In a compelling legal battle that highlights significant issues of workplace discrimination, Amaranta Cuesta has filed a lawsuit against the North River Commission. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on December 24, 2024. Cuesta accuses her former employer, North River Commission, of multiple violations including pregnancy-based discrimination and harassment, failure to accommodate disabilities, and retaliatory actions following her requests for reasonable accommodations.
Amaranta Cuesta's lawsuit stems from alleged violations of several federal laws designed to protect employees from discrimination and ensure fair treatment in the workplace. These include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) of 2023, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Cuesta claims that during her tenure as a Program Site Coordinator at North River Commission from May 31, 2021, until her termination on July 22, 2024, she faced unjust treatment due to her pregnancy and mental health conditions such as ADHD and PTSD. According to the complaint, after informing her employer about her pregnancy in June 2024 and requesting necessary accommodations for both her pregnancy and disabilities like working from home due to complications, she was subjected to undue pressure and eventually terminated under questionable circumstances.
Cuesta alleges that despite meeting performance expectations consistently, she was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan shortly after a change in executive leadership—a move she believes was influenced by discriminatory motives rather than genuine performance concerns. Furthermore, Cuesta details how she felt compelled to sign this plan out of fear of retaliation. Her situation worsened when she took a pre-approved vacation in April 2024; upon return, without an HR representative present to mediate or assist with accommodation requests for her ADHD condition made in May 2024. Despite these efforts and providing medical documentation supporting her need for temporary remote work due to pregnancy complications in July 2024, Cuesta claims that North River Commission failed to engage in any interactive process or provide reasonable accommodations.
The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief including back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages for emotional distress suffered due to alleged unlawful employment practices by North River Commission. Additionally, Cuesta demands coverage for attorney fees and other related costs incurred throughout this legal process.
Representing Amaranta Cuesta is attorney Alexander J. Taylor from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while details regarding defense counsel remain undisclosed at this time. The case is presided over by judges within the jurisdiction of Case ID: 1:24-cv-13207.