Messina v. City of Chicago

Plaintiff, James Messina, appeals the dismissal of his suit to challenge his discharge as a probationary employee in the Chicago department of public works. We affirm as to count II, reverse as to count I, and remand this cause for further proceedings.

Plaintiff began working for the city of Chicago as a bricklayer for the department of public works more than 10 years ago, on July 27, 1973. In its 1984 annual appropriation ordinance, the Chicago city council reclassified plaintiff from a departmental employment service employee to a probationary career-services employee. Plaintiff was to serve…