A recent federal court filing alleges that an individual was subjected to workplace discrimination based on race and disability, as well as retaliation after seeking accommodations and exercising protected rights. The complaint was filed by Latisha Grant in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on March 9, 2026, naming the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services as defendant.
According to the document, Grant seeks relief for what she describes as unlawful discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and interference with her rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The complaint states that Grant is an African-American woman who began working for the department around July 16, 2015, initially as a Child Support Specialist Trainee before advancing to Executive I. She claims she consistently performed her job duties satisfactorily throughout her employment.
The filing outlines a series of events beginning in August 2019 when Grant first filed charges of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). A second charge was reportedly filed in December 2021. Grant asserts that she requested disability accommodations from her employer twice—once in July 2021 (denied in September 2021) and again in January 2025 (never approved). She also reports requesting FMLA leave forms in January 2025.
Grant alleges that disciplinary actions followed these requests. She was disciplined for alleged attendance violations in January 2025, suspended for three days in March 2025, and informed by July 31, 2025 that she would be required to return to office work starting August 18, 2025. According to the complaint, these actions culminated in her termination effective February 18, 2026.
The plaintiff contends that other employees who were not African-American or disabled did not face similar treatment. The document states: “Other non-African-American Employees who performed similarly to Plaintiff were not subjected to a hostile work environment, denied leave, denied reasonable accommodation requests… disciplined or terminated.” Similar language is used regarding non-disabled employees and those who had not requested accommodations or previously complained about discriminatory treatment.
Grant’s legal arguments are structured into four counts: violation of Title VII (race discrimination), violation of ADA (disability discrimination), violation of FMLA (interference), and retaliation under all three statutes. Each count reasserts prior allegations while specifying how they apply under each law. For example, under Count I regarding Title VII: “Non-African-American employees were treated more favorably than Plaintiff,” leading to adverse actions allegedly motivated by race. Under Count II regarding ADA: “Non-disabled employees were treated more favorably than Plaintiff,” focusing on denial of reasonable accommodation requests.
The complaint further claims that any reasons given by the department for its actions are pretextual: “Any reason given for Defendant’s adverse actions are a pretext for discrimination based on race… but for Defendant’s motive to discriminate against Plaintiff due to her race.”
In addition to compensatory damages for lost wages, benefits, career opportunities, future earnings, damage to reputation, medical expenses, attorneys’ fees and court costs across all counts, Grant seeks punitive damages where permitted by law. The filing states: “An award of punitive damages is appropriate and necessary to deter Defendant from committing similar acts… in the future.”
The plaintiff demands a jury trial. The case is identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-02640. Latisha Grant is represented by Anthony J. Peraica & Associates Ltd., with attorney Anthony J. Peraica listed as counsel.
Source: 126cv02640_Latisha_Grant_v_Illinois_Department_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
