In a striking legal battle, a former employee of a state department has filed a lawsuit alleging workplace discrimination and retaliation. Francine Estevez, the plaintiff, submitted her complaint against the Illinois Department of Transportation on December 4, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Estevez accuses her former employer of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Illinois Whistleblower Act by fostering a hostile work environment based on sex discrimination and retaliating against her for reporting such misconduct.
Estevez’s journey with the Illinois Department of Transportation began in 2011 when she was hired as part of their Emergency Traffic Patrol team. Over time, she claims to have faced increasing harassment and unequal treatment due to her gender in what she describes as a male-dominated workplace. The situation reportedly escalated after she lodged complaints with the department’s Bureau of Civil Rights about harassment from supervisors including Jaime Escamilla and Shaun Bond. Despite her efforts to seek redress internally, Estevez asserts that her allegations were dismissed as mere interpersonal conflicts.
The plaintiff recounts numerous instances where she was allegedly subjected to discriminatory practices and retaliation. In March 2025, following an incident involving a potentially armed driver, Estevez claims she was unjustly criticized by Foreman Escamilla despite acting professionally. Her complaints about this incident were minimized by the department. Subsequent reports of unfair treatment were met with intensified scrutiny and aggressive questioning by supervisors between April 11th and April 16th, 2025.
Further incidents detailed in the complaint include being assigned faulty equipment, being recorded without consent by a supervisor, manipulation of overtime assignments, and receiving unwarranted disciplinary actions for tasks performed similarly by male colleagues without repercussion. On July 31st, Estevez was shortchanged on overtime hours; later in August, she was reprimanded for actions directed by state police—actions that male coworkers executed without issue.
Estevez is seeking several forms of relief from the court: declarations that Title VII was violated; injunctions preventing further violations; compensatory damages; back pay; front pay; attorney’s fees; costs; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. She emphasizes that these measures are necessary not only for her own restitution but also to protect other employees from similar violations.
Representing Francine Estevez is Attorney Antonio L. Jeffrey from Jeffrey Law Office LLC. The case is presided over under Case No. 25-cv-14751 in front of judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Source: 125cv14751_Francine_Estevez_v_Illinois_Department_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
