The Seventh Circuit held that Carter could could not establish necessary causal connection where there was 7-month gap between his return from FMLA leave of absence and date of appointment to acting department chair. Furthermore, fact that the decision-maker selected a second individual over Carter for a different appointment to same position did not create an inference of retaliatory animosity. Finally, Carter failed to present any evidence showing that he was equally or more qualified than person who was selected for the position.