A recent federal lawsuit claims that an employer failed to accommodate an employee’s medical needs and retaliated against her after she requested support for her ongoing cancer treatment. The complaint was filed by Jennifer Davis in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on March 11, 2026, naming Lutheran Social Services of Illinois as the defendant.
According to the filing, Davis began working as a Talent Acquisition Specialist II at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) on May 20, 2024. She states that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021 and continues to undergo treatment. At the time she accepted her position with LSSI, Davis says she worked entirely remotely—a condition that accommodated her medical situation—and was told she would only need to come into the office once per quarter.
The complaint describes changes in workplace expectations following the arrival of a new Vice President in early 2025 who encouraged more frequent in-office work. Davis asserts this shift created difficulties for her as she continued receiving medical care. In March 2025, Davis’s doctor submitted documentation explaining her need to continue remote work due to symptoms such as grogginess, vision loss, bone pain, and inflamed bowels that made commuting unsafe.
Davis alleges that after submitting this accommodation request, her supervisor became hostile toward her remote work arrangement. The filing details comments from her supervisor about being present in the office and indicates that Davis was told her remote status was problematic. At a company event, another employee allegedly commented on Davis’s hair and clothing; when Davis asked to sit down due to feeling unwell from treatment, she reports being told by her supervisor to leave the event.
Following these incidents, Davis reported feeling bullied to the Vice President but declined a formal investigation or escalation at that time. Afterward, according to the complaint, her supervisor’s behavior worsened: Davis was accused of missing work despite evidence proving otherwise; reprimanded for answering questions during meetings; had access revoked from shared projects while still being expected to complete related tasks; and required longer advance notice for time off compared to other employees.
On April 24, 2025, LSSI terminated Davis’s employment citing alleged misconduct—specifically failing to communicate with a candidate during an interview process. The lawsuit claims that Davis provided proof she had contacted the candidate but was asked for phone records and dismissed before she could submit them.
Davis maintains that she never received warnings or performance issues prior to termination and argues that both negative treatment and eventual dismissal were linked directly to her requests for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She further alleges that LSSI failed to engage in an interactive process required by law when determining appropriate accommodations for employees with disabilities.
The legal filing brings several counts against Lutheran Social Services of Illinois: disability-based discrimination; disability-based harassment; failure to accommodate under the ADA; and retaliation following protected activity. It states: “Plaintiff suffered multiple adverse employment actions, including but not limited to being unlawfully terminated.”
Davis seeks relief including back pay; payment of interest on all back pay and benefits recoverable; front pay; loss of benefits; compensatory and punitive damages; reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs; pre-judgment interest if applicable; as well as any additional relief deemed just by the court. She has also demanded a jury trial on all issues presented.
The case is represented by attorney Travis Lampert of Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., Lombard, Illinois (Bar No.: 99843). The case identification number is 1:26-cv-02755.
Source: 126cv02755_Jennifer_Davis_v_Lutheran_Social_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
