Gay Chicago Fire Department Worker Gets Sexual Harassment Trial

Chicago must face trial on claims that it failed to adequately prevent and respond to sexual harassment experienced by a gay fire department employee at the hands of his deputy chief.

The ruling by the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in James Mundo’s case shows an employer won’t necessarily escape liability under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act for harassment by a co-worker just because it has anti-harassment measures in place. A jury could find the city responded promptly and effectively once Mundo officially complained about Janice Hogan, but other evidence could show the ...