Case: Yarbrough v. City of Peoria

1:24-cv-01246 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois

Filed Date: July 11, 2024

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a class action lawsuit filed against the city of Peoria, Illinois, alleging that the city failed to maintain accessible sidewalks for disabled individuals. A group of disabled residents in Peoria claim that because the City has been and is a public entity within the meaning of Title II of the ADA and has received and does receive federal financial assistance and is there for a covered entity within the meaning of the Rehabilitation Act, then the City must provide Named Plaintiffs and al…

This is a class action lawsuit filed against the city of Peoria, Illinois, alleging that the city failed to maintain accessible sidewalks for disabled individuals. A group of disabled residents in Peoria claim that because the City has been and is a public entity within the meaning of Title II of the ADA and has received and does receive federal financial assistance and is there for a covered entity within the meaning of the Rehabilitation Act, then the City must provide Named Plaintiffs and all other persons with mobility disabilities access to its public facilities, programs, services, and activities. And, as things stand currently, the City denies these individuals meaningful access to its neighborhoods, recreational resources, government facilities, schools, transportation, places of worship, retail centers and business establishments through its pedestrian system.

On July 11, 2024, the plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and all other similarly situated individuals, represented by their attorneys from Hughes, Socol, Piers, Resnick & Dym, Ltd., Carl F. Reardon, Esq. and Jim Rochford & Associates, filed a complaint in the Central District of Illinois, before Hon. Micheal Martin Mihm. The suit was brought against the City of Peoria, City Manager, and City Councilmembers in their official capacity. The plaintiffs cited violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The plaintiffs sought preliminary injunction and a permanent injunction, prohibiting Defendants from violating Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and compelling Defendant to undertake remedial measures to mitigate the effects of Defendants’ past and ongoing violations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and regulations promulgated thereunder; appointment of a monitor to verify the Defendants’ compliance with the ordered injunctive relief, reporting the City’s progress to the Court and all parties every three months; and an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the Named Plaintiffs’ and class members.

As of September 11, 2024, Defendant’s motion for extension of time in which to answer Plaintiff’s Complaint was granted.

This case remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Claire Pollard (10/16/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68936195/parties/yarbrough-v-city-of-peoria-illinois-a-municipal-corporation/


Judge(s)

Mihm, Michael Martin (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Gougis, Nina Rena (Illinois)

Reardon, Carl F (Illinois)

Rochford, James Michael (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Kapustka, Chrissie Lynn (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:24-cv-01246

Docket 24-cv-01246

Yarbrough et al v. City of Peoria

Sept. 11, 2024

Sept. 11, 2024

Docket
1

1:24-cv-01246

Class Complaint

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68936195/yarbrough-v-city-of-peoria-illinois-a-municipal-corporation/

Last updated Aug. 7, 2025, 10:36 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Rita Ali, Andre W. Allen, City of Peoria, Illinois, a municipal corporation, Denis Cyr, Dr. Bernice Gordon-Young, Charles V. Grayeb, Denise Jackson, John L. Kelly, Zachary M. Oyler, Timothy Riggenbach, Patrick Urich, Dr. Kiran Velpula, Michael P. Vespa ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILCDC-4515267.), filed by Chris Mitchell, Donald Yarbrough, Willie Anderson.(Sender, Jennifer) (Entered: 07/11/2024)

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024

RECAP
2

Exhibit CIVIL COVER SHEET by Willie Anderson, Chris Mitchell, Donald Yarbrough. (Sender, Jennifer) (Entered: 07/11/2024)

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024

PACER
3

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Jennifer M. Sender on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Sender, Jennifer) (Entered: 07/11/2024)

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024

PACER
4

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Carl F Reardon on behalf of Willie Anderson, Chris Mitchell, Donald Yarbrough. (JS) (Entered: 07/12/2024)

July 12, 2024

July 12, 2024

PACER
5

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Nina Rena Gougis on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Gougis, Nina) (Entered: 07/18/2024)

July 18, 2024

July 18, 2024

PACER
6

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by James Michael Rochford on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Rochford, James) (Entered: 07/18/2024)

July 18, 2024

July 18, 2024

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by James Michael Rochford on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Rochford, James) (Entered: 07/18/2024)

July 18, 2024

July 18, 2024

PACER
8

CERTIFICATE OF INTEREST pursuant to Local Rule 11.3 by Willie Anderson, Chris Mitchell, Donald Yarbrough. (Rochford, James) (Entered: 07/18/2024)

July 18, 2024

July 18, 2024

PACER
9

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Nina Rena Gougis on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Gougis, Nina) (Entered: 07/18/2024)

July 18, 2024

July 18, 2024

PACER
10

CERTIFICATE OF INTEREST pursuant to Local Rule 11.3 Amended by Willie Anderson, Chris Mitchell, Donald Yarbrough. (Gougis, Nina) (Entered: 07/18/2024)

