A dedicated educator is taking legal action against her employer, claiming that her rights under federal and state laws have been violated. Molly Sexton filed a complaint on January 13, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Board of Education, District 130, Cook County, Illinois, and Carrie Tisch. The case brings to light significant allegations of discrimination and retaliation that could impact workplace policies within educational institutions.
Molly Sexton has been a devoted teacher with District 130 for over 18 years. She holds multiple endorsements on her Professional Educator License and has spent the last 12 years teaching eighth-grade math at Veterans Memorial Middle School. Her lawsuit stems from events beginning in May 2024 when she raised concerns about hazardous working conditions at her school. According to the complaint, Sexton reported that the building was excessively hot and that water had been turned off during school hours, which not only posed a general risk but was particularly dangerous for her due to her multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite requesting accommodations for her disability starting May 2, 2024, she faced adverse actions from the district.
The crux of Sexton's complaint involves alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), the Illinois Human Rights Act, and the Illinois Whistleblower Act. After filing a complaint with IL OSHA on May 7, 2024—detailing unsafe conditions—Sexton claims she was retaliated against by being transferred from Veterans Memorial Middle School to Everett F. Kerr Middle School. This transfer came despite her requests not to be moved due to accessibility issues at Kerr related to her MS.
Sexton's attorney argues that these actions constitute discrimination based on disability and retaliation for whistleblowing activities. The district's failure to engage in an interactive process regarding reasonable accommodations is central to this claim. Moreover, Sexton alleges that after being replaced in her role at Veterans by someone without MS or a history of complaints against the district, she applied for other positions within Veterans but was overlooked despite being qualified.
In seeking justice through this lawsuit, Sexton demands various forms of relief: reinstatement or placement into another suitable position within Veterans; financial compensation including back pay and lost benefits; damages for emotional distress; as well as coverage of litigation costs and attorney fees. The court is also asked to impose penalties under state law provisions related to whistleblower protections.
Representing Molly Sexton is Julie Herrera from the Law Office of Julie O. Herrera based in Chicago. The case is presided over by Magistrate Judge [Name Not Provided], with Case ID: 1:25-cv-00344.