Case: Robinson v. Sheriff of Cook County

1:95-cv-02205 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: April 11, 1995

Closed Date: 1998

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 11, 1995, a black job applicant filed a lawsuit against the Sheriff of Cook County in the U.S. District Court for the District of Northern Illinois. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, alleged that the defendant discriminated against him and "other black persons" on the basis of race and color in connection with the hiring of correctional officers. Specifically, the plaintiff claimed that the defendant had hired a disproportionate number of white and Hispanic applicants an…

On April 11, 1995, a black job applicant filed a lawsuit against the Sheriff of Cook County in the U.S. District Court for the District of Northern Illinois. The plaintiff, represented by private counsel, alleged that the defendant discriminated against him and "other black persons" on the basis of race and color in connection with the hiring of correctional officers. Specifically, the plaintiff claimed that the defendant had hired a disproportionate number of white and Hispanic applicants and had failed and refused to hire the plaintiff and other black persons as correctional officers in proportion to their representation in the pool of persons certified for employment.

On January 10, 1996, the Court (Judge James B. Zagel) denied the plaintiff's motion for class certification on the ground that the plaintiff had claims atypical of the class and would therefore be an inadequate class representative. On Aprial 11, 1996, the plaintiff filed his Amended Complaint named another applicant as an additional plaintiff.

However, on July 22, 1996, the Court (Judge Zagel) ruled that the other plaintiff could not intervene as class representative because she had failed to exhausted her administrative remedies by not filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC.

On March 16, 1998, the Court entered judgment in favor of defendant and against plaintiff.

Summary Authors

Kunyi Zhang (11/11/2010)

People


Judge(s)

Zagel, James Block (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Flaxman, Kenneth N. (Illinois)

Redman, Lesley Ann (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Brock, Gina Elizabeth (Illinois)

Lopez, Sophia (Illinois)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:95-cv-02205

Docket

March 22, 1999

March 22, 1999

Docket
39

1:95-cv-02205

Memorandum Opinion and Order

July 12, 1996

July 12, 1996

Order/Opinion

1996 WL 417559

Docket

Last updated March 23, 2025, 9:17 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 April 11, 1995

COMPLAINT − Civil cover sheet − Appearance(s) of Lesley A Redman, Kenneth N. Flaxman as attorney(s) for plaintiff with Rule 39 affidavits ( Original and one copy summons(es) issued.) ( Documents: 1−1 through 1−5) (fce) (Entered:

PACER
2 April 17, 1995

RETURN OF SERVICE of summons executed upon defendant Sheriff of Cook Cty on 4/11/95 (smm) (Entered: 04/19/1995)

PACER
3 April 28, 1995

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by Sophia Lopez (fce) (Entered: 05/01/1995)

PACER
4 May 5, 1995

MOTION by defendant Sheriff of Cook Cty for extension of time to answer or otherwise plead to complaint ; Notice of motion. (smm) Modified on 05/11/1995 (Entered: 05/11/1995)

PACER
5 May 5, 1995

MINUTE ORDER of 5/5/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Motion for extension of time to answer or otherwise plead granted [4−1]. Defendant's answer date extended to 5/22/95. Status hearing set for 7/26/95 at 10:00 a.m. Mailed notice. (smm) (Entered: 05/11/1995)

PACER
6 June 13, 1995

ANSWER to complaint by defendant; Notice of filing (fce) (Entered: 06/15/1995)

PACER
July 26, 1995

SCHEDULE set on 7/26/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held and continued to 10:00 9/8/95 . No notice (drw) (Entered: 07/31/1995)

PACER
7 Oct. 20, 1995

MOTION by Sheriff of Cook County for leave to file appearance as additional counsel ; Notice of motion (tlm) (Entered: 10/25/1995)

PACER
8 Oct. 20, 1995

MINUTE ORDER of 10/20/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Defendant's motion for leave to file appearance as additional counsel is granted. [7−1] Mailed notice (tlm) (Entered: 10/25/1995)

PACER
9 Oct. 20, 1995

ADDITIONAL ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by Gina Elizabeth Brock (tlm) (Entered: 10/25/1995)

PACER
10 Oct. 20, 1995

MOTION by Defendant for judgment on the pleadings ; Notice of motion. (tlm) (Entered: 10/26/1995)

