A former correctional officer is taking legal action against a county sheriff's office, alleging age discrimination and retaliation in her termination. Michelle E. Lynch filed a complaint on November 14, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and Winnebago County. The lawsuit claims violations under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Michelle E. Lynch, a resident of Rockford, Illinois, asserts that she was wrongfully terminated from her position as a Correctional Officer on April 4, 2023. At the time of her dismissal, Lynch was 52 years old and falls within the age group protected by the ADEA. She alleges that despite meeting and exceeding performance standards throughout her employment, she faced excessive discipline and harassment compared to younger employees. "Defendant willfully discriminated against Plaintiff because of her age," states the complaint, emphasizing differential treatment in terms and conditions of employment.
Lynch further contends that after filing complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding her hostile work environment and harassment, she was subjected to retaliatory actions by her employer. Her EEOC Complaint Docket No. 440-2023-0187 led to an adverse action when she was terminated on April 23, 2024. The complaint accuses the defendants of engaging in intentional and malicious retaliation following her EEOC filing.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court to address these grievances. Among them are reinstatement to her former position with compensation for lost wages and benefits due to what she describes as "willful conduct" by the defendants. Additionally, Lynch requests statutory damages for punitive reasons alongside prejudgment interest at maximum allowable rates. Her plea also includes demands for injunctive relief to prevent future discriminatory practices by ordering policy changes within Winnebago County Sheriff's Office aimed at eradicating age-based discrimination.
Represented by attorney Michael T. Smith from Schaumburg, Illinois, Lynch is pursuing this case under Case ID: 3:24-cv-50461 before an unnamed judge in hopes of securing justice not only for herself but also setting precedence against similar illegal acts by employers.