Joliet police officer recommended for firing has retired

A Joliet police officer who was recommended by the police chief to be fired decided to retire last month, a city official said.

Officer Lionel Allen retired Aug. 8, Joliet Human Resources Director Kathy Franson said. Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner recommended in January that Allen and former officer Brian Nagra be dismissed.

Nagra resigned July 5 and he was later charged in Kendall County with official misconduct and felony theft.

Roechner’s recommendations for both officers to be fired were pending before the Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners until they either resigned or retired.

Allen’s salary in 2018 was $174,613, according to the city’s website.

Allen has a pending federal lawsuit against the city of Joliet and several police officials, including former police chief Brian Benton.

Allen, who is black, claimed in the lawsuit that other officers racially discriminated against him. He also alleged he endured retaliation after speaking out against another officer’s racism. City officials have denied Allen’s allegations.

A status hearing in the case is Friday, according to federal court records.