PACER
11 Oct. 20, 1995

MINUTE ORDER of 10/20/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing set to 10:00 11/3/95. Sheriff of Cook County's motion for judgment on the pleadings denied. [10−1] No notice (tlm) (Entered: 10/26/1995)

PACER
12 Nov. 3, 1995

MOTION by defendant to Merit Board for leave to respond to plaintiff's motion to enforce subpoena and to apply for a protective order ; Notice of motion (fce) (Entered: 11/06/1995)

PACER
13 Nov. 3, 1995

MINUTE ORDER of 11/3/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Granting defendant's motion to Merit Board for leave to respond to plaintiff's motion to enforce subpoena [12−1] and defendant's motion to apply for a protective order [12−2] No notice (fce) (Entered: 11/06/1995)

PACER
14 Nov. 3, 1995

MOTION by defendant for more definite statement ; Notice of motion (fce) (Entered: 11/06/1995)

PACER
15 Nov. 3, 1995

MINUTE ORDER of 11/3/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Granting defendant's motion for more definite statement [14−1] No notice (fce) (Entered: 11/06/1995)

PACER
16 Nov. 3, 1995

MOTION by plaintiff to enforce subpoena (Attachments); Notice of motion (fce) (Entered: 11/06/1995)

PACER
17 Nov. 3, 1995

MINUTE ORDER of 11/3/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held; continued to 11/22/95 at 10:00 a.m. Denying plaintiff's motion to enforce subpoena [16−1] No notice (fce) (Entered: 11/06/1995)

PACER
18 Nov. 22, 1995

MOTION by plaintiff for class certification ; Notice of motion (fce) (Entered: 12/05/1995)

PACER
19 Nov. 22, 1995

MINUTE ORDER of 11/22/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Plaintiff's motion for class certification [18−1]. Answer brief to motion due 12/20/95. Reply to answer brief due 1/3/96. Hearing on plaintiff's motion for class certification [18−1] set for 1/10/96 at 10:00 a.m. Status hearing held; continued to 01/10/96 at 10:00 a.m. No notice (fce) (Entered: 12/05/1995)

PACER
20 Nov. 22, 1995

PROTECTIVE ORDER (fce) (Entered: 12/05/1995)

PACER
21 Nov. 22, 1995

MINUTE ORDER of 11/22/95 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Enter protective order. No notice (fce) (Entered: 12/05/1995)

PACER
22 Dec. 20, 1995

MEMORANDUM by defendant in oposition to class certification (Exhibits). [18−1] (tlm) (Entered: 12/29/1995)

PACER
23 Jan. 2, 1996

REPLY memorandum by plaintiff in support of motion for class certification [18−1] (fce) (Entered: 01/09/1996)

PACER
24 Jan. 10, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 1/10/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held; continued to 02/14/96 at 10:00 a.m. For the reasons stated in open court, plaintiff's motion for class certification [18−1] is denied without prejudice to plaintiff counsel's regarding a class representative by 02/07/96. No notice (fce) (Entered: 01/12/1996)

PACER
Feb. 13, 1996

SCHEDULE set on 2/13/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing date of 2/14/96 is reset to 2/23/96 at 10:00 am. Mailed notice (jms) (Entered: 02/13/1996)

PACER
25 Feb. 23, 1996

MOTION by plaintiff to add plaintiff ; Notice of motion (nlf) (Entered: 03/12/1996)

PACER
26 Feb. 23, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 2/23/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Granting motion to add plaintiff [25−1]. Plaintiff is given leave to file an amended complaint naming additional plaintiffs until March 15, 1996. Status hearing held and continued to 10:00 4/5/96 . No notice (nlf) Modified on 03/14/1996 (Entered: 03/12/1996)

PACER
April 5, 1996

SCHEDULE set on 4/5/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing reset to 10:00 4/11/96 . No notice (drw) (Entered: 04/09/1996)

PACER
27 April 11, 1996

MOTION by plaintiff for leave to file first amended complaint ; Notice of motion (fce) (Entered: 04/17/1996)

PACER
28 April 11, 1996

AFFIDAVIT of Belinda Taylor regarding motion for leave to file first amended complaint [27−1] (fce) (Entered: 04/17/1996)

PACER
29 April 11, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 4/11/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held; continued to 05/16/96 at 10:00 a.m. Granting plaintiff's motion for leave to file first amended complaint [27−1] No notice (fce) (Entered: 04/17/1996)

