Thomas R. Angeli, a 37-year-old officer with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), was arrested on Sunday and placed on administrative leave. Angeli faces charges for having an expired FOID card and possessing a firearm.
The situation began on July 25 when Angeli was put on administrative leave due to comments he made on a Facebook post. According to the IDOC, they became aware of Angeli’s social media activity and initiated an internal investigation. In their statement, they said, “The Department has been made aware of social media posting on Facebook made earlier today. The Department is conducting an internal investigation. CO Angeli has been advised of his administrative leave, effective immediately.”
The IDOC emphasized their commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and made it clear that Angeli’s comments do not reflect the department’s values. They stated, “The Illinois Department of Corrections is a multicultural agency deeply committed to ensuring diversity, equality, and inclusion. We want to be clear: the comments made by this individual do not reflect the principles and standards of the Department.”
They also issued an apology to those affected by Angeli’s remarks and reaffirmed their dedication to creating an inclusive environment. “We apologize to anyone affected by these remarks and reaffirm our commitment to upholding policies and practices conducive to eliminating all forms of exclusion, including, but not limited to, racism, ageism, ableism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, and religious oppression,” the IDOC said. “We will continue to educate and engage our team on the importance of environments where all feel valued, respected, and included.”
The department has stated that there will be no further comments on the matter as the investigation continues.
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This incident highlights the ongoing challenges that organizations face regarding employees’ social media conduct and the importance of maintaining professional standards. It also underscores the IDOC’s commitment to addressing issues that contradict their core values and principles. As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial for the department to ensure that their actions align with their stated commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
