Two Elgin Community College police officers have filed a federal lawsuit against the school over alleged discrimination they say they faced while working under former ECC police Chief, Emad Eassa. The lawsuit was filed Sept. 12, 2017. The two officers pursuing the lawsuit against the school are Tami Haukedahl and William Powell.

“It is shocking that this type of discrimination is happening at an institution of higher learning,” said Peter M. Katsaros, attorney for both Haukedahl and Powell.

According to the complaint, retired chief of police, Emad Eassa would yell at the two officers while using overtly sexist and racist language. The officers also claim that they faced salary discrimination that they believe was “race-based.”

According to the officers and their lawyer, when they attempted to file complaints against Eassa through the school nothing was done.

“They pursued actions through the Board of Trustees and got nowhere. They got to the trustees and gave my clients no relief. In my legal opinion, they approved the discrimination,” said Katsaros.

After the officers had filed their complaints against Eassa through the school, Eassa retaliated by giving the officers unfavorable shifts and ostracizing the officers, according to the complaint. Dr. Sam, Elgin Community College President, released a statement concerning the lawsuit.

“Elgin Community College does not ordinarily comment on matters of litigation. The employees in question have elected to pursue their claims in court, as is their right. While we respect their right to do so, the College also respectfully disagrees with the claims raised in the recently filed lawsuit. Despite the College’s position, I want to stress that, like all College employees, the employees in question remain fully protected by the College’s policy that prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind,” said Dr. Sam.

There has been no further comment from Elgin Community College regarding the lawsuit since the release of Dr. Sam’s statement. The officers seek punitive and compensatory damages as well as back pay over the alleged failure to pay equal wages.