Case: WILFONG v. RENT A CENTER

3:00-cv-00680 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Aug. 30, 2000

Closed Date: 2006

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a quite complex case, connected to two others:In May 1999, the EEOC filed a lawsuit (EEOC v Rent-A-Center, No 99-2427-TU-V) in Memphis, Tennessee, charging that RAC, when it acquired a competitor named Rentronics, terminated female employees and refused to hire female applicants in Tennessee and Arkansas because of their sex. In 2000, female employees filed two cases. One was in Kansas City (MO), filed by two women who claimed individual bias, and ordered to mandatory arbitration by th…

This is a quite complex case, connected to two others:

In May 1999, the EEOC filed a lawsuit (EEOC v Rent-A-Center, No 99-2427-TU-V) in Memphis, Tennessee, charging that RAC, when it acquired a competitor named Rentronics, terminated female employees and refused to hire female applicants in Tennessee and Arkansas because of their sex.

In 2000, female employees filed two cases. One was in Kansas City (MO), filed by two women who claimed individual bias, and ordered to mandatory arbitration by the judge there. Bunch v. Rent-A-Center, 00-0364-CV-W-3. No class claims were part of the arbitration, which would have ended that case. In addition, in August 2000, 21 female employees, later joined by 6 others, filed a nationwide class action (Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center, No 00-680-DRH) in East St. Louis, Illinois, claiming that, after Renters Choice acquired 1,400 RAC stores and assumed the name of RAC, the new RAC systematically eliminated women from its workforce. The class complaint alleged that RAC: got rid of job classifications previously held by women; imposed an unfair weight-lifting requirement; harassed and unfairly disciplined female employees; assigned them cleaning and clerical duties; demoted and failed to promote them; refused to hire them; and either discharged them or forced them to resign.

The EEOC certified that the Illinois case is of general public importance and asked to intervene, which the District Court for the Southern District of Illinois allowed on May 14, 2001. With the support of the EEOC, the Wilfong private plaintiffs moved for certification of their case as a class action on November 1, 2001 and submitted over 300 sworn statements from discrimination victims and witnesses to support their motion.

Just one day before the submission of the class certification motion in the Illinois (Wilfong) case, in the Kansas City (Bunch) case, RAC and the two women submitted a proposed $12.2 million settlement that was designed to dispose of all claims by female employees and applicants all over the country, including those in the EEOC's Illinois and Tennessee cases. The Kansas City case had no class element going into arbitration. It seems that this settlement was entered by the district court, because the next thing we know is that the EEOC filed papers in front of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals opposing the Bunch class settlement. We don't know what happened to that motion -- whether it was granted, denied, or simply not ruled on. In any event, the parties of all the suits settled all three cases by the entry of a consent decree in the Illinois case in June 2002, which was ultimately approved in October 2002. The decree included non-discrimination and non-retaliation clauses, required the posting and distribution of a written Title VII policy, and required training of all employees on what constitutes sexual discrimination. Rent-A-Center also agreed to comply with hiring criteria, including advertising in venues targeted to female job applicants. The consent decree also called for the creation of the job of Vice President of Human Resources and the creation of a professional Human Resources department. The defendant agreed to provide quarterly reports to a third-party consultant, the class counsel and to the EEOC. The injunctive parts of the decree had a four-year term. In the event of non-compliance, the decree called for a non-court dispute resolution process, including the utilization of a special master, and court enforcement in case of ongoing dispute. In addition, the defendant agreed to pay $47,000,000 to the class, of which over $11,000,000 constituted compensation for fees and costs.

The decree was entered in 2002 and scheduled to last until 2006. No further docket entries exist, so the case is closed.

