A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a waste management company, alleging racial discrimination and retaliatory discharge. Alden Bell, the plaintiff, lodged his complaint on November 19, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC. The case brings to light serious allegations of workplace discrimination and retaliation.
The lawsuit claims that Bell was subjected to race-based discrimination and retaliatory discharge in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981. Bell's allegations stem from his employment as a swing driver with Lakeshore Recycling Systems from July 20, 2024, until his termination on August 28, 2024. He contends that during this period, he met or exceeded performance expectations but was nonetheless terminated under discriminatory pretenses by Keith, a manager with whom he had previous negative encounters at another company due to racial bias.
Bell's narrative describes an unsettling encounter when Keith began working at Lakeshore Recycling Systems on August 27, 2024. The following day, Keith terminated Bell's employment citing unsatisfactory performance despite Bell's strong track record and lack of disciplinary issues. Bell asserts that this decision was racially motivated and linked to his prior engagement in protected activities—specifically filing an EEOC charge against Keith during their time at Advance Disposal between 2014 and 2015.
The plaintiff argues that his termination was not only discriminatory but also retaliatory since it followed his previous complaints about racial discrimination. He alleges that similarly situated non-African American employees were not subjected to similar treatment or retaliation. Furthermore, Bell claims there is a direct causal connection between his protected activity—reporting racial discrimination—and his subsequent termination.
In seeking redress from the court, Bell requests several forms of relief including back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorney fees and costs, pre-judgment interest if applicable, and any other relief deemed just by the court. He demands a jury trial to address these grievances.
Representing Alden Bell is Peyton M. Paschke from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while the presiding judge for this case is yet unnamed. The case identification number is 1:24-cv-11919.