A statewide class action has been filed against the Illinois Department of Corrections and its employee, Michael McManus, on behalf of all past and present female employees of the department who allege they have been discriminated against on the basis of their sex. The class members allege that the department has engaged in systematic and malicious discrimination against female employees and that Michael McManus has acted in concert with the Department of Corrections. The action is brought under the federal civil rights act as well as Illinois tort law. The employees are seeking compensatory, statutory and punitive damages as well as injunctive and declaratory relief. The employees are also seeking an order from the court modifying the department's hiring, promotion and pay practices.

This action arises out of the alleged wrongful termination and unequal treatment of female employees of the Illinois Department of Corrections. The class members assert that the department discriminates against its female employees in the manner in which it hires, promotes and pays them. The employees also claim that they are treated unfairly and disrespectfully while on the job. The employees allege that defendant Michael McManus has acted in concert with the Department of Corrections and has perpetrated many of the alleged illegal acts. The class members assert that McManus acted in a systematically vengeful, spiteful and discriminatory manner against female employees.

The causes of action against the department are brought under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. The action against McManus is brought under the civil rights act, the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution, and state tort law for interference with the employees' employment contract. The employees have asked the court to exercise its ability to oversee state law claims as well as federal law claims.