Summary Authors

Margo Schlanger (8/1/2008)

Clearinghouse (12/20/2018)

Related Cases

EEOC v. RENT-A-CENTER, INC., Western District of Tennessee (1999)

Bunch v. Rent-a-Center, Inc., Western District of Missouri (2000)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Baran, Andrea G. (Kansas)

Gusewelle, Anne E. (Missouri)

Attorney for Defendant

Dargene, Dan C (Texas)

Harper, Donna (Missouri)

Schlichter, Jerome J. (Missouri)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:00-cv-00680

Docket (PACER)

Wilfong v. Rent A Center Inc

Nov. 30, 2004

Nov. 30, 2004

Docket

EEOC Press Release: "EEOC Seeks to Join Nationwide Sex Discrimination Suit Against Rent-A-Center"

Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center

No Court

March 12, 2001

March 12, 2001

Press Release
46

3:00-cv-00680

Order [Regarding Plaintiffs' Motion to Compel]

Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center, Inc.

March 14, 2001

March 14, 2001

Order/Opinion

2001 WL 2001

92

3:00-cv-00680

Memorandum and Order denying motion to compel Arbitration

Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center

June 28, 2001

June 28, 2001

Order/Opinion
133

3:00-cv-00680

Order [Compelling Arbitration of Claims made by Plaintiff]

Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center Inc.

Sept. 13, 2001

Sept. 13, 2001

Order/Opinion
141

3:00-cv-00680

Memorandum and Order [Denying Motion to Compel Arbitration]

Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center Inc.

Oct. 19, 2001

Oct. 19, 2001

Order/Opinion
165

3:00-cv-00680

Order [Denying Motion to Compel Deposition]

Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center Inc.

Nov. 30, 2001

Nov. 30, 2001

Order/Opinion

EEOC OPPOSES SETTLEMENT OF RENT-A-CENTER LAWSUIT

Bunch v. Rent-a-Center

No Court

Dec. 13, 2001

Dec. 13, 2001

Press Release
182

3:00-cv-00680

Opinion [on class certification]

Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center

Dec. 27, 2001

Dec. 27, 2001

Order/Opinion

2001 WL 2001

EEOC Press Release: "EEOC Announces $47 Million Agreement in Principle to Settle Claims of Class-Wide Sex Bias Against Rent-A-Center"

Wilfong v. Rent-A-Center; EEOC v. Rent-A-Center

No Court

March 8, 2002

March 8, 2002

Press Release

Resources

Docket

Last updated Jan. 23, 2024, 3:02 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT (Summons(es) issued) Filing fee pd $ 150.00 receipt # 300 69509 (fe) (Entered: 08/31/2000)

Aug. 30, 2000

Aug. 30, 2000

Magistrate identification: Mag/Judge Gerald B. Cohn (fe) (Entered: 08/31/2000)

Aug. 30, 2000

Aug. 30, 2000

RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Rent A Center Inc on 8/31/00 (myz) (Entered: 09/06/2000)

Sept. 6, 2000

Sept. 6, 2000

2

ORIGINAL ANSWER by defendant Rent A Center Inc to [1−1] (acm) (Entered: 09/25/2000)

Sept. 20, 2000

Sept. 20, 2000

3

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc to transfer venue (case) under 28 USC 1440(a) (acm) (Entered: 09/25/2000)

Sept. 20, 2000

Sept. 20, 2000

4

MEMORANDUM by defendant Rent A Center Inc in support of motion to transfer venue (case) under 28 USC 1440(a) [3−1] (acm) (Entered: 09/25/2000)

Sept. 20, 2000

Sept. 20, 2000

5

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for attorney Larry M. Bauer to appear pro hac vice (tjh) (Entered: 10/06/2000)

Oct. 2, 2000

Oct. 2, 2000

6

ORDER (NGJ/dkb) granting motion for attorney Larry M. Bauer to appear pro hac vice [5−1] on behalf of Rent A Center Inc; $55.00 filing fee paid receipt #300 70220 (cc: all counsel) (tjh) (Entered: 10/06/2000)

Oct. 2, 2000

Oct. 2, 2000

7

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc to defer Local Rule 16.2(b) conference (dlr) (Entered: 10/13/2000)

