A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a local youth organization, alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination. Allen W. Mitchell lodged the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on August 5, 2024, targeting his former employer, Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township.
Mitchell, an African-American male residing in Huntley, Illinois, claims he faced racial discrimination during his tenure at the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township (DT), where he worked as a youth technical specialist from June 2022 until his termination in January 2024. According to the complaint, DT subjected Mitchell to disparate treatment compared to non-African-American employees, including harassment and excessive discipline. Despite Mitchell's complaints about this treatment, he was ultimately terminated on January 17, 2024.
The lawsuit invokes several sections of U.S. law that protect against employment discrimination based on race, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its amendments. The complaint asserts that DT's actions interfered with Mitchell's employment terms and conditions and caused him significant emotional distress. "By reason of the race disparate treatment by Defendant," the document states, "Plaintiff has suffered a loss of earnings and benefits, in addition to suffering great pain, humiliation and mental anguish."
Mitchell had previously filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on February 5, 2024. The EEOC issued a notice on May 8, 2024, granting him the right to pursue legal action after determining it would not proceed further with its investigation but making no judgment on the merits of his claims.
In his prayer for relief, Mitchell seeks several forms of redress from the court: a declaration that DT violated his rights; injunctive relief including reinstatement; compensatory damages; coverage for legal costs including attorney’s fees; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is being handled by Michael T. Smith from Schaumburg, Illinois.
The Case No. 1:24-cv-06853.