PACER
30 April 11, 1996

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT [1−1] by plaintiff; adding Belinda Taylor (fce) (Entered: 04/17/1996)

PACER
31 May 16, 1996

MOTION by defendant Sheriff of Cook Co for leave to file motion to dismiss amended complaint, instanter Notice of motion (eav) (Entered: 05/17/1996)

PACER
32 May 16, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 5/16/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Defendant's motion to file motion to dismiss amended complaint, instanter is granted. [31−1] No notice (eav) (Entered: 05/17/1996)

PACER
33 May 16, 1996

MOTION by defendant to dismiss first amended complaint (eav) (Entered: 05/17/1996)

PACER
34 May 16, 1996

MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of motion to dismiss first amended complaint [33−1] (Exhibit) (eav) (Entered: 05/17/1996)

PACER
35 May 16, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 5/16/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Defendant's motion to dismiss first amended complaint. Answer brief to motion due 05/23/96. [33−1] Reply to answer brief due 05/30/96. Hearing on motion set for 06/21/96 at 9:00 a.m. Status hearing set for 06/21/96 at 9:00 a.m. No notice (eav) (Entered: 05/17/1996)

PACER
36 May 23, 1996

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff Charles O Robinson in opposition to motion to dismiss first amended complaint [33−1] (fce) (Entered: 05/23/1996)

PACER
38 June 21, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 6/21/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held; continued to 9:00 a.m. 7/12/96. Motion to dismiss first amended complaint [33−1] is taken under advisement. No notice (smm) (Entered: 06/27/1996)

PACER
39 July 12, 1996

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER (smm) (Entered: 07/22/1996)

PACER
40 July 12, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 7/12/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held; continued to 9:00 a.m. 8/9/96. Plaintiff is given leave to file an amended complaint by 8/9.96. Motion to dismiss first amended complaint is granted in part and denied in part [33−1]. Enter memorandum opinion and order. No notice (smm) (Entered: 07/22/1996)

PACER
41 Aug. 9, 1996

MOTION by plaintiff to reconsider order of 07/12/96 (Attachments) (eav) (Entered: 08/12/1996)

PACER
Aug. 9, 1996

SCHEDULE set on 8/9/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held and continued to 9:00 9/13/96 . Plaintiff is given leave to file a motion for reconsideration. No notice (drw) (Entered: 08/14/1996)

PACER
42 Aug. 16, 1996

MOTION by plaintiffs to compel the defendant to identify by name and last known address all persons who applied for the position of correctional officer and also filed a race discrimination charge from 01/09/96 to the present (Attachment) (fce) (Entered: 08/19/1996)

PACER
43 Aug. 28, 1996

MEMORANDUM, OPINION, AND ORDER (eav) (Entered: 09/04/1996)

PACER
44 Aug. 28, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 8/28/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Plaintiff's motion [41−1] to reconsider is denied. Enter memorandum opinion and order. Mailed notice (eav) (Entered: 09/04/1996)

PACER
45 Sept. 13, 1996

MINUTE ORDER of 9/13/96 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held and continued to 01/10/97 at 10:00 a.m. Discovery deadline set for 01/10/97. Plaintiff Belinda Taylor is dismissed as a plaintiff, nunc pro tunc, 08/28/96. Mailed notice (eav) (Entered: 09/19/1996)

PACER
46 Oct. 3, 1996

NOTICE OF APPEAL by plaintiff Belinda Taylor from Scheduling order Status hearing held and continued to 01/10/97 at 10:00 a.m. Discovery deadline set for 01/10/97. [45−1], from Scheduling order Plaintiff Belinda Taylor is dismissed as a plaintiff, nunc pro tunc, 08/28/96. [45−2], from motion minute order [45−3] ( $105.00 Paid) (fce) (Entered: 10/07/1996)

PACER
47 Oct. 3, 1996

DOCKETING STATEMENT by plaintiff Belinda Taylor regarding appeal [46−1] . (fce) (Entered: 10/07/1996)

PACER
Oct. 7, 1996

TRANSMITTED to the 7th Circuit the short record on appeal . Mailed notice to all counsel. (fce) (Entered: 10/07/1996)

PACER
48 Oct. 15, 1996

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of receipt of short record on appeal USCA 96−3506 (Attachments) (eav) (Entered: 10/16/1996)