Oct. 10, 2000

Oct. 10, 2000

8

CJRA Track C assigned by Judge David R. Herndon ; presumptive jury trial set for month of 2/02 before Judge David R. Herndon in the USDC/East St. Louis, IL (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 10/13/2000)

Oct. 10, 2000

Oct. 10, 2000

9

NOTICE of Sched/Disc Conf set for 8:30 AM on 11/14/00 before Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn in the USDC/East St. Louis, IL (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 10/13/2000)

Oct. 10, 2000

Oct. 10, 2000

10

RESPONSE by plaintiffs to motion to transfer venue (case) under 28 USC 1440(a) [3−1] (dlr) (Entered: 10/16/2000)

Oct. 10, 2000

Oct. 10, 2000

11

REQUEST (MOTION) by plaintiff for leave to file their amended class action complaint (dlr) (Entered: 10/16/2000)

Oct. 10, 2000

Oct. 10, 2000

12

REPLY by defendant Rent A Center Inc to response to motion to transfer venue (case) under 28 USC 1440(a) [3−1] (jmf) (Entered: 10/23/2000)

Oct. 17, 2000

Oct. 17, 2000

Proposed scheduling and discovery order by defendant Rent A Center Inc received and submitted to Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn (car) Modified on 10/18/2000 (Entered: 10/18/2000)

Oct. 18, 2000

Oct. 18, 2000

Proposed scheduling and discovery order by plaintiffs received and submitted to Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn (car) (Entered: 10/18/2000)

Oct. 18, 2000

Oct. 18, 2000

13

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn denying motion to defer Local Rule 16.2(b) conference [7−1] (cc: all counsel) (tjh) (Entered: 10/24/2000)

Oct. 18, 2000

Oct. 18, 2000

15

AMENDED CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT [1−1] by plaintiffs' Claudine Wilfong, Lisa Adams, Terry Blackburn, Lisa Chenelle, Toni Cohen, Marsha Cromwell, DeEllen Dickerson, Veronica Dropthmore, Kim Hammer, Mary Johnson, Karen Dueker Meyer, Dawn Pemberton, Hermanette Portis, Amy Pratt, Linda Sheattler, Michele Smith, Melanie Watson, Linda Wigger, Robin Yeubanks; adding Kathleen Liphart, Teia Malone (tjh) (Entered: 10/24/2000)

Oct. 18, 2000

Oct. 18, 2000

17

SCHEDULING AND DISCOVERY ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn ; the presumptive trial month of February, 2002, is hereby vacated; the Court will establish a new presumptive trial month at the case management conference to be held after the Court's ruling on the plaintiffs' motion for class certification; see order for specifics (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 11/14/2000)

Nov. 9, 2000

Nov. 9, 2000

18

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn setting settlement conf at 9:00 AM on 11/19/01 before Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn in the USDC/East St. Louis, IL (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 11/14/2000)

Nov. 9, 2000

Nov. 9, 2000

16

MEMORANDUM (BRIEF) by plaintiffs regarding proposed scheduling &discovery order [0−0] (myz) (Entered: 11/13/2000)

Nov. 13, 2000

Nov. 13, 2000

19

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for attorney Michael V. Abcarian to appear pro hac vice (dlr) (Entered: 11/22/2000)

Nov. 16, 2000

Nov. 16, 2000

20

ORDER (NGJ/car) granting motion for attorney Michael V. Abcarian to appear pro hac vice [19−1] for defendant; $55.00 fee paid by receipt #71154 (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 11/22/2000)

Nov. 16, 2000

Nov. 16, 2000

21

MEMORANDUM TO CLERK (ATTORNEY APPEARANCE) for defendant Rent A Center Inc by Larry M. Bauer and Michael V. Abcarian (dlr) (Entered: 11/28/2000)

Nov. 20, 2000

Nov. 20, 2000

22

ANSWER by defendant Rent A Center Inc to amended class action complaint [15−1] (tjh) (Entered: 11/28/2000)

Nov. 21, 2000

Nov. 21, 2000

189

RESPONSE by intervenor EEOC to Order of 1/3/02 [187−1] (dlr) (Entered: 01/10/2002)

