PAXTON, Ill. (WAND) - The Paxton City Council voted Tuesday evening to censure one of its members.
The council passed a resolution that not only censures Alderman Robert Pacey but demands his resignation.
The resolution cited pending lawsuits in Ford County involving Pacey's employment at Paxton-Buckley-Loda Schools. The resolution said the three lawsuits accuse Pacey of "inappropriate contact and/or interactions with minors at Alderman Pacey's place of employment."
The resolution also noted a Title IX complaint levied against Pacey in March.
WAND News reported in August that a Title IX investigation by a consultant hired by the district found no violation had occurred.
Pacey has not been criminally charged in Ford County, according to a search of his name in online court records.
WAND News left a message with an attorney listed as representing Pacey but have not heard back. Pacey has denied in previous investigations that he never made sexual contact with students.
WAND News has not named Pacey in previous reporting due to a lack of criminal charges. But Pacey's censure Tuesday happened in an open, public meeting.
The lawsuits against Pacey accuse him of inappropriately touching several female students over a span of more than ten years. The lawsuits also accuse the school district of not taking complaints seriously and delaying any reporting to DCFS.
The council resolution also stated Pacey has attended only two meetings since March. And it noted that one of the meetings he attended caused a disruption.
Illinois law does not allow the council to remove Pacey from his elected position, except through a lengthy referendum process.
The resolution also noted that Pacey has not given any indication he plans to resign his position. Council said his continued attendance at meetings would likely disrupt council business and threaten the "orderly and efficient conduct of the City's affairs."
Pacey was elected to a four-year term in 2023.
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