In a significant legal move, a former employee has taken action against a prominent educational institution, alleging violations of age discrimination and family medical leave rights. David Gillick filed a complaint on February 18, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This lawsuit brings to light serious allegations regarding employment practices that could have broader implications for workplace policies.
David Gillick, who served as Chief Engineer since 1993 and later through a property management company starting in 2001, claims that his termination was unjust and discriminatory. According to the complaint, Gillick was informed by his employer that he would need to take FMLA leave for surgery from September to October 2022. During this period, his position was allegedly given to a younger employee named Tom Burton. Furthermore, after terminating its contract with one property management group while Gillick was on leave, the defendant hired another group and subsequently terminated Gillick's employment without cause in October 2022. "All of Plaintiff’s younger similarly situated coworkers who were not on FMLA leave were able to continue their employment," states the complaint.
The lawsuit accuses The School of the Art Institute of Chicago of violating both the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Specifically, it alleges that the defendant discriminated against Gillick based on age when it terminated him while retaining younger employees under similar circumstances. Additionally, it is claimed that his dismissal during FMLA-protected leave constitutes interference with his rights under FMLA and retaliation for exercising those rights.
Gillick seeks various forms of relief from the court: equitable/injunctive relief to prevent further discrimination or retaliation; compensatory damages including lost wages; liquidated damages; reasonable attorney’s fees; costs and disbursements; and any other relief deemed just by the court. These demands highlight not only personal grievances but also aim to address broader systemic issues within workplace environments.
Representing David Gillick is Michael T. Smith from Law Offices of Michael T. Smith & Associates, P.C., based in Lisle, Illinois. The case has been assigned Case No. 1:25-cv-01688 and will be heard before judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.