Jan. 7, 2001

Jan. 7, 2001

23

JOINT REQUEST (MOTION) by plaintiffs, defendant to amend scheduling order (dlr) (Entered: 02/08/2001)

Feb. 2, 2001

Feb. 2, 2001

24

ORDER by Judge David R. Herndon denying motion to transfer venue (case) under 28 USC 1440(a) [3−1] (cc: all counsel) (fe) (Entered: 02/09/2001)

Feb. 6, 2001

Feb. 6, 2001

25

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn granting motion to amend scheduling order [23−1] (see order for specifics) (cc: all counsel) (myz) (Entered: 02/14/2001)

Feb. 9, 2001

Feb. 9, 2001

26

MOTION by plaintiffs' to compel defendant to respond to plaintiffs' first interrogatories and first request for production (fe) (Entered: 02/16/2001)

Feb. 13, 2001

Feb. 13, 2001

27

MOTION by plaintiffs' for leave to file memorandum in excess of 10 pages (fe) (Entered: 02/16/2001)

Feb. 13, 2001

Feb. 13, 2001

28

CERTIFICATE (SUPPLEMENT) by plaintiff re motion to compel defendant to respond to plaintiffs' first interrogatories and first request for production [26−1] (tjh) (Entered: 02/20/2001)

Feb. 13, 2001

Feb. 13, 2001

VOLUME NUMBER 2 created, beginning with document number 29. (dlr) (Entered: 02/23/2001)

Feb. 15, 2001

Feb. 15, 2001

29

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn granting motion for leave to file memorandum in excess of 10 pages [27−1] (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 02/23/2001)

Feb. 20, 2001

Feb. 20, 2001

30

MEMORANDUM by plaintiffs in support of motion to compel defendant to respond to plaintiffs' first interrogatories and first request for production [26−1] (dlr) (Entered: 02/23/2001)

Feb. 20, 2001

Feb. 20, 2001

32

REQUEST (MOTION) by defendant Rent A Center Inc to extend the deadline for filing expert reports (dlr) (Entered: 03/07/2001)

March 5, 2001

March 5, 2001

33

REQUEST (MOTION) by defendant Rent A Center Inc for leave to file it's response in opposition to plaintiffs' motion to compel in excess of 10 pages (dlr) (Entered: 03/07/2001)

March 5, 2001

March 5, 2001

34

MOTION by defendant for attorney Michael E. Coles to appear pro hac vice (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

35

ORDER (NGJ/rb) granting motion for attorney Michael E. Coles to appear pro hac vice [34−1] for defendant (cc: all counsel) $55.00 fee paid receipt #300 73292 (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

36

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for attorney Franklin Eastwood Wright to appear pro hac vice (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

37

ORDER (NGJ/rb) granting motion for attorney Franklin Eastwood Wright to appear pro hac vice [36−1] for defendant (cc: all counsel) $55.00 fee paid receipt #300 73290 (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

38

MOTION by defendant for attorney Lisa Winston Sorrell to appear pro hac vice (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

39

ORDER (NGJ/rb) granting motion for attorney Lisa Winston Sorrell to appear pro hac vice [38−1] for defendant (cc: all counsel) $55.00 fee paid receipt #300 73291 (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

40

MOTION by defendant for attorney Dan C. Dargene to appear pro hac vice (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

41

ORDER (NGJ/rb) granting motion for attorney Dan C. Dargene to appear pro hac vice [40−1] for defendant (cc: all counsel) $55.00 fee paid receipt #300 73289 (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

42

MOTION by defendant for attorney John D. Smart to appear pro hac vice (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

43

ORDER (NGJ/rb) granting motion for attorney John D. Smart to appear pro hac vice [42−1] for defendant (cc: all counsel) $55.00 fee paid receipt #300 73288 (dmw) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

44

MOTION by EEOC for leave to intervene (fe) (Entered: 03/16/2001)

