The federal civil-rights lawsuit filed earlier this year against ECC has been dismissed after both parties agreed to end the case, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. 

The lawsuit, Anderson v. Elgin Community College, was brought by former truck driving program director Todd Anderson, who was employed from March 12, 2022, and alleges he was unlawfully terminated around July 24, 2024. 

Anderson pursued a lawsuit after receiving a Notice of Right to Sue from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The suit claims the college violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), alleging ECC wrongly terminated Anderson because of his disability, a claim the college has denied. 

The central conflict began on June 10, 2024, when Anderson formally notified ECC’s Chief Human Resources Officer of his HIV-positive status, requesting ADA protection and privacy.

The lawsuit details that Anderson’s HIV is a lifelong illness causing symptoms like fatigue, fever, and gastrointestinal issues, which substantially affect his major life activities. However, Anderson claims he was fully able to perform his job duties despite the condition.

On June 20, 2024, just ten days after the disclosure, ECC accused Anderson of improperly assigning himself work and immediately suspended him with pay. On June 24, 2024, shortly after his suspension, Anderson was terminated. 

The plaintiff, Anderson, claims that he had always been deemed a satisfactory employee and only began receiving negative performance reviews after disclosing his HIV status. He asserts that the way he divided his work hours was consistent with the practices of other college directors and teachers. 

Anderson argues his suspension was based on hostility related to his disability. As a result of the alleged discrimination and retaliation, Anderson is seeking relief including: back pay and front pay, loss of benefits, and compensatory and punitive damages.

Newly filed documents show the legal battle came to an abrupt close on September 10, 2025, when attorneys for both sides submitted a “Stipulation to Dismiss With Prejudice.” The filing states that the case is dismissed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure, which allows lawsuits to be terminated by mutual agreement without further action from the judge. 

A dismissal “with prejudice” means the lawsuit is permanently closed and cannot be refiled. According to the stipulation, each party will pay its own attorney’s fees and court costs, suggesting a negotiated resolution rather than a court-ordered judgment. 

Neither ECC nor Anderson’s attorneys have released public statements regarding the terms of the agreement, and no settlement details appear in the public record. Such confidentiality is common in civil rights and ADA disputes. 

The dismissal brings an end to a case that raised questions about disability accommodations on campus and how community colleges meet federal accessibility standards. While the lawsuit’s specific allegations never reach open court, the dispute highlights the ongoing challenges individuals with disabilities can face in navigating academic systems and requesting support.