Illinois Bureau of Investigations employees stalked woman, suit claims

A woman claims employees for the Illinois Bureau of Investigation struck her vehicles multiple times while they attempted to stalk her.

Lovita Gatlin filed a lawsuit April 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the state of Illinois and the Illinois Bureau of Investigation.

Gatlin claims she drove a 1997 Plymouth Neon and a 1996 Hyundai from 2004 until 2011. During the time that she owned the vehicles, Gatlin claims Bureau of Investigation officers were investigating her for vehicular endangerment, but would cut her off numerous times while doing so, hitting her bumpers.

Gatlin does not clearly state why she filed her lawsuit, but says she needed to file the suit to prevent further damages.

"To further ignore this complaint is to give the citizens of Illinois (individuals of multiple birth) the green light to do whatever they want to do, and even everyday life without that gift some citizens can get sometimes dim-witted, foolish, obtuse, and ridiculous," the suit states.

As a result of the officers stalking her, Gatlin sustained severe and permanent injuries, mental pain and anguish, according to the complaint. In addition, she says she suffered physical attacks "as a form of scare tactics by among others, male Illinois citizens twice her size and had to endure these assaults on a daily basis," the suit states. Gatlin has also incurred medical costs and property damages and sustained a damaged earning capacity, the complaint says.

In her complaint, Gatlin is seeking an unspecified judgment, plus damages for malice and psychological trauma and punitive damages.

Gatlin will be appearing pro se.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-185.