Cook County Board chief of staff resigns amid allegation of 'inappropriate behavior'

COOK COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) -- Cook County Board Chief of Staff John Keller resigned from his position Tuesday night at the request of board president Toni Preckwinkle.

Preckwinkle said in a statement Wednesday that she became aware of an allegation that Keller "had engaged in inappropriate behavior on his personal time."

Preckwinkle said that Keller did not deny the allegation. As a result, she asked for his immediate resignation.

Her full statement follows:

As President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and as a woman, it is important to me to foster a workplace that is respectful, where all people are treated with dignity. I have always had zero tolerance for inappropriate and disrespectful behavior. On Friday, I became aware of an allegation that my Chief of Staff, John Keller, had engaged in inappropriate behavior on his personal time. The allegation was corroborated. I confronted Mr. Keller; he did not deny the allegation. Yesterday, I demanded and received his immediate resignation.