In a compelling lawsuit filed on June 4, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, an employee has accused her former employer of severe racial discrimination and harassment. Moniah McConico, through her attorney Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., has brought forth a complaint against Humboldt Park Health alleging violations under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Moniah McConico worked as a patient care technician at Humboldt Park Health from January 23, 2023, until January 29, 2024. According to the complaint, starting in May 2023, McConico began experiencing egregious racial discrimination and harassment at her workplace. She was subjected to derogatory racial slurs such as "nigger" and "porch monkey," along with offensive jokes about chattel slavery directed at African Americans. Despite reporting these incidents to her manager Casey Yunit in November 2023, no significant action was taken to address or mitigate the hostile work environment she faced.
The plaintiff asserts that following her complaints about the discriminatory behavior, she became a target for retaliation. This included unreasonable scrutiny and continued verbal abuse which ultimately led to her constructive discharge on January 29, 2024. McConico claims that this retaliation was a direct consequence of her opposition to unlawful discrimination and exercising her protected rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
McConico's lawsuit details several counts against Humboldt Park Health including race-based discrimination and harassment under both Section 1981 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The plaintiff alleges that she met or exceeded performance expectations throughout her employment but was treated less favorably than similarly situated employees outside of her protected class. Furthermore, she contends that Humboldt Park Health acted with willful and reckless disregard for her protected rights leading to significant emotional distress and loss of employment benefits.
In terms of relief sought from the court, McConico is requesting back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, pre-judgment interest if applicable, and any other relief deemed just by the court. She has also demanded a jury trial for all issues presented in this case.
Representing Moniah McConico is attorney Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while the case will be presided over by judges assigned within the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID: 1:24-cv-04633.