Dion McNeal, who is a communication specialist with the health department, said in an email that we received that he has been removed from some roles, including sending out written materials for the public.
The email had his official signature and was sent to other area media outlets–including Cities 92.9– and the McLean County Board of Health as well.
He said he was notified by the Public Health Emergency Operation Center that his administrative duties were suspended until further notice.
In his email to the media, he says:
“It has been brought to my attention that I am no longer “trusted,” to handle public-facing activities and documentation because, “the statement in the ‘Guidance to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 At Protests, Rallies, & Mass Gatherings,’ does not represent the voice of the health department or Board of Health.”
The statement in that specific press release being referred to is:
“Racism and police brutality are forms of trauma that many of our community members experience. Witnessing this trauma repeatedly affects emotional, physical, and mental health, especially for those in communities of color. Check-up on friends, family, and your community, as well as checking in with yourself. Health people, healthy places.”
McNeal noted:
“It was shared with me that documents for media briefings were not completed in a timely fashion. I find this correlation of the release and the events that I will identify in this letter as targeting,”
McNeal notes in the email that he is ‘the only black voice in a leadership capacity at the health department.’
The health department tells us that they don’t comment on employee matters but they do say the county is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace, and is examining all employee concerns.
READ MCNEAL’S FULL EMAIL STATEMENT:
