A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a major utility company, alleging violations of federal and state laws. Shawnte' Spates filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on July 3, 2024, accusing Ameren Corporation of multiple infractions.
The lawsuit claims that Ameren Corporation violated the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Illinois Whistleblower Act, and committed intentional infliction of emotional distress. Spates alleges that during her employment from June 2022 to March 2023, she faced unfair labor practices and hostile working conditions after participating in a group grievance process. Despite being placed on a promotional track to advance from Electrical Designer I to Electrical Designer II, Spates claims she was denied necessary tasks for promotion and received an unjust negative performance appraisal.
Spates asserts that her mental health deteriorated due to these actions, leading to diagnoses of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and major depressive disorder. She sought accommodations under ADA but was allegedly denied by Ameren Corporation. The plaintiff also contends that her requests for reassignment away from a supervisor who exacerbated her condition were ignored. Furthermore, while on FMLA leave from March 2023 to September 2023, Spates was required to provide weekly updates to the same supervisor responsible for her distress.
In addition to seeking injunctive relief against future violations of FMLA and ADA by Ameren Corporation, Spates is demanding compensatory relief for pain and suffering caused by severe mental distress. She is also pursuing punitive damages aimed at deterring similar behavior by the defendant in the future. Specifically, she seeks $3 million in damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Representing herself pro se, Shawnte' Spates has requested a jury trial on all triable issues. The case is presided over by Judge David W. Dugan under Case ID #3:24-cv-01654-DWD.