Perri Irmer, president of Chicago’s DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, has filed a 15-page response seeking dismissal of a whistleblower lawsuit brought by former vice president of education and programs Kim Dulaney. Dulaney alleges she was fired in October 2023 after reporting misuse of restricted funds, improper financial practices, and workplace misconduct, including that only $600–$700 of a $5,000 University of Chicago grant was used for Juneteenth children’s programming. Irmer’s attorneys argue Dulaney failed to meet the Illinois Whistleblower Act’s requirement that she refuse to participate in the alleged unlawful conduct, and that her claims lack specific factual details. The museum has separately filed a 24-page response denying the allegations.
This case matters because it raises serious questions about financial accountability and governance at a major cultural institution dedicated to Black history. The outcome could affect public trust in the DuSable Museum, which receives government and philanthropic funding, and may set a precedent for how whistleblower claims are handled in the nonprofit museum sector. The lawsuit also highlights broader issues of fund mismanagement and workplace retaliation in arts organizations.