No New Math Here: A Recent Illinois Supreme Court Decision Clarifies that “Causal Nexus” ≠ Causation in Retaliatory Discharge Actions

In Michael v. Precision Alliance Group, LLC, 2014 IL 117376, the Illinois Supreme Court held that common law retaliatory discharge claims require proof of actual causation, not just a “causal nexus” between protected activity and termination. This reinforces that plaintiffs must show the discharge was truly retaliatory, treating these claims like any other tort.