March 12, 2001

March 12, 2001

45

MEMORANDUM by unknown EEOC in support of motion for leave to intervene [44−1] (fe) (Entered: 03/16/2001)

March 12, 2001

March 12, 2001

46

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn granting motion to compel defendant to respond to plaintiffs' first interrogatories and first request for production within 20 days of the date of this order [26−1] denying motion to extend the deadline for filing expert reports as moot [32−1], granting motion for leave to file it's response in opposition to plaintiffs' motion to compel in excess of 10 pages [33−1] (cc: all counsel) (fe) (Entered: 03/21/2001)

March 14, 2001

March 14, 2001

47

RESPONSE by defendant Rent A Center Inc in opposition to plaintiff's motion to compel [26−1] (fe) (Entered: 03/21/2001)

March 14, 2001

March 14, 2001

VOLUME NUMBER 3 created, beginning with document number 47. (scj) (Entered: 04/03/2001)

March 15, 2001

March 15, 2001

48

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant Rent A Center Inc by Kevin J. Lorenz (dlr) (Entered: 03/27/2001)

March 23, 2001

March 23, 2001

49

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant Rent A Center Inc by Thomas E. Berry Jr. (dlr) (Entered: 03/27/2001)

March 23, 2001

March 23, 2001

51

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for attorney Kevin J. Lorenz to appear pro hac vice (dlr) (Entered: 03/27/2001)

March 23, 2001

March 23, 2001

52

ORDER (NGJ/car) granting motion for attorney Kevin J. Lorenz to appear pro hac vice [51−1] for defendant Rent A Center Inc, granting motion for attorney Thomas E. Berry Jr to appear pro hac vice [50−1] for defendant Rent A Center Inc; $110.00 fee paid by receipt #73650 (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 03/27/2001)

March 23, 2001

March 23, 2001

53

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for extension of time to respond to the equal employment opportunity commission's motion for leave to intervene (dlr) (Entered: 03/27/2001)

March 26, 2001

March 26, 2001

54

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for extension of time to file a Motion for Reconsideration of Court's Order dated 3/14/01 (scj) Modified on 04/03/2001 (Entered: 04/02/2001)

March 27, 2001

March 27, 2001

61

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant Rent A Center Inc by John L. Gilbert (scj) (Entered: 04/03/2001)

March 27, 2001

March 27, 2001

55

RESPONSE by plaintiff Claudine Wilfong to Defendant's Motion for Extension of Time to file a Motion for Reconsideration of Court's 3/14/01 Order [54−1] and to Defendant's Motion for Extension of Time to respond to the EEOC's Motion for Leave to Intervene [53−1] (scj) (Entered: 04/02/2001)

March 28, 2001

March 28, 2001

56

ORDER by Judge David R. Herndon granting motion for extension of time to respond to the equal employment opportunity commission's motion for leave to intervene [53−1] until 4/27/01 (cc: all counsel) (scj) (Entered: 04/02/2001)

March 28, 2001

March 28, 2001

57

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc to stay Plaintiff Marsha Cromwell's claims and to compel Arbitration (scj) (Entered: 04/02/2001)

March 29, 2001

March 29, 2001

58

MEMORANDUM by defendant Rent A Center Inc in support of motion to stay Plaintiff Marsha Cromwell's claims [57−1] and of motion to compel Arbitration [57−2] (scj) (Entered: 04/02/2001)

March 29, 2001

March 29, 2001

59

REPLY by defendant Rent A Center Inc re Defendant's Motion for Extension of Time to File Its Motion for Reconsideration [54−1] (scj) (Entered: 04/02/2001)

March 30, 2001

March 30, 2001

60

MEMORANDUM by unknown EEOC in opposition to Defendant's motion for extension of time to respond to the equal employment opportunity commission's motion for leave to intervene [53−1] (scj) Modified on 04/03/2001 (Entered: 04/02/2001)

