The Commission adopted the ALJ's recommendations and awarded $25,000 to the Charging Party for emotional distress damages. The Commission further held that the Respondent failed to show that it acted with diligence when it failed to file a verified response, failed to show cause as to why it did not file that response, and failed to file request for review of default order, thus it showed deliberate disregard for IDHR's authority. The Commission denied the untimely request to vacate default order.
The Illinois Appellate Court affirmed.
While not an employment claim, the message reads loud an clear: Respondents (including employers) need to take the IDHR seriously.