EDWARDSVILLE -- A Dollar General employee is suing the discount store chain, alleging she was discriminated against because of a disability.
Michelle Marshall filed suit Sept. 27 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dollar General and former Collinsville store manager Darnell Young, alleging violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act, which bars employers from discriminating against someone with a disability if they otherwise fulfill the responsibilities of the job.
Dollar General declined to comment on the litigation.
According to the complaint, Marshall worked for the Dollar General store from June 2017 to April 2018. She says she suffers from serious problems with her eyes, specifically progressive retinitis pigmentosa, which means she has little peripheral or night vision, and has difficulties identifying colors.
When Young was appointed store manager, Marshall made him aware she had some difficulties with the screen on the register, according to the complaint. The plaintiff alleges she asked for a screen magnifier but her request was declined. She also alleges she was unable to use a ladder to access products.
The suit states a short time after Young was appointed store manager, Marshall's hours were cut to four per week.
Her employment was terminated in April 2018 after she was accused of selling cigarettes without checking a customer's ID. The man was in his 60s, according to the complaint.
Marshall first complained to the Illinois Department of Human Rights, which granted her the right to sue.
The plaintiff alleges she was discriminated and retaliated against due to her disability. She seeks lost past and future wages, costs of suit and more than $50,000 in damages. She is represented by attorney John H. Leskera of the Leskera Law Firm in Collinsville.
Madison County Circuit Court Case number 2019-L-1376