A former employee of a prominent motorcycle dealership chain has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and retaliation after reporting sexual harassment and commission discrepancies. Amy M. Hartman initiated the complaint on November 10, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Fox Glenview, LLC, DP Fox Ventures, LLC, and other associated entities operating under the Chicago Harley-Davidson brand.
Hartman’s lawsuit claims that she faced persistent sexual harassment while employed at Chicago Harley-Davidson in Glenview, Illinois. Despite her complaints to human resources and through an internal hotline about unethical conduct and harassment, she was terminated shortly after reporting these issues in September 2016. The plaintiff argues that her firing was retaliatory, linked directly to her complaints of workplace misconduct. The initial charge of discrimination was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 days of her dismissal and cross-filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR). Both agencies found substantial evidence supporting Hartman’s claims.
The legal battle took a new turn when Hartman secured employment with LONE STAR-CARDINAL MOTORCYCLE VENTURES XIV, LLC d/b/a Woodstock Harley group in 2017. However, she alleges that after Fox Glenview merged with her new employer’s parent company, her previous harassers once again became part of her employment structure. This merger reignited fears of retaliation due to her past EEOC lawsuit against them. Over subsequent years, Hartman claims that her pay plan was frequently altered without clear calculation methods or proper communication regarding earned commissions.
Hartman asserts that she repeatedly raised concerns about unpaid commissions and improper deductions but received no satisfactory response from management or HR departments. Her persistence led to two formal HR complaints in 2024 regarding commission miscalculations. Less than two weeks following her second complaint, Hartman was fired—a move she believes was motivated by revenge for her earlier legal actions against Fox Glenview.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating both federal and state laws under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Illinois Human Rights Act by engaging in retaliatory practices against an employee who had previously reported discriminatory behavior. Additionally, it cites violations under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA) for failing to pay owed commissions accurately.
Hartman seeks multiple forms of relief from the court: payment for unpaid wages and commissions along with liquidated damages; compensation for lost wages due to wrongful termination; punitive damages; injunctive relief requiring compliance with wage laws; declaratory judgment affirming unlawful practices; attorney fees; and other appropriate compensatory measures.
Representing Amy M. Hartman is attorney John C. Ireland from The Law Office Of John C. Ireland based in South Elgin, Illinois. The case is presided over by Honorable Judge A. Wood under Case No. 25 CV -13764.
Source: 125cv13764_Amy_Hartman_v_Fox_Glenview_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