March 30, 2001

March 30, 2001

62

MOTION by plaintiffs' for leave to conduct communications pursuant to local rule 83.4(d)(2) and Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 4/2 (fe) (Entered: 04/03/2001)

March 30, 2001

March 30, 2001

63

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff in support of motion for leave to conduct communications pursuant to local rule 83.4(d)(2) and Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 4/2 [62−1] (fe) (Entered: 04/03/2001)

March 30, 2001

March 30, 2001

64

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn granting motion for extension of time to file a Motion for Reconsideration of Court's Order dated 3/14/01 [54−1] up to and including 4/13/01; the Court also extends the time for filing for reconsideration of the Magistrate Judge's Order disposing of the motion for reconsideration until ten days following issuance of that Order (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 04/04/2001)

April 4, 2001

April 4, 2001

65

REQUEST (MOTION) by defendant Rent A Center Inc for leave to file its motion to reconsider order dated 3/14/01 (fe) (Entered: 04/18/2001)

April 13, 2001

April 13, 2001

66

RESPONSE by defendant Rent A Center Inc to motion for leave to conduct communications pursuant to local rule 83.4(d)(2) and Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 4/2 [62−1] (fe) (Entered: 04/18/2001)

April 13, 2001

April 13, 2001

67

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn granting motion for leave to conduct communications [62−1] ... see order for details (cc: all counsel) (dmw) (Entered: 04/23/2001)

April 18, 2001

April 18, 2001

69

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn granting motion for leave to file its motion to reconsider order dated 3/14/01 [65−1] (cc: all counsel) (tjh) (Entered: 04/24/2001)

April 19, 2001

April 19, 2001

70

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for reconsideration of 3/14/01 order (tjh) (Entered: 04/24/2001)

April 19, 2001

April 19, 2001

71

REPLY by plaintiffs to response to motion for leave to conduct communications [62−1] (dlr) (Entered: 04/25/2001)

April 20, 2001

April 20, 2001

72

REQUEST (MOTION) by plaintiffs for additional time to respond to defendant's motion to stay and compel arbitration (dlr) (Entered: 04/25/2001)

April 20, 2001

April 20, 2001

73

MEMORANDUM by plaintiffs in opposition to motion for reconsideration of 3/14/01 order [70−1] (dlr) (Entered: 04/25/2001)

April 20, 2001

April 20, 2001

74

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for reconsideration of Order of 4/18/01 (dlr) (Entered: 04/26/2001)

April 23, 2001

April 23, 2001

75

RESPONSE in Opposition by defendant Rent A Center Inc to motion for leave to intervene [44−1] (scj) (Entered: 05/03/2001)

April 27, 2001

April 27, 2001

79

REPLY by intervenor EEOC in support of motion for leave to intervene [44−1] (myz) (Entered: 05/15/2001)

May 9, 2001

May 9, 2001

80

BRIEF (MEMORANDUM) by plaintiff in support of motion for leave to intervene [44−1] (scj) (Entered: 05/18/2001)

May 11, 2001

May 11, 2001

VOLUME NUMBER 4 created, beginning with document number 81. (dlr) (Entered: 07/03/2001)

May 12, 2001

May 12, 2001

76

ORDER by Judge David R. Herndon granting motion for additional time to respond to defendant's motion to stay and compel arbitration [72−1], motion to stay Plaintiff Marsha Cromwell's claims [57−1] resp due 5/18/01, motion to compel Arbitration [57−2] resp due 5/18/01 (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 05/14/2001)

May 14, 2001

May 14, 2001

77

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER by Judge David R. Herndon granting motion for leave to intervene [44−1] (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 05/14/2001)

May 14, 2001

May 14, 2001

78

INTERVENOR'S COMPLAINT by intervenor EEOC (dlr) (Entered: 05/14/2001)

May 14, 2001

May 14, 2001

81

RESPONSE by plaintiff in opposition to defendant's motion to stay and compel arbritration [57−1], to [57−2] (amv) (Entered: 05/21/2001)

