Chad Stevens, a former employee of Allied Universal, has filed a lawsuit alleging age discrimination and retaliation by his employer. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on March 21, 2025, against Universal Protection Service, LLC, which operates under the name Allied Universal. Stevens claims that he was wrongfully terminated due to his age and for filing a discrimination complaint against his supervisor.
According to the court documents, Chad Stevens was employed by Allied Universal from May 1, 2001, until his termination on May 10, 2024. At the time of his dismissal, Stevens was 53 years old and had received positive performance evaluations and raises throughout his tenure. However, he alleges that starting in early 2024, Allied Universal began targeting older employees for termination. Stevens claims that he was forced to write unwarranted performance improvement plans for employees over the age of 40 and was denied a bonus despite meeting all criteria.
Stevens' supervisor, Dan Shontz, is accused of treating him unfairly compared to younger employees and retaliating against him after he filed a discrimination complaint on May 9, 2024. The following day, Shontz allegedly fired Stevens for "gross insubordination," a charge Stevens contends was fabricated in response to his complaint. The lawsuit argues that this rapid sequence of events indicates a retaliatory motive.
The plaintiff is seeking both equitable and legal relief from the court. This includes reinstatement to his former position or front pay if reinstatement is not feasible; back pay with interest; compensatory damages; liquidated damages for willful violations; attorneys’ fees; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. The lawsuit asserts that Allied Universal's actions were not only discriminatory but also carried out with malice or reckless indifference to federally protected rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Representing Chad Stevens is attorney Steven D Horak from Buffalo Grove, Illinois. The case is identified as Case No. 1:25-cv-03019 and will be heard in front of judges from the Northern District of Illinois.