A long-standing employee has filed a lawsuit against her employer, alleging severe retaliation and discrimination that have impacted her career progression and mental well-being. Wendy Drake lodged the complaint on June 3, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Wendy Drake's legal battle began after she was overlooked for a promotion despite her years of dedicated service and qualifications. Hired as a probation officer on September 26, 1994, Drake was promoted to Supervisor in December 2014. Her exemplary performance led to her certification as a Lead Trainer in 2018. However, things took a turn when she was promised but then denied the Director of Training position in late 2019. The role was instead given to Christopher Devlin, who had less experience than Drake and whom she had trained herself.
Drake claims that her troubles escalated after she filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) in June 2023. Despite receiving a Notice of Right to File Suit on March 3, 2024, Drake alleges that her employer continued to retaliate against her. "I was reprimanded and denied promotions because I dared to speak out," said Drake in her complaint. She asserts that this retaliation included being precluded from any promotional opportunities for eighteen months due to a written reprimand issued on January 13, 2023.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court. These include declaratory judgments declaring the defendant's actions unlawful, injunctions preventing further discriminatory practices, compensatory damages for both economic and non-economic harm such as emotional distress and mental anguish, punitive damages, and coverage of all legal costs incurred during this action.
Representing Wendy Drake is attorney Chiquita Hall-Jackson. The case has been assigned Case ID: 1:24-cv-04607 and will be presided over by judges from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.