July 18, 2024

July 18, 2024

PACER
11

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Chris Mitchell, Donald Yarbrough, Willie Anderson. Michael P. Vespa waiver sent on 7/19/2024, answer due 9/17/2024. (Sender, Jennifer) (Entered: 08/21/2024)

Aug. 21, 2024

Aug. 21, 2024

PACER
12

NOTICE of Appearance of Attorney by Chrissie Lynn Kapustka on behalf of All Defendants (Kapustka, Chrissie) (Entered: 09/03/2024)

Sept. 3, 2024

Sept. 3, 2024

PACER
13

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by Defendants Rita Ali, Andre W. Allen, City of Peoria, Illinois, a municipal corporation, Denis Cyr, Dr. Bernice Gordon-Young, Charles V. Grayeb, Denise Jackson, John L. Kelly, Zachary M. Oyler, Timothy Riggenbach, Patrick Urich, Dr. Kiran Velpula, Michael P. Vespa. Responses due by 9/24/2024 (Kapustka, Chrissie) (Entered: 09/10/2024)

Sept. 10, 2024

Sept. 10, 2024

PACER
14

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Chris Mitchell, Donald Yarbrough, Willie Anderson. All Defendants. (Sender, Jennifer) (Entered: 09/11/2024)

Sept. 11, 2024

Sept. 11, 2024

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 11, 2024

Sept. 11, 2024

PACER

TEXT ORDER granting 13 AGREED Motion for Extension of Time in which to Answer Plaintiff's re 1 Complaint. All Defendants to file their responsive pleading by 12/2/2024. Entered by Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley on 9/11/24. (WG)

Sept. 11, 2024

Sept. 11, 2024

PACER

Order Removing JEH as MJ Re DJ Hawley Apt

Nov. 17, 2024

Nov. 17, 2024

PACER

TEXT ORDER entered by Chief Judge Sara Darrow on 11/17/2024. Due to Judge Jonathan E. Hawley's confirmation as a District Judge, this case is no longer referred to Judge Jonathan E. Hawley. Any previously scheduled hearings are reset before the presiding judge.

Nov. 17, 2024

Nov. 17, 2024

PACER
15

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer Plaintiffs' Complaint by Defendant City of Peoria, Illinois, a municipal corporation. Responses due by 12/10/2024 (Kapustka, Chrissie) (Entered: 11/26/2024)

Nov. 26, 2024

Nov. 26, 2024

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Nov. 26, 2024

Nov. 26, 2024

PACER

TEXT ORDER: Granting 15 Defendants' Second Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Plaintiffs' Complaint. Defendants' now have until 03/03/2025 to file their responsive pleading. Entered by Judge Michael M. Mihm on 11/26/2024. (DW)

Nov. 26, 2024

Nov. 26, 2024

PACER
16

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer Plaintiffs' Complaint by Defendants Rita Ali, Andre W. Allen, City of Peoria, Illinois, a municipal corporation, Denis Cyr, Dr. Bernice Gordon-Young, Charles V. Grayeb, Denise Jackson, John L. Kelly, Zachary M. Oyler, Timothy Riggenbach, Patrick Urich, Dr. Kiran Velpula, Michael P. Vespa. Responses due by 3/17/2025 (Kapustka, Chrissie) (Entered: 03/03/2025)

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

PACER

Order AND Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

March 4, 2025

March 4, 2025

PACER

TEXT ORDER: Granting 16 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Plaintiff's Complaint. Finding good cause shown, Defendants' now have until 6/2/2025 to file their responsive pleading. Entered by Judge Michael M. Mihm on 3/4/2025. (SB)

March 4, 2025

March 4, 2025

PACER
17

NOTICE of Change of Address by Jennifer M. Sender (Sender, Jennifer) (Entered: 03/11/2025)

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

PACER

Order Assigning Referral Judge

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

PACER
18

Answer to Complaint

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

PACER

Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

PACER
19

Vacate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

PACER

1 - Terminate Deadlines and Hearings AND Order AND Order on Motion to Vacate AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

PACER
20

Amended Complaint

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
21

Leave to File Document

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

PACER
22

Strike

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

PACER

Order AND Order on Motion for Leave to File AND Order on Motion to Strike

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

PACER
23

Amended Complaint

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

PACER
24

Answer to Amended Complaint

Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

PACER

Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 11, 2024

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

PENDING class: Residents of the City of Peoria with a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

City of Peoria, Illinois (Peoria), City

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. § 701

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Non-settlement Outcome

Any published opinion

U.S. Supreme Court merits opinion

Findings Letter/Report

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Access to public accommodations - governmental

Access to public accommodations - privately owned

Government services

Disability and Disability Rights:

Cerebral palsy

Disability, unspecified

Mobility impairment

Sidewalks