Filed Date: April 13, 2006
Closed Date: 2009
Clearinghouse coding complete
On April 13, 2006, the Chicago District Office of the EEOC brought this suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The plaintiff sued Ceisel Masonry under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 42 U.S. Code § 1981. The plaintiffs, representing named Hispanic employees of Ceisel Masonry and a class of other Hispanic employees of Ceisel Masonry, asked the court for injunctive relief enjoining the defendant from discriminating against employees based on national origin, and monetary relief to compensate for losses. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant had created a hostile work environment. Specifically, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant had engaged in unlawful employment practices in harassing Hispanic employees and retaliating against these employees when they complained.
The parties engaged in discovery for the next two years. In August of 2008, both parties filed motions for partial summary judgment.
On January 23, 2009, Judge Harry D. Leinenweber denied all motions. He held that an issue of fact remained as to harassment; an employer's foreman did not act act as a supervisor creating liability for the employer; and the defendants assertion of a positive defense that employee had failed to take preventive or corrective measures could not be decided by summary judgment. 594 F.Supp.2d 1018 (N.D.Ill. 2009).
On May 22, 2009 the Honorable Harry D. Leinenweber approved a consent decree between the two parties. Specifically, the decree ordered an injunction enjoining harassment based on national origin and an injunction enjoining retaliation against persons who complain about violations of Title VII or Section 1981. The decree also ordered Ceisel Masonry to implement anti-harassment and anti-discriminatory policies, training, supervisory accountability systems, postings of notice, record keeping, and reporting. The decree ordered $500,000 in monetary damages to class members and a total of $220,000 for the three named employee complainants.
Summary Authors
Kevin Wilemon (7/30/2008)
Gabriela Hybel (11/7/2016)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5479304/parties/equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-ceisel-masonry-inc/
Gochanour, Gregory M. (Illinois)
Hendrickson, John C. (Illinois)
Alikhan, Saira Janine (Illinois)
Bruch, Julie A. (Illinois)
Kliebard, Kenneth Michael (Illinois)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5479304/equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-ceisel-masonry-inc/
Last updated Aug. 13, 2025, 12:03 p.m.
State / Territory: Illinois
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 13, 2006
Closing Date: 2009
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Ceisel Masonry, Inc. (Northbrook, IL), Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Develop anti-discrimination policy
Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law
Amount Defendant Pays: 860,000
Order Duration: 2009 - 2012
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination Basis:
National origin discrimination
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Affected Race(s):
EEOC-centric: