A former teacher is taking legal action against a major educational institution, alleging age discrimination in the workplace. Deborah Johnson filed a complaint on November 10, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the Board of Education of the City of Chicago. Johnson claims that her employment was unjustly terminated due to her age, violating federal laws designed to protect older workers.
According to the complaint, Deborah Johnson began her career with the Board of Education in November 1990 as a teacher and had been performing satisfactorily according to her employer’s expectations. However, in June 2023, she was unexpectedly reassigned to a new position as an MTSS Coordinator without prior notice or guidance, which she believes was due to her high salary. Despite this sudden change, Johnson took initiative by proposing plans for her new role. The situation worsened when a new assistant principal lowered her performance ratings in August 2023. In April 2024, citing work stress and personal reasons, Johnson took leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Upon returning in June 2024, she discovered that her teaching position had been closed due to alleged budget cuts and was subsequently replaced by someone younger than forty years old.
Johnson’s complaint details how she faced further challenges upon being designated as a displaced teacher in August 2024. This status allowed her one year at her current salary and benefits but required working below her expertise level across different schools. After another FMLA leave due to work stress in February 2025, Johnson asserts that these actions were part of discriminatory practices based on age by the Board of Education.
The lawsuit accuses the Board of Education of violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals aged forty or older. Johnson seeks various forms of relief from the court: a declaration that the defendant violated ADEA provisions; an injunction preventing further violations; compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; reasonable attorney’s fees; and any other just relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Deborah Johnson is Attorney Antonio L. Jeffrey from Jeffrey Law Office LLC located in Oak Brook, Illinois. The case has been assigned Case No. 25-cv-13794.
Source: 125cv13794_Deborah_Johnson_v_Board_of_Education_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
