Case: EEOC v. Law Bulletin Publishing Co.

1:04-cv-06063 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Sept. 17, 2004

Closed Date: 2005

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On September 17, 2004, the EEOC, on behalf of an African-American employee, filed complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. The complaint claimed the defendant engaged in unlawful employment by subjecting the charging party to harassment on the basis of her race, African American, and retaliating against her when she complained.

On August 15, 2005, the court (Judge Ruben Castillo) approved a consent decree. The decree called for $20,000 in damages and carried with it a duration of 12 months. Additionally, the decree required injunctive relief in the form of EEOC posting of policies in the workplace and an overhaul of record keeping, reporting, policy distribution, employee training and dispute resolution in regard to harassment issues.

Summary Authors

David Miller (8/24/2010)

People


Judge(s)

Castillo, Rubén (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Elkin, Laurie S (Illinois)

Gochanour, Gregory M. (Illinois)

Hendrickson, John C. (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

King, Alan Sterling (Illinois)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:04-cv-06063

Docket

Aug. 15, 2005

Aug. 15, 2005

Docket
1

1:04-cv-06063

Complaint

Sept. 17, 2004

Sept. 17, 2004

Complaint
44

1:04-cv-06063

Consent Decree

Aug. 15, 2005

Aug. 15, 2005

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated Feb. 22, 2024, 3:03 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT; jury demand − Civil cover sheet − Appearance(s) of John C. Hendrickson, Gregory M. Gochanour, Laurie S. Elkin as attorney(s) for plaintiff (no summons(es) issued.) (Documents: (1−1 through 1−3)) (gma) (Entered: 09/20/2004)

Sept. 17, 2004

Sept. 17, 2004

2

WAIVER of service of summons as to defendant sent on 9/17/04 (lc) (Entered: 09/28/2004)

Sept. 27, 2004

Sept. 27, 2004

SCHEDULE set on 10/13/04 by Hon. Ruben Castillo : After a review of the initial pleadings in this case, this Court has decided to hold an expedited settlement conference. Plaintiff's counsel is directed to immediately serve the complaint and exhaust all settlement possibilities for this lawsuit. The Court will hold a settlement conference in chambers on 11/18/04 at 2:00 p.m. Clients with settlement authority are directed to appear or be available by telephone. Parties to file a joint status report on or before 11/15/04. (SEE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS ORDER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.) Counsel for plaintiff to notify all other parties of the Court's order. Mailed notice (rao) (Entered: 10/13/2004)

Oct. 13, 2004

Oct. 13, 2004

SCHEDULE set on 11/4/04 by Hon. Ruben Castillo : Settlement conference reset to 2:00 p.m. on 11/29/04. Parties to file the joint status report on or before 11/23/04. Mailed notice (rao) (Entered: 11/04/2004)

Nov. 4, 2004

Nov. 4, 2004

3

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant Law Bulletin Pub Co by Steven L. Loren, Alan Sterling King, Carrie Elizabeth Kienstra. (jmm) (Entered: 11/18/2004)

Nov. 15, 2004

Nov. 15, 2004

4

ANSWER by defendant and affirmative defenses to plaintiff's complaint [1−1]; Notice. (jmm) (Entered: 11/18/2004)

Nov. 15, 2004

Nov. 15, 2004

5

JOINT STATUS REPORT by parties; Notice. (lc) (Entered: 11/24/2004)

Nov. 23, 2004

Nov. 23, 2004

6

MINUTE ORDER of 11/29/04 by Hon. Ruben Castillo : Status hearing set for 12/14/04 at 9:45a.m. Settlement conference held in chambers. The parties are requested to fully exhaust all remaining settlement possibilities in light of the Court's recommendation. Defendant is requested to make any settlement offer in writing on or before 12/10/04. The 12/14/04 status will be held in open court. Mailed notice (lc) (Entered: 11/30/2004)

Nov. 29, 2004

Nov. 29, 2004

7

REFERRAL ORDER: Case referred to Honorable Michael T. Mason for an expedited settlement conference. Mailed notice. (srb) (Entered: 12/22/2004)

Dec. 14, 2004

Dec. 14, 2004

8

MINUTE ORDER of 12/14/04 by Hon. Ruben Castillo : Status hearing held and continued to 02/02/05 at 9:45a.m. Parties to make disclosures pursuant to F.R.Civ.P. 26(A)(1) no later than 12/31/04. Discovery cut−off date set on 03/30/05. This case is referred to Magistrate Judge Michael Mason for an expedited settlement conference. Mailed notice (lc) (Entered: 12/23/2004)

