In a striking legal battle, a former employee has taken a healthcare giant to court over allegations of discrimination and retaliation. On February 3, 2026, Evelon Burgess filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Northwestern Memorial Healthcare. The lawsuit claims that the healthcare provider discriminated against Burgess due to her disability, failed to accommodate her needs, and retaliated against her for exercising her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Evelon Burgess, who served as a phlebotomist at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare from May 4, 2022, until her termination on August 12, 2025, alleges that she was wrongfully dismissed due to her mental health conditions. Burgess suffers from anxiety and depression, which significantly affect major life activities such as concentrating and working. Despite these challenges, she asserts that she was fully capable of performing her job duties with reasonable accommodations. In June 2025, she requested intermittent FMLA leave and sought a flexible schedule to manage her condition through therapy sessions. Her requests were initially approved; however, following this approval, Burgess claims she faced differential treatment from her supervisor Elton Guillen. She alleges that Guillen isolated her from team discussions and accused her of unauthorized leave despite having pre-approved time off.
The complaint outlines multiple violations by Northwestern Memorial Healthcare under both the ADA and FMLA. It accuses the defendant of disability-based discrimination by terminating Burgess’s employment due to her mental health conditions. Furthermore, it highlights harassment based on disability as well as failure to provide necessary accommodations. The plaintiff also points out retaliation after requesting FMLA leave—a protected activity under federal law—arguing that these actions led directly to her unjust termination.
Burgess is seeking various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay, liquidated damages for loss of benefits along with compensatory and punitive damages. Additionally, she requests reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with bringing this action forward.
Representing Evelon Burgess is attorney Travis P. Lampert from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., located in Lombard, Illinois. The case is presided over by judges at the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID: 1:26-cv-01187.
Source: 126cv01187_Evelon_Burgess_v_Northwestern_Memorial_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf