Case: EEOC v. BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, INC.

2:98-cv-02036 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois

Filed Date: Feb. 12, 1998

Closed Date: 2000

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In February 1998, the EEOC district office in Chicago, Illinois brought this suit against Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., an international tire manufacturer, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Two male employees, one Baptist and the other Catholic, alleged that the defendant failed to reasonably accommodate their religious belief of not performing manual labor on Sundays and thereby violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, both men were subject to s…

In February 1998, the EEOC district office in Chicago, Illinois brought this suit against Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., an international tire manufacturer, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Two male employees, one Baptist and the other Catholic, alleged that the defendant failed to reasonably accommodate their religious belief of not performing manual labor on Sundays and thereby violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, both men were subject to shift-realignments which caused their Monday to Friday schedules to include Sundays. However, the defendant made numerous attempts to accommodate both men. For example, shift-swaps, leaves of absence to wait for seniority positions, and reassignment to other positions. The main obstacle in this case was that both men's beliefs precluded them not only from working on Sundays, but also from asking other men to work for them.

In May of 2000, the court granted the defense motion for summary judgment, holding that the defendant acted reasonably in its effort to accommodate. E.E.O.C. v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., 95 F. Supp. 2d 913 (C.D. Ill. 2000). The EEOC appealed the ruling, but the appeal was withdrawn in August of 2000.

Summary Authors

Jason Chester (6/15/2007)

People


Judge(s)

Bernthal, David G. (Illinois)

McCuskey, Michael Patrick (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Carson, June Wallace (Illinois)

Hendrickson, John C. (Illinois)

Kamp, Jean P. (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant
Judge(s)

Bernthal, David G. (Illinois)

McCuskey, Michael Patrick (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:98-cv-02036

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. Bridgestone/Firestne

March 18, 2002

March 18, 2002

Docket
35

2:98-cv-02036

Opinion: Order

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.

May 18, 2000

May 18, 2000

Order/Opinion

95 F.Supp.2d 95

Resources

Docket

Last updated March 14, 2024, 3:11 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT (no summons(es) issued) case referred to Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 02/13/1998)

Feb. 12, 1998

Feb. 12, 1998

2

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of June Carson, Jean Kamp & John Hendrickson for plaintiff EEOC (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 02/13/1998)

Feb. 12, 1998

Feb. 12, 1998

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Chief Judge Michael M. Mihm Case reassigned to Judge Michael P. McCuskey (KC, ilcd) (Entered: 04/14/1998)

April 14, 1998

April 14, 1998

6

WAIVER OF SERVICE returned as to defendant Bridgestone/Firestone. Date waiver sent: 2/24/98; Answer due on 4/24/98 (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 04/28/1998)

April 20, 1998

April 20, 1998

3

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE by Frances Prell and Robert Vyverberg for defendant Bridgestone/Firestone (MB, ilcd) (Entered: 04/24/1998)

April 24, 1998

April 24, 1998

4

ANSWER by defendant Bridgestone/Firestne (MB, ilcd) (Entered: 04/24/1998)

April 24, 1998

April 24, 1998

5

CERTIFICATE OF INTEREST pursuant to Local Rule 11.3 filed by defendant Bridgestone/Firestne (MB, ilcd) (Entered: 04/24/1998)

April 24, 1998

April 24, 1998

7

ORDER re Rule 16 and FRCvP 26 by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal. Rule 16 conference is set at 9:00 on 7/23/98 by personal appearance in Urbana, IL. See written order. (cc: all counsel) (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 05/14/1998)

May 14, 1998

May 14, 1998

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal. The Rule 16 conference scheduled for 7/23/98 at 9:00 a.m. was incorrectly listed in the 5/14/98 Order as being scheduled by personal appearance. The 7/23/98 Rule 16 conference at 9:00 a.m. is scheduled by TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL. All other directives in this Court's Order of 5/14/98 remain in effect. (cc: all counsel) (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 07/21/1998)

July 21, 1998

July 21, 1998

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal. Rule 16 conference held 9:00 7/23/98 , apr of pltf thru June Carson, apr of deft thru Robert Vyverberg. Court adopts Parties Joint Report of Planning Meeting. Depo's will not be noticed by either party before 10/1/98. Retained experts disclosed from pltf 2/1/99 and from deft 3/5/99. Expert depo's to be completed by 5/7/99. Parties allowed until 1/8/99 for amendment of pleadings and joinder of addt'l parties. All discovery to be completed by 6/30/99 . Mtn filing ddl of 7/30/99 for filing case dispositive motions . See Joint report. Settlement conf option and Consent to Magistrate Judge option offered to parties. (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 07/23/1998)

July 23, 1998

July 23, 1998

8

PROPOSED DISCOVERY PLAN filed by plaintiff, defendant (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 07/24/1998)

July 24, 1998

July 24, 1998

9

PROPOSED DISCOVERY PLAN (captioned as Joint Report of Parties' Rule 26(F) Planning Meeting) filed by plaintiff EEOC, defendant Bridgestone/Firestne (SJ, ilcd) (Entered: 07/27/1998)