Dec. 14, 2004

Dec. 14, 2004

9

JOINT MOTION by defendant to terminate referral to Magistrate for settlement conference ; Notice (las) (Entered: 01/14/2005)

Jan. 14, 2005

Jan. 14, 2005

11

MINUTE entry before Judge Ruben Castillo: Joint Motion by defendant to terminate referral to Magistrate for Settlement Conference 9 is withdrawn. (srb,) (Entered: 02/02/2005)

Jan. 25, 2005

Jan. 25, 2005

12

MINUTE entry before Judge Michael T. Mason : Settlement conference held on 2/22/2005. Parties were not able to reach an agreement to settle the case at this time. All matters relating to the referral of this case having been resolved, the referral is closed and the case is returned to the assigned judge. Judicial staff mailed notice (kef, ) (Entered: 02/22/2005)

Feb. 22, 2005

Feb. 22, 2005

13

MINUTE entry before Judge Ruben Castillo: Status hearing held on 2/23/2005 and continued to 6/14/2005 at 9:45 A.M. Discovery cut−off is extended to 4/29/2005. Dispositive Motions to be filed by 6/1/2005. Mailed notice by judge's staff. (srb,) (Entered: 02/24/2005)

Feb. 23, 2005

Feb. 23, 2005

14

JOINT MOTION by Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for entry of agreed protective order (gma, ) (Entered: 03/22/2005)

March 22, 2005

March 22, 2005

15

NOTICE of Motion by Laurie S. Elkin for presentment of JOINT MOTION by Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for entry of agreed protective order 14 before Honorable Ruben Castillo on 3/30/2005 at 09:45 AM. (gma, ) (Entered: 03/22/2005)

March 22, 2005

March 22, 2005

16

JOINT MOTION by Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for entry of agreed protective order (gma, ) (Entered: 04/01/2005)

April 1, 2005

April 1, 2005

17

NOTICE of Motion by Laurie S. Elkin for presentment of JOINT MOTION by Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for entry of agreed protective order 16 before Honorable Ruben Castillo on 4/6/2005 at 09:45 AM. (gma, ) (Entered: 04/01/2005)

April 1, 2005

April 1, 2005

18

MINUTE entry before Judge Ruben Castillo : Parties joint motion for entry of agreed protective order [14, 16] is granted. Enter Agreed Protective Order. Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 04/06/2005)

April 4, 2005

April 4, 2005

19

AGREED PROTECTIVE Order Signed by Judge Ruben Castillo on 4/4/2005: Mailed notice (lxs, ) (Entered: 04/06/2005)

April 4, 2005

April 4, 2005

20

MINUTE entry before Judge Ruben Castillo : Status hearing reset to 6/9/2005 at 10:00 AM. Status hearing set for 6/14/05 is vacated. Judicial staff mailed notice (rao, ) (Entered: 05/12/2005)

May 12, 2005

May 12, 2005

21

STIPULATION by parties to dismiss the racial harrassment claim. (lcw, ) (Entered: 06/01/2005)

May 26, 2005

May 26, 2005

22

MOTION by Defendant Law Bulletin Publishing Company for summary judgment (gma, ) (Entered: 06/02/2005)

June 1, 2005

June 1, 2005

23

NOTICE of Motion by Law Bulletin Publishing Company for presentment of MOTION by Defendant Law Bulletin Publishing Company for summary judgment 22 before Honorable Ruben Castillo on 6/9/2005 at 09:45 AM. (gma, ) (Entered: 06/02/2005)

June 1, 2005

June 1, 2005

24

MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of MOTION by Defendant Law Bulletin Publishing Company for summary judgment 22 (gma, ) (Entered: 06/02/2005)

June 1, 2005

June 1, 2005

25

RULE 56.1(a) STATEMENT by defendant of material facts (gma, ) (Entered: 06/02/2005)

June 1, 2005

June 1, 2005

26

MINUTE entry before Judge Ruben Castillo: Plaintiff's racial harassment claim is voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. Mailed notice (lcw, ) (Entered: 06/03/2005)

June 2, 2005

June 2, 2005

28

SUMMARY of Revelant Dates and Events by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Notice. (lcw, ) (Entered: 06/13/2005)

