A former preschool teacher has taken legal action against her previous employer, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination due to her disability. Regina Eberle filed a complaint on December 30, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against STEM Studio, LLC. The lawsuit claims violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including failure to accommodate her disability, harassment based on her condition, and retaliation for engaging in protected activities.
The case centers around Eberle's employment as a preschool teacher at STEM Studio from November 2, 2023, until her termination on December 9, 2024. During this period, Eberle was dealing with a significant lower limb fracture that required an orthopedic boot and future surgery. Despite these challenges, she asserts that she was fully capable of performing her job duties with reasonable accommodations. However, Eberle alleges that STEM Studio failed to provide such accommodations and instead subjected her to discriminatory treatment.
Eberle's complaint details various instances where she felt targeted because of her disability. She recounts how Anne Camarano, the owner of STEM Studio, repeatedly questioned her about her medical condition in front of colleagues and parents. This included inquiries about the duration she would need to wear a wound vac following surgery—a device necessary for healing after removing corrective hardware from her leg. According to Eberle, these public interrogations created an uncomfortable work environment and demonstrated a lack of understanding or empathy from management.
Further complicating matters was the reduction in Eberle's working hours from three days per week to two without explanation while increasing another non-disabled colleague’s schedule. This change coincided with Eberle's medical issues and seemed indicative of discriminatory practices within the company. Eventually, Camarano posted an advertisement for Eberle’s position before terminating her employment under the pretext that "the school is going in a different direction."
Eberle accuses STEM Studio of violating several provisions under the ADA by not only failing to accommodate but also retaliating against her for asserting her rights under federal law. Her lawsuit seeks multiple forms of relief: back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages, reimbursement for lost benefits, attorney fees and costs associated with bringing forth this action—all intended as redress for alleged losses incurred due to discriminatory conduct.
Representing Regina Eberle is Peyton M. Paschke from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while Judge overseeing this matter remains unnamed at present time; however it bears Case ID: 1:24-cv-13359 indicating its filing status within jurisdictional boundaries set forth by court proceedings initiated therein.