DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The case involving a Decatur community college is being escalated to a federal office one year post-investigation, a significant advancement according to lawyers.

WCIA reported last month that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found “reasonable cause” to believe Jennifer Reichart, a former Richland Community College employee, was terminated due to her gender and for probing into discriminatory actions by Richland’s President, Dr. Cristobal Valdez.

The change is the agency now leading the investigation. The EEOC just forwarded the case to the Department of Justice.

Reichart was employed by Richland in 2022 as the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and served as the Title IX coordinator. She alleges discrimination for challenging Valdez’s “retaliatory conduct” and voicing concerns about the mistreatment of women.

Reichart’s lawyer, David Fish, said the EEOC has been trying to facilitate an agreement between both parties but were not able to.

“Dr. Reichart primarily wants the retaliation to cease,” Fish stated. “She desires Richland to be a workplace devoid of harassment threats, where individuals can express concerns freely, and she hopes this changes the current environment.”

Fish said only 3% of these cases are sent to the DOJ.

Fish mentioned uncertainty regarding when the case will commence due to the government shutdown. However, he assured the case would be filed within the forthcoming 90 days. WCIA contacted Richland Community College and its board but has yet to receive a response.