A Knox County woman has sued Connect Transit for alleged sex-discrimination and wrongful termination. Emily Pyle claims the Normal-based public transportation agency failed to adequately accommodate post-pregnancy complications, then fired her.
The Jan. 3 filings with the Peoria division of the U.S. Central District of Illinois allege violations of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Court documents indicate Pyle was hired as a dispatch supervisor for Connect Transit in November 2023. She claims she developed cervical cancer and abnormal bleeding following the birth of her son in April 2024. Following maternity leave, she returned to work in August 2024 but continued having debilitating symptoms of her disease. After a hospitalization, the complaint said, Pyle requested and was granted time off in October for surgical treatment.
Pyle claims Connect Transit human resources manager Stephanie Butler needlessly delayed the filing of paperwork for a short-term disability claim, delaying the process and causing her to miss the scheduled surgery. She will receive the needed procedure next month, court filings said.
According to court records, Pyle requested a meeting, at which Butler allegedly accused her of falsifying her need for a medical furlough. Two days later, Pyle was terminated. The complaint alleges male employees needing workplace accommodations for medical treatment were not similarly scrutinized.
Pyle is seeking payment plus interest for lost income, attorney and court fees and punitive damages.
“While we do not comment on specifics of pending litigation, we do look forward to vigorously pursuing justice for our client,” Nathan Volheim, an attorney representing Pyle, said in an email.
At publication time, requests for comment from Connect Transit managing director David Braun and HR manager Stephanie Butler had not immediately been returned.
