WORKPLACE BULLIES 

A former Sangamon County court assistant is pushing for action on workplace bullying in Springfi eld. Autumn Tibbs of Springfi eld says she was fi red from her job in 2012 for supporting a judge that her boss, Sangamon County Chief Judge Leslie Graves, didn’t like. Tibbs is suing Graves, another court employee, and the Administrative Offi ce of the Illinois Courts over her dismissal, and the lawsuit is currently in the evidence gathering stage. Now Tibbs, who has joined the group Illinois Healthy Workplace Advocates, wants the Sangamon County Board and Springfi eld City Council to pass resolutions condemning bullying in the workplace. Tibbs spoke before the city council on Tuesday but wasn’t allowed to address the county board last week. The resolution declares Oct. 20 through 26 to be “Freedom From Workplace Bullies Week.” The informal holiday would feature training and activities meant to prevent abusive workplace environments. IHWA, the anti-bullying group, is also pushing the Illinois General Assembly to pass a bill regarding workplace bullying. The bill passed the Senate in 2010 but has died in the House twice.