In a dramatic turn of events, a retail visit turned into a legal battle as an individual faced alleged racial discrimination and false imprisonment at a popular store. On February 23, 2026, Ramon Cordero filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Ross Stores, Inc., along with two unnamed employees referred to as John Doe and Jane Doe. The case sheds light on serious allegations of racial profiling and misconduct within the retail environment.
Ramon Cordero, a Cuban American residing in River Grove, Illinois, claims that his rights were violated during an incident at a Ross Dress for Less store located at 8355 West Belmont Avenue. According to the complaint, on January 11, 2026, while Cordero was shopping and attempting to make a purchase, he was approached by an employee identified as John Doe. The employee allegedly questioned Cordero’s nationality and made racially charged comments about his accent and perceived national origin. “I thought you were from Somalia,” John Doe reportedly said. This interaction took place while Cordero was engaged in a retail transaction.
The situation escalated when another employee, Jane Doe, contacted emergency services without providing specific allegations of criminal conduct against Cordero. She falsely reported that Cordero was harassing female employees and requested his removal from the premises. Law enforcement officers arrived shortly after and forcibly removed Cordero from the store without conducting a proper investigation or allowing him to complete his purchase.
Cordero’s complaint outlines multiple legal claims against Ross Stores and its employees. He alleges violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1981 for interference with his contractual rights due to racial discrimination. Additionally, he accuses Jane Doe of false imprisonment under Illinois common law for procuring his unlawful restraint based on discriminatory animus. Furthermore, Cordero asserts that Ross Stores violated the Illinois Human Rights Act by discriminating against him in a place of public accommodation.
In seeking justice, Ramon Cordero is asking the court for compensatory damages for emotional distress and humiliation caused by the incident. He also seeks punitive damages as permitted by law and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to applicable statutes.
Representing himself pro se in this case is Ramon Cordero. The presiding judge is Judge John Robert Blakey with Magistrate Judge Jeffrey T. Gilbert assisting in proceedings under Case ID: 1:26-cv-02009.
Source: 126cv02009_Ramon_Cordero_v_Ross_Stores_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf