MARION, Ill. (AP) — A southern Illinois police officer who filed a racial discrimination complaint against his employer after he was denied a promotion has been elected to the Marion City Council. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that Sgt. Angelo Hightower plans to keep his police job despite a legal opinion from the Marion city attorney that he would have to step down if elected. Hightower was sworn into office Monday night. The city’s first black police officer says he won’t pursue the federal complaint unless he is forced to leave the police department in order to remain on the council. He also says he won’t pursue the promotion to lieutenant that he failed to receive. Marion’s mayor says the city may seek a court ruling on Hightower’s employment status.

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