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Illinois University Faces Legal Action Over Racial Hiring Practices Following Professor’s Dismissal

Illinois University Faces Legal Action Over Racial Hiring Practices Following Professor’s Dismissal

The University of Illinois Chicago is embroiled in a lawsuit concerning its race-based hiring policies. A former professor alleges that he faced illegal retaliation for opposing these controversial practices.

Professor Stephen Kleinschmit, who served as a clinical associate professor in the Department of Public Policy, Management and Analytics, had his contract terminated in August 2023.

In a legal complaint filed in federal court by the Liberty Justice Center, Kleinschmit contends he was dismissed for voicing concerns regarding the allegedly unlawful nature of a new recruitment program at the university, which prioritized candidates’ race, gender, and sexual orientation in hiring decisions.

Concerns Grow Over Discriminatory Recruitment Strategies

Kleinschmit’s discomfort began in late 2019 during meetings focused on the candidate search for UIC’s