The Appellate Court held that the judgment was not against manifest weight of evidence. The Appellate Court reasoned that the Department had retaliated against Wynn under Ethics Act's definition of "retaliation", which includes change in terms or conditions of employment. Further, the Ethics Act covers contract employees. Finally, as nonrenewal of a contract is an "adverse employment action" under Title VII, nonrenewal is a retaliatory action. Thus, the judgment was affirmed.