July 27, 1998

July 27, 1998

10

STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER filed and entered by Judge Michael P. McCuskey (SEE ORDER) (cc: all counsel) (VB, ilcd) (Entered: 03/01/1999)

March 1, 1999

March 1, 1999

11

UNOPPOSED MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for extension of discovery deadline (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 06/24/1999)

June 24, 1999

June 24, 1999

ENDORSED ORDER on its face by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal granting motion for extension of discovery deadline [11-1] . Discovery cutoff is extended to 9/30/99 . Dispositive motion deadline is extended to 11/1/99 . (cc: all counsel). (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 06/25/1999)

June 24, 1999

June 24, 1999

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal. A telephone status hearing is scheduled at 2:00 on 10/15/99 for the purpose of establishing the final pretrial conference hearing and jury selection/jury trial dates. The Court will initiate the call. (cc: all counsel) (KW, ilcd) (Entered: 10/06/1999)

Oct. 6, 1999

Oct. 6, 1999

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal. Status hearing held at 2:00 on 10/15/99 . Appearance of pla by June Wallace Carson. Appearance of dft by Frances Prell. Dft to file motion for summary judgment. Pla allowed 21 days to respond. Matter set for final pretrial conference at 1:30 on 2/24/00 by personal appearance before Magistrate Judge David G. Bernthal. Matter set for jury selction and jury trial at 9:30 on 3/6/00 before Judge Michael P. McCuskey sitting in Urbana, IL. Option to consent to Magistrate Judge and settlement conference offered to attorneys. (cc: all counsel) (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 10/18/1999)

Oct. 15, 1999

Oct. 15, 1999

12

AGREED MOTION by plaintiff EEOC and defendant Bridgestone/Firestne to extend time to file dispositive motions until 11/8/99 (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 10/22/1999)

Oct. 22, 1999

Oct. 22, 1999

ENDORSED ORDER on its face by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal granting motion to extend time to file dispositive motions until 11/8/99 [12-1]. Mtn filing ddl of 11/8/99 . EEOC has until 11/29/99 to respond to dispositive motions. (cc: all counsel). (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 10/26/1999)

Oct. 25, 1999

Oct. 25, 1999

14

MOTION by defendant Bridgestone/Firestne for summary judgment (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 8, 1999

Nov. 8, 1999

15

MOTION by defendant Bridgestone/Firestne for leave to file a memorandum of law in excess of 15 pages, Instanter (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 8, 1999

Nov. 8, 1999

16

STATEMENT OF FACTS (undisputed) by defendant Bridgestone/Firestne in support of motion for summary judgment [14-1] (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 8, 1999

Nov. 8, 1999

17

EXHIBITS to Dft's Statment of Undisputed Facts in support of its Motion for Summary Judgment filed by defendant Bridgestone/Firestone (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 8, 1999

Nov. 8, 1999

13

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for leave to file instanter motion for partial summary judgment, statement of undisputed facts, exhibits and memorandum in support of motion for partial summary judgment (VB, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 9, 1999

Nov. 9, 1999

ENDORSED ORDER on its face by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal granting motion for leave to file instanter motion for partial summary judgment, statement of undisputed facts, exhibits and memorandum in support of motion for partial summary judgment [13-1] (cc: all counsel). (VB, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 9, 1999

Nov. 9, 1999

18

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for partial summary judgment (VB, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 9, 1999

Nov. 9, 1999

19

MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT of motion for partial summary judgment [18-1] by plaintiff EEOC (VB, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 9, 1999

Nov. 9, 1999

20

STATEMENT OF FACTS (undisputed) by plaintiff EEOC in support of motion for partial summary judgment [18-1] (VB, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 9, 1999

Nov. 9, 1999

21

EXHIBITS to motion for partial summary judgment for plaintiff EEOC stored in file (VB, ilcd) (Entered: 11/09/1999)

Nov. 9, 1999

Nov. 9, 1999

22

MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT of motion for summary judgment [14- 1] by defendant Bridgestone/Firestne (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 11/10/1999)

Nov. 10, 1999

Nov. 10, 1999

23

AGREED MOTION by plaintiff and defendant to set aside identical deadlines for responses to cross-motions for summary judgment (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 11/17/1999)

Nov. 17, 1999

Nov. 17, 1999

ENDORSED ORDER on its face by Judge Michael P. McCuskey granting motion to set aside identical deadlines for responses to cross- motions for summary judgment [23-1], response to motion for partial summary judgment [18-1] and motion for summary judgment [14-1] is due by 12/3/99. (cc: all counsel). (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 11/23/1999)

Nov. 23, 1999

Nov. 23, 1999

24

RESPONSE in opposition by defendant Bridgestone/Firestne to motion for partial summary judgment [18-1] (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/03/1999)

Dec. 3, 1999

Dec. 3, 1999

25

RESPONSE by defendant Bridgestone/Firestone's Statement of Facts [20-1] (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/03/1999)

