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Lauren Bennett Alleges Discrimination Against Former Employer East Lake Management Under ADA

COOK COUNTY RECORD

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Lauren Bennett Alleges Discrimination Against Former Employer East Lake Management Under ADA

Federal Court
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Virginia M. Kendall, Chief Judge at USDC Northern District Illinois | https://www.law.uchicago.edu/

Lauren Bennett has filed a lawsuit against East Lake Management Group, alleging discrimination and retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on September 25, 2024. Bennett accuses her former employer, East Lake Management Group, of failing to accommodate her disabilities and retaliating against her for asserting her rights.

The case revolves around allegations that East Lake Management Group discriminated against Bennett due to her disabilities, scoliosis and anxiety. Bennett claims she faced harassment from a trainer at the company, Charles Bellamy, who allegedly mocked her memory issues linked to her psychiatric condition and accused her of drug use. This behavior reportedly continued despite Bennett expressing discomfort and revealing her struggles related to her disabilities. The situation escalated when Bennett emailed her supervisor about a meeting concerning her disability and upcoming medical appointments. Shortly after this disclosure, she was terminated on July 1, 2024.

Bennett argues that by terminating her employment shortly after she requested accommodations for medical appointments related to her disabilities, East Lake Management Group not only denied reasonable accommodation but also failed to engage in an interactive process as mandated by the ADA. The complaint outlines multiple counts of violations under the ADA, including disability-based discrimination, failure to accommodate, harassment based on disability, and retaliation for engaging in protected activities.

In seeking redress from the court, Bennett is asking for back pay with interest, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, loss of benefits compensation, attorneys' fees and costs. She also seeks any other relief deemed just by the court. The plaintiff demands a jury trial to resolve these issues.

The case is being handled by attorney Nathan C. Volheim from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., representing Lauren Bennett. The case identification number is 1:24-cv-08906.

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