June 8, 2005

June 8, 2005

29

STIPULATION by parties that the cause may be dismissed. (lcw, ) (Entered: 06/29/2005)

June 27, 2005

June 27, 2005

30

SUBSTITUTION of Counsel by defendant; Notice.(lcw, ) (Entered: 06/30/2005)

June 28, 2005

June 28, 2005

31

MOTION by defendant in limine to bar plaintiff from asserting costructive discharge; Notice. (lcw, ) (Entered: 07/07/2005)

July 1, 2005

July 1, 2005

32

MODIFIED Final Pretrial Order by defendant; Notice.(lcw, ) (Entered: 07/07/2005)

July 1, 2005

July 1, 2005

34

MEMORANDUM by defendant in Support of it's objections to certain exhibits and in opposition to plaintiff's objections to certain exhibits; Notice. (Exhibits) (lcw, ) (Entered: 07/08/2005)

July 6, 2005

July 6, 2005

33

MINUTE entry before Judge Ruben Castillo : Status hearing held. Plaintiff's response to defendant's motion in limine to bar plaintiff from asserting constructive discharge 31 and response to defendant's objections to plaintiff's exhibits are due before 12:00 p.m. on 7/12/2005. Defendant's replies will be due before 12:00 p.m. on 7/14/2005. Final Pretrial Conference set for 7/14/2005 at 03:30 PM. Judicial staff mailed notice (rao, ) (Entered: 07/08/2005)

July 8, 2005

July 8, 2005

35

RESPONSE by plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to defendant's motion in limine to bar plaintiff from asserting constructive discharge 31 ; Notice. (Exhibits) (lcw, ) (Entered: 07/14/2005)

July 12, 2005

July 12, 2005

36

RESPONSE by plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to defendant's objections to certain exhibits and in support of plaintiff's objections to certain exhibits; Notice. (lcw, ) (Entered: 07/14/2005)

July 12, 2005

July 12, 2005

37

MEMORANDUM by defendant Law Bulletin Publishing Company in Opposition to plaintiff's objections to defendant's proposed Exhibit No. 5; Notice. (lcw, ) (Entered: 07/14/2005)

July 12, 2005

July 12, 2005

38

MINUTE entry before Judge Ruben Castillo : Final settlement conference held in chambers. Full binding settlement reached on the record. This case is dismissed without prejudice subject to the entry of an appropriate consent decree which will be fully enforced by the Court. Trial set for 7/18/2005 is hereby vacated. Any pending motions are denied as moot. Civil case terminated. Judicial staff mailed notice (rao, ) (Entered: 07/15/2005)

July 14, 2005

July 14, 2005

39

REPLY by defendant in support of its objections to certain exhibits; RESPONSE to plaintiff EEOC's objections to certain exhibits; Notice. (Exhibits) (lcw, ) (Entered: 07/18/2005)

July 14, 2005

July 14, 2005

40

REPLY by defendant to plaintiff EEOC's response to defendant's motion in limine to bar plaintiff from asserting constructive discharge; Notice. (Exhibits)(lcw, ) (Entered: 07/18/2005)

July 14, 2005

July 14, 2005

41

AGREED MOTION by Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for entry of consent decree (gma, ) (Entered: 08/11/2005)

Aug. 11, 2005

Aug. 11, 2005

42

NOTICE of Motion by Laurie S. Elkin for presentment of AGREED MOTION by Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for entry of consent decree 41 before Honorable Ruben Castillo on 8/16/2005 at 09:45 AM. (gma, ) (Entered: 08/11/2005)

Aug. 11, 2005

Aug. 11, 2005

43

MINUTE entry before Judge Ruben Castillo: Parties' agreed Motion for entry of consent decree 41 is granted. Enter Consent Decree. The parties do not have to appear for the motion call on 8/16/05. Mailed notice (lcw, ) (Entered: 08/17/2005)

Aug. 15, 2005

Aug. 15, 2005

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 17, 2004

Closing Date: 2005

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Deanna Young - employee of the company subjected to racial harassment and wrongful termination as retaliation for her complaints, both in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Law Bulletin Publishing Co. (Chicago, Cook), Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Retailer

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

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: $20,000

Order Duration: 2005 - 2006

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Retaliation Prohibition

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Recordkeeping

Monitoring

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

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

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

Race:

Black

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits