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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Mudge grants motion to compel in days leading up to pre-trial of retaliatory discharge suit against Millennium Rail Inc.

Mudge

Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge has granted a motion to compel filed by the plaintiff in a retaliatory discharge suit brought against Millennium Rail Inc. and Watco Companies that is set to see a jury July 18.

Mudge is also scheduled to hold a pre-trial conference in the suit filed by plaintiff William Sinclair July 14 at 9 a.m.

Sinclair is suing his former employers alleging that they attempted to coerce him into giving up his right to continued employment following an injury and then fired him.

The defendants deny the claims.

Sinclair is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and other relief on claims that include alleged violations of the Illinois Human Rights Act and Illinois Whistleblower Act.

According to his suit, the plaintiff developed osteoarthritis in both his thumbs in May 2006.

He then sought workers' compensation.

He claims he was fired by the defendants two months after an arbiter entered a $105,000 settlement in Sinclair's favor.

In the July 8 order, Mudge finds for Sinclair on the issues contained in the motion to compel.

The judge orders the defendants to produce an attorney requested by the plaintiff for deposition.

Mudge also finds that he will allow depositions and discovery on issues related to the case and then will rule on the admissibility of the evidence unearthed at a later date.

The suit's trial is set to begin Monday at 9 a.m.

A previous January trial date in the 2010 suit was pushed off.

Lee Baron represents Sinclair.

James Paul represents the defendants.

The case is Madison case number 10-L-358.

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