May 14, 2001

May 14, 2001

83

REPLY by defendant Rent A Center Inc to response to motion to stay Plaintiff Marsha Cromwell's claims [57−1], motion to compel Arbitration [57−2] (scj) (Entered: 05/30/2001)

May 21, 2001

May 21, 2001

82

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn granting motion for reconsideration of Order of 4/18/01 [74−1], vacating Order of 4/18/01 [67−1], granting in part and denying in part motion for leave to conduct communications pursuant to local rule 83.4(d)(2) and Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 4/2 [62−1] (cc: all counsel) (dlr) Modified on 06/11/2001 (Entered: 05/22/2001)

May 22, 2001

May 22, 2001

84

ORDER by Mag Judge Gerald B. Cohn denying motion for reconsideration of 3/14/01 order [70−1] (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 06/05/2001)

May 29, 2001

May 29, 2001

85

ANSWER by defendant Rent A Center Inc to intervenor complaint [78−1] (dlr) (Entered: 06/08/2001)

June 4, 2001

June 4, 2001

86

REQUEST (MOTION) by plaintiffs for clarification of Order dated 5/22/01 (myz) (Entered: 06/08/2001)

June 5, 2001

June 5, 2001

87

MEMORANDUM by defendant Rent A Center Inc in opposition to motion for clarification of Order dated 5/22/01 [86−1] (dlr) (Entered: 06/25/2001)

June 15, 2001

June 15, 2001

88

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for reconsideration of Order dated 3/14/01 (dlr) Modified on 06/25/2001 (Entered: 06/25/2001)

June 15, 2001

June 15, 2001

90

MEMORANDUM by plaintiffs, intervenor in opposition to motion for reconsideration of Order dated 3/14/01 [88−1] (myz) (Entered: 06/29/2001)

June 22, 2001

June 22, 2001

91

REPLY by plaintiffs, intervenor to response to motion for clarification of Order dated 5/22/01 [86−1] (myz) (Entered: 06/29/2001)

June 22, 2001

June 22, 2001

92

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER by Judge David R. Herndon denying without prejudice motion to stay Plaintiff Marsha Cromwell's claims [57−1], denying motion to compel Arbitration [57−2] (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 07/03/2001)

June 28, 2001

June 28, 2001

93

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER by Judge David R. Herndon denying motion for oral argument [89−1], denying motion for reconsideration of Order dated 3/14/01 [88−1] (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 07/03/2001)

June 28, 2001

June 28, 2001

94

MOTION by plaintiffs to shorten time for responding (order) (dlr) (Entered: 07/12/2001)

July 11, 2001

July 11, 2001

95

MOTION by plaintiffs for sanctions (dlr) (Entered: 07/12/2001)

July 11, 2001

July 11, 2001

96

ORDER by Judge David R. Herndon granting motion to shorten time for responding (order) [94−1] motion for sanctions [95−1] resp due 7/17/01 (cc: all counsel) (dlr) (Entered: 07/13/2001)

July 12, 2001

July 12, 2001

97

MOTION by defendant Rent A Center Inc for leave to exceed page limitation re response in opposition to plaintiff's motion for sanctions (scj) Modified on 07/20/2001 (Entered: 07/19/2001)

July 17, 2001

July 17, 2001

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 30, 2000

Closing Date: 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

21 female employees of Rent A Center, filing on behalf of themeselves and similarly situated individuals, later joined by 6 more female employees and the EEOC

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

EEOC Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Rent A Center, Inc., Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: 47000000

Order Duration: 2002 - 2006

Content of Injunction:

Hire

Discrimination Prohibition

Retaliation Prohibition

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Utilize objective job description

Utilize objective hiring/promotion criteria

Follow recruitment, hiring, or promotion protocols

Comply with advertising/recruiting requirements

Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Reporting

Recordkeeping

Monitoring

Goals (e.g., for hiring, admissions)

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment

Demotion

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discipline

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Hiring

Other Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc)

Promotion

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

EEOC-centric:

EEOC Intervened in Private Suit