Urbana resident Lynn Sprout and Carle Foundation Hospital reached an agreement during the penalty phase of Sprout’s case that charged the hospital with firing her for being a lesbian, according to the Daily Illini.
Sprout was fired in March 2002 and filed a complaint with the city of Urbana, alleging that Carle had violated the city’s human-rights ordinance, which prohibits sexual orientation discrimination. Although Carle argued that Sprout was fired because of poor job performance, the Urbana Human Relations Commission—which handles Human Rights Ordinance cases—concluded in late 2004 that Carle was guilty of discrimination. Sprout withdrew her complaint from the commission April 27 after reaching a settlement with Carle.
According to a Windy City Times article published in October, 2004, Sprout argued that the hospital violated City of Urbana codes by not providing her with coverage and bereavement leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act and by ending her employment. She said she was fired after revealing her homosexuality to a co-worker and taking time off to care for her then-life partner, who was suffering from terminal cancer.
The details of the settlement have not yet been made public.