Congratulations to shareholder Caroline Vickrey for achieving a significant win before the Illinois Human Rights Commission on behalf of a new client from Ohio. The matter involved an American with Disabilities Act claim filed by an Illinois-based sales representative for a plastic processing equipment company. The petitioner, a salesman for our respondent client, demonstrated declining sales after he moved to Illinois in 2018 and transitioned to an independent contractor status. Several clients had also complained about his behavior and poor attitude, and respondent was planning to end his employment as a salesman. In January 2024, petitioner was injured in a skiing accident and suffered torn ligaments in both knees. The injury impaired his ability to drive and visit clients, a key part of his job. Petitioner asked his employer for time off for physical therapy and for the ability to conduct sales meetings remotely. Respondent employer accommodated all of his requests but had already made the decision to terminate him as an exclusive salesperson. In October 2024 respondent discharged petitioner and he filed an Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) claim with the Illinois Department of Human Rights the following month. He claimed that respondent (A) discharged him on the basis of his disability caused by his serious knee injuries, and (B) retaliated against him for engaging in a protected activity. Representing the employer, Caroline argued that the petitioner failed to show that he was a disabled as defined by the IHRA. She also argued that there was insufficient evidence that the petitioner engaged in protected activity. The IDHR dismissed the claim in September 2025, due to lack of substantial evidence. Petitioner filed a Request for Review with the commission and last week it sustained the dismissal. Kudos to Caroline for doing a great job on behalf of this client!