PACER
49 Oct. 16, 1996

CERTIFIED copy of Order from the 7th Circuit. It is ordered that appellant shall file, on or before 10/25/96, a brief memorandum stating why this appeal should not be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. A motion for voluntary dismissal pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 42(b) will satisfy this requirement. Briefing shall be suspended pending further court order. (96−3506) (eav) (Entered: 10/17/1996)

PACER
Oct. 16, 1996

MAILED: Copy of certificates and transmittal letter with list of documents, regarding appeal [46−1] to counsel of record. (fce) (Entered: 10/16/1996)

PACER
Oct. 16, 1996

TRANSMITTED to the 7th Circuit the long record on appeal no. 96−3506 consisting one volume of pleading, one volume of exhibit (Item # 22) of Mailed notice to all counsel. (fce) (Entered: 10/16/1996)

PACER
50 Oct. 23, 1996

SEVENTH CIRCUIT transcript information sheet by plaintiff Charles O Robinson (fce) (Entered: 10/24/1996)

PACER
52 Dec. 26, 1996

CERTIFIED COPY of order from the Seventh Circuit: Dismissing the appeal [46−1] . ( 96−3506) (fce) (Entered: 12/30/1996)

PACER
Jan. 6, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 1/6/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing reset to 10:00 2/7/97 . No notice (drw) (Entered: 01/06/1997)

PACER
Jan. 9, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 1/9/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing reset to 10:00 1/10/97 . No notice (drw) (Entered: 01/09/1997)

PACER
55 Jan. 10, 1997

MOTION by defendant to compel plaintiff to comply with discovery requests (Exhibits); Notice of motion (Temporarily unavailable for docketing) (eav) (Entered: 01/23/1997)

PACER
53 Jan. 15, 1997

CERTIFIED copy of Order from the 7th Circuit. It is ordered that this appeal is Dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Generally, an appeal may not be taken in a civil case until a final judgment disposing of all claims against all parties is entered on the District's Court's civil docket pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 58. See Cleaver v. Elias, 852 F.2d 266 (7th Cir. 1988). The District Court did not enter a Rule 58 judgment in the present case. While the court dismissed one plaintiff from the action, the action continues in the District Court. Therefore, this appeal is premature. Appellant may appeal at the end of the case or upon entry of a partial judgment in compliance with Rule 54(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (96−3506) (eav) (Entered: 01/15/1997)

PACER
54 Jan. 15, 1997

LETTER from the 7th Circuit returning the record on appeal no. 96−3506 consisting of one volume of pleadings (eav) (Entered: 01/15/1997)

PACER
56 Jan. 21, 1997

MINUTE ORDER of 1/21/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Defendant's [55−1] hearing on motion to compel set for 02/18/97 at 10:00 a.m. Status hearing set for 02/18/97 at 10:00 a.m. No notice (eav) (Entered: 01/23/1997)

PACER
Feb. 25, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 2/25/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing reset to 10:00 3/7/97 . No notice (drw) (Entered: 02/26/1997)

PACER
Feb. 26, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 2/26/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing reset to 10:00 3/11/97 . No notice (drw) (Entered: 03/03/1997)

PACER
March 7, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 3/7/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held and continued to 10:00 5/5/97 . No notice (drw) (Entered: 03/10/1997)

PACER
57 March 31, 1997

MINUTE ORDER of 3/31/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Plaintiffs motion to compel is granted. [42−1] No notice (eav) (Entered: 04/03/1997)

PACER
58 May 5, 1997

TRANSCRIPT of proceedings for the following date(s): 03/07/97 before Honorable James B. Zagel (fce) (Entered: 05/06/1997)

PACER
May 5, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 5/5/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held and continued to 10:00 5/29/97 . In court notice (drw) (Entered: 05/16/1997)

PACER
May 16, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 5/16/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing reset on the court's own motion to 10:00 6/2/97 . Mailed notice (drw) (Entered: 05/16/1997)

PACER
June 2, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 6/2/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Status hearing held. Bench trial date to be set. In court notice (drw) (Entered: 06/11/1997)

PACER
59 June 4, 1997

TRANSCRIPT of proceedings for the following date(s): 05/05/97 before Honorable James B. Zagel (1 vol.) (ar) (Entered: 06/05/1997)

PACER
Sept. 4, 1997

SCHEDULE set on 9/4/97 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Bench trial set to 2:00 10/20/97 on the court's own motion. Mailed notice (drw) (Entered: 09/04/1997)

