A police officer has filed a lawsuit against her employer, alleging a pattern of gender discrimination and retaliation that stifled her career advancement. On February 7, 2025, Sheara Bonilla filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Elk Grove Village, accusing the municipality of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by denying her promotion due to her gender and retaliating against her for raising concerns.
The lawsuit details Bonilla's long tenure with the Elk Grove Village Police Department, where she began as a patrol officer in 1999 and was later promoted to Sergeant in 2016 and Commander in 2020. Despite these advancements, Bonilla claims that systemic gender discrimination within the department thwarted her aspirations to become Deputy Chief. The complaint highlights former Chief of Police Charles Walsh's derogatory remarks towards female officers and his failure to promote Bonilla despite her superior qualifications compared to male counterparts. "The police department was an 'old boys club,'" Walsh allegedly admitted during a conversation with Bonilla when she confronted him about being passed over for promotion.
Bonilla further alleges that after filing complaints about this discrimination, she faced retaliation from Elk Grove Village. Her health insurance was abruptly canceled shortly after lodging her grievances, only to be reinstated following persistent inquiries. Additionally, she received a lower merit pay increase than male colleagues who had not complained about discrimination. These actions were part of what Bonilla describes as a broader campaign of retribution orchestrated by Chief Walsh and other officials.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against Elk Grove Village for its discriminatory practices under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and demands compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and attorney fees. The lawsuit calls for all legal and equitable remedies available under federal law to address both the failure to promote based on gender and subsequent acts of retaliation.
Representing Sheara Bonilla is Patrick J. Walsh from Griffin Williams McMahon & Walsh LLP. The case is presided over by an unnamed judge under Case ID: 1:25-cv-01349.