Dec. 3, 1999

Dec. 3, 1999

26

STATEMENT OF Additional FACTS ( undisputed) by plaintiff EEOC (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/03/1999)

Dec. 3, 1999

Dec. 3, 1999

27

RESPONSE by plaintiff EEOC to Dft's Statement of Undisputed Facts [16-1] (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/03/1999)

Dec. 3, 1999

Dec. 3, 1999

28

MEMORANDUM IN RESPONSE by plaintiff EEOC to motion for summary judgment [14-1] (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/03/1999)

Dec. 3, 1999

Dec. 3, 1999

29

EXHIBITS to Plaintiff's Statement of Additional Undisputed Facts for plaintiff EEOC (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/03/1999)

Dec. 3, 1999

Dec. 3, 1999

30

REPLY by plaintiff EEOC to Dft's Memorandum in Opposition to pla's motion for partial summary judgment [18-1] (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/10/1999)

Dec. 10, 1999

Dec. 10, 1999

31

RESPONSE by defendant Bridgestone/Firestone to Pla's Statement of Additional Undisputed Facts [26-1] (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/16/1999)

Dec. 16, 1999

Dec. 16, 1999

32

REPLY by defendant Bridgestone/Firestone in support of its motion for summary judgment [14-1] (SLJ, ilcd) (Entered: 12/16/1999)

Dec. 16, 1999

Dec. 16, 1999

33

MOTION by defendant Bridgestone/Firestne to continue pretrial conference and trial (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 01/25/2000)

Jan. 25, 2000

Jan. 25, 2000

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Judge Michael P. McCuskey setting motion to continue pretrial conference and trial [33-1] at 10:15 2/3/00 by telephone. The court will initiate the call. If counsel for any party needs to be contacted at a number other than his or her regular office telephone number, please notify the court prior to 2/3/00. (cc: all counsel) (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 01/28/2000)

Jan. 28, 2000

Jan. 28, 2000

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Judge Michael P. McCuskey. Hearing held 2/3/00 on motion to continue pretrial conference and trial [33-1]. Appearance of plaintiff by June Wallace Carson. Appearance of defendant by Robert Vyverberg; the court grants the motion to continue pretrial conference and trial [33-1]. The final pretrial set 2/24/00 is vacated; the final pretrial conference is reset to 1:00 5/10/00 before Honorable Michael P. McCuskey; the jury selection and jury trial set 3/6/00 is vacated; the jury selection and jury trial is reset to 9:30 5/30/00 before Honorable Michael P. McCuskey. Estimated length of trial is 4-5 days. Parties to notify the court by 2/11/00 about consent to magistrate. (cc: all counsel) (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 02/03/2000)

Feb. 3, 2000

Feb. 3, 2000

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Judge Michael P. McCuskey. The docket entry dated 2/3/00 is hereby corrected. The 2/3/00 docket entry incorrectly scheduled the final pretrial conference for 5/10/99. The correct setting for the final pretrial conference is 1:00 5/19/00 by personal appearance. (cc: all counsel) (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 02/07/2000)

Feb. 7, 2000

Feb. 7, 2000

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Mag. Judge David G. Bernthal. Atty Vyverberg advised on 2/14/00 that the parties will not consent to the Magistrate Judge but will proceed before US District Judge Michael P. McCuskey. (cc: all counsel) (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 02/14/2000)

Feb. 14, 2000

Feb. 14, 2000

34

ORDER by Judge Michael P. McCuskey setting final pretrial conference 1:00 5/19/00 and jury trial 9:30 5/30/00 by personal appearance before Honorable Michael P. McCuskey, 201 S Vine St, Urbana, IL. See written order for final pretrial directives. The parties shall submit an agreed set of jury instructions by 5/12/00. Instructions upon which the parties are unable to agree shall be submitted separately by the parties. (cc: all counsel) (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 03/28/2000)

March 28, 2000

March 28, 2000

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Judge Michael P. McCuskey. On the court's own motion, the final pretrial conference set 1:00 5/19/00 is reset for 2:30 5/24/00 before the Honorable Michael P. McCuskey, Courtroom A, 201 S Vine St, Urbana, IL. (cc: all counsel) (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 04/27/2000)

April 27, 2000

April 27, 2000

MINUTE-ENTRY: by Judge Michael P. McCuskey. This matter is before the court on both EEOC's motion for summary judgment (18) and Bridgestone/Firestone's motion for summary judgment (14). The court will deny EEOC's motion and will grant Bridgestone/Firestone's motion. As a result, the final pretrial conference is vacated 2:30 5/24/00 and the jury selection and jury trial is vacated 9:30 5/30/00 . A written opinion addressing the parties' claims and arguments in detail will be forthcoming shortly. (cc by mail and fax : all counsel) (MT, ilcd) Modified on 05/12/2000 (Entered: 05/12/2000)

May 12, 2000

May 12, 2000

36

JUDGMENT in a civil case entered. Pursuant to order entered 5/18/00 judgment is entered in favor of the defendant and against the plaintiff. Each party shall bear its own