PACER
60 Sept. 22, 1997

MOTION by defendant for leave to file a summary judgment and postpone the scheduled trial date ; Notice of motion. (Temporarily unavailable for docketing) (fce) (Entered: 11/18/1997)

PACER
March 9, 1998

SCHEDULE set on 3/9/98 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Bench trial reset to 10:30 3/16/98 on the court's own motion. Mailed notice (drw) (Entered: 03/09/1998)

PACER
62 March 16, 1998

MINUTE ORDER of 3/16/98 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Bench trial held and concluded. Enter judgment in favor of defendant and against plaintiff. Terminating case. Mailed notice (mjc) (Entered: 04/23/1998)

PACER
63 March 16, 1998

ENTERED JUDGMENT (mjc) (Entered: 04/23/1998)

PACER
68 May 15, 1998

MOTION by plaintiff to reopen time for appeal ; Notice of motion (mjc) (Entered: 06/05/1998)

PACER
May 15, 1998

SCHEDULE set on 5/15/98 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Motion to reopen time to appeal hearing set for 10:15 5/21/98 . No notice (drw) (Entered: 05/18/1998)

PACER
69 May 21, 1998

MINUTE ORDER of 5/21/98 by Hon. James B. Zagel : Plaintiff's motion to reopen time for appeal is granted [68−1]. Mailed notice (mjc) (Entered: 06/05/1998)

PACER
64 May 26, 1998

NOTICE OF APPEAL by plaintiffs from judgment entered [63−1], from Scheduling order Bench trial held and concluded. [62−1], from Scheduling order Terminating case. [62−2], from motion minute order [62−3] ( $105.00 Paid) (fce) (Entered: 05/27/1998)

PACER
65 May 26, 1998

DOCKETING STATEMENT by plaintiffs regarding appeal [64−1] . (fce) (Entered: 05/27/1998)

PACER
May 27, 1998

TRANSMITTED to the 7th Circuit the short record on appeal . Mailed notice to all counsel. (fce) (Entered: 05/27/1998)

PACER
66 June 1, 1998

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of receipt of short record on appeal USCA 98−2333 (fce) (Entered: 06/02/1998)

PACER
67 June 2, 1998

SEVENTH CIRCUIT transcript information sheet (fce) (Entered: 06/02/1998)

PACER
June 9, 1998

TRANSMITTED to the 7th Circuit the long record on appeal no. #98−2333 consisting of one volume of pleadings with two volumes of transcripts of proceedings and one loose pleadings sent up under separate certificate. Mailed notice to all counsel. (pmp) (Entered: 06/09/1998)

PACER
70 June 11, 1998

CERTIFIED copy of Order from the 7th Circuit. It is ordered that both Appellants and Appellee shall file, on or before 6/22/98, a brief memorandum stating why this appeal should not be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. A motion for voluntary dismissal pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 42 (b) will satisfy this requirement. Briefing shall be suspended pending further court order. ( 98−2333) (mjc) (Entered: 06/12/1998)

PACER
71 July 1, 1998

CERTIFIED copy of Order from the 7th Circuit. ( 98−2333); It is ordered that this appeal shall proceed to briefing. (yap) (Entered: 07/07/1998)

PACER
72 July 27, 1998

TRANSCRIPT of proceedings for the following date(s): 01/10/96 and 03/16/98 Before Honorable James B. Zagel (Two volumes: 72−1 through 72−2) (mak) (Entered: 07/28/1998)

PACER
July 28, 1998

TRANSMITTED to the 7th Circuit supplement to appeal no. 98−2333 consisting of Two volumes of transcripts (Nos. 72−1 &72−2). Mailed notice to all counsel. (mak) (Entered: 07/28/1998)

PACER
73 March 22, 1999

CERTIFIED copy of Order from the 7th Circuit. ( 98−2333). On 2/22/99, plaintiffs−appellants filed a petition for rehearing with suggestion for rehearing en banc. All the judges on the original panel have voted to deny the petition, and none of the active judges has requested a vote on the suggestion for rehearing en banc. The petition is therefore denied. (rmm) (Entered: 03/23/1999)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 11, 1995

Closing Date: 1998

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are black applicants for correctional officers in Cook County.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Sheriff of Cook County

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:95-cv-02205

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Hiring

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Affected Race(s):

Black

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Recommended Citation