Katie Vinge and Stephanie Weiner secured the dismissal of two complaints of discrimination against the Prairie Du Pont Fire Protection District. The complaints involved a husband and wife who were volunteer firefighters with the District.

The wife contended that the District had failed to promote her based on her sex and marital status, and that after she reported the alleged discrimination, she was subsequently demoted. In his complaint, the husband contended that when he questioned why his wife was not promoted and/or demoted, the District retaliated against him and subsequently removed him as Fire Chief.

The District disputed the accusations. An investigation by the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) determined that neither the wife nor husband was an employee of the District. Therefore, the IDHR lacked jurisdiction over the complaints. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had no jurisdiction to investigate the complaints because there was no employer-employee relationship involved. Subsequently, both charges were dismissed for lack of jurisdiction and lack of substantial evidence.

Both HeplerBroom attorneys practice in the firm’s Chicago office and focus their practices on the defense of civil litigation cases, including employment issues. Vinge, an associate attorney, also handles professional liability and construction injury and defect matters. Weiner, a partner, also handles construction injury and defect cases, as well as premises liability and governmental & civil rights law. She has been named an Illinois Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media.