Calumet City Ald. Monet Wilson to sue TTHS D205 alleging district violated her civil rights over football camp

Ald. Monet S. Wilson of Calumet City’s 2nd Ward said she would sue the Thornton Township High School 205 School board during its July 8 meeting, saying it violated her civil rights after she was allegedly denied entry to a youth football camp at Thornton.

The district planned a free football and cheerleading camp for students in partnership with the Reach 4 The Sky Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides summer athletic opportunities targeting youth ages 6 to 14.

But the camp was ultimately cancelled. Wilson and Ebony Rucker, Reach 4 The Sky President Keith Rucker’s niece, provided differing narratives as to why during the meeting. Wilson alleged that president Nina Graham barred Wilson’s family from the camp and that she would sue the board in response. 

Ebony Rucker, a district employee, took to the podium during public participation first to give a statement on behalf of The Reach 4 The Sky Foundation. Foundation president Keith Rucker decided to cancel the camp to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest and protect the integrity of both the foundation and district, she said.

The foundation “is an independent not-for-profit that organizes and operates without any political agenda or political affiliation,” Ebony said. After the foundation created a video to promote the camp, “that video was then taken and edited to produce other people to be a part of this video, and make it seem like there was some partnership…there was not,” Ebony said.

She added the organization is not part of any litigation or legal disputes. “We remain grateful to District 205 for its openness and partnership with the organization that seeks to positively impact young people, and we look forward to the opportunity to work together to serve the community in the future,” Ebony said.

As of July 10, Reach 4 the Sky’s website displayed a pop-up that said, “The Chicago camp scheduled for July 11 and 12, unfortunately has to be CANCELLED as the location has informed us that they are unable to host the camp.”

Wilson then took to the podium to provide her account. She has sent her children to their camps for years and befriended the organizers. Wilson then created a video highlighting the foundation, which Keith Rucker shared online, she said.

Wilson alleged that on a phone call with Keith Rucker, Graham said, “You can have the camp, but alderwoman Wilson cannot attend; she is doing this for political purposes.”

Wilson said that blocking her family from entering the camp violates their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and that she would sue the board. She also expressed reservations over sending her eighth grade son to Thornton Township High School. “How do I entrust you all with my son if a woman I’ve never met has so much disdain for me that she would cancel a free camp because I was going to be in attendance?” she asked. 

“I am demanding that this council force Nina Graham to resign,” said Wilson.

Graham said that the camp would take place as planned on Saturday, July 11, facilitated by a Southland-based Developing Our Youth. Beyond that, Graham offered no further comment on the matter. 

Developing Our Youth’s leadership board includes former Harvey planning director LaTonya Rufus as its chief operating officer and former mayor Eric J. Kellogg in an educational consultant capacity. 

Father’s Day Gifts from Charters Youth Commission

During public participation, Felita Crayton offered a belated Father’s Day greeting to the board on behalf of the Charters Youth Commission. “Fathers do not get the appreciation that they deserve,” Crayton said. She gifted socks that read “Happy Father’s Day” to the fathers in the room.