In a compelling legal battle, a veteran and business owner is challenging the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) over alleged violations of his civil rights. Matthew Monson, through his attorneys James J. Lessmeister and Jimmy Samad of Lessmeister & Samad PLLC, filed a complaint on December 6, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the IGB and its members. The lawsuit claims that Monson's equal protection rights were violated due to adverse rulings by the IGB related to his business dealings.
The crux of Monson's case revolves around several adverse decisions made by the IGB that he argues are unjust and prejudiced. According to the complaint, Monson's businesses—Vemco LLC, Equitable Veteran Solutions LLC, and Veterans VGT LLC—have been unfairly targeted by the IGB. These companies have faced significant challenges due to actions taken by the board, including denial of licenses and requests for disassociation from other entities based on an amended disciplinary complaint against Veterans VGT. The complaint alleges that these actions were taken without proper adjudication or hearings being granted.
Monson asserts that despite timely requests for hearings regarding these decisions, the IGB has failed to assign an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) or provide any form of due process. This lack of action has left Monson and his businesses in limbo for over eleven months, preventing them from seeking justice or resolution. The plaintiff argues that this delay is intentional, designed to allow the IGB to prosecute its complaint against Veterans VGT first and justify its punitive measures against him.
The lawsuit highlights several instances where Monson believes his rights were infringed upon. For example, Vemco LLC was denied a Casino Supplier License based on allegations against Veterans VGT that had not been resolved at the time. Similarly, Monson's association with Golden Nugget Danville casino was jeopardized by a request for disassociation issued by the IGB without any final adjudication of complaints against Veterans VGT.
Monson seeks relief from these actions under 42 U.S.C § 1983 for violations of his constitutional rights under both federal and state law. He argues that there was no rational basis for the defendants' acts and omissions which were carried out with illegitimate animus rather than any legitimate state interest. As such, he is requesting judgment against all named defendants in their individual and official capacities along with any further relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Matthew Monson are attorneys James J. Lessmeister and Jimmy A. Samad from Lessmeister & Samad PLLC located in Chicago. The case is being presided over in front of judges at the United States District Court for Northern District of Illinois under Case ID: 1:24-cv-12597.