employment actions were motivated by discriminatory intent rather than neutral policy enforcement.
The ongoing litigation could bring increased scrutiny to the hiring and disciplinary policies of the Evanston Police Department. Residents may see further developments regarding municipal accountability as the court examines the internal investigations of the city's agencies.
The takeaway
The court's refusal to dismiss the case highlights the importance of transparent disciplinary procedures within public institutions. Employees and employers alike should ensure that internal investigations are documented clearly to withstand potential legal challenges regarding motive.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight and municipal proceedings in the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Legal Newsline.
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