CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on June 14 that City Colleges of Chicago will pay $60,000 over allegations of age discrimination.
"As this case makes clear, making employment decisions based on age is illegal," Gregory Gochanour, EEOC regional attorney, said. "The consent decree settling this suit puts in place measures aimed at ensuring that age does not factor into future employment decisions at City Colleges."
According to EEOC, a college that is part of the City Colleges of Chicago System—Harold Washington College—refused to hire Nancy Sullivan, an adjunct professor, for a full-time faculty position because she was 66 years old. EEOC maintains that Sullivan was passed over in favor of less experienced and substantially younger candidates. Alleged conduct of this nature violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
"We are gratified that vigorous enforcement on the commission's part has led to appropriate corrective action and compensation for Ms. Sullivan,” Julie Bowman, district director of EEOC's Chicago District Office, said
EEOC’s Chicago District Office oversees agency operations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota, with area offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.