Kathyann Deaner has taken legal action against her former employer, alleging discrimination based on age and disability. On November 22, 2024, Deaner filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Antioch Public Library District. The lawsuit accuses the library district of violating both the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Deaner, who worked as a business manager for the Antioch Public Library District from December 2008 until September 3, 2024, claims she was subjected to discriminatory practices due to her age and disability. At 64 years old, Deaner is part of a protected class under ADEA. She alleges that from February to September 2024, she faced different employment terms compared to younger colleagues and was placed in a hostile work environment due to her age. The complaint details how Deaner's workload increased unfairly when tasks were reassigned from younger employees who struggled with their duties.
Furthermore, Deaner asserts that she suffers from a physical impairment affecting her breathing and requires oxygen and medication. Despite being qualified for her role with or without accommodations, she claims that her requests for reasonable adjustments were ignored by her supervisor, Jennifer Drinka. An incident in May 2024 exemplifies this: Deaner sought an exemption from attending a convention due to health concerns but was instead forced to use an electric scooter at the event, which she found humiliating.
The complaint highlights instances where younger employees received leniency not afforded to Deaner. It also describes how Drinka terminated another older employee with health issues previously, suggesting a pattern of discrimination against older workers within the organization. On September 3, 2024, Deaner was dismissed allegedly for not completing tasks—an accusation she argues is unfounded given that younger employees faced no repercussions for similar shortcomings.
Deaner’s lawsuit includes multiple counts against Antioch Public Library District: age-based discrimination under ADEA; harassment based on age; disability-based discrimination under ADA; failure to accommodate her disability; harassment based on disability; and retaliation following her requests for accommodation. She seeks various forms of relief including back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Kathyann Deaner is Nathan C. Volheim of Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while Judge presiding over this case is yet unnamed in this document under Case ID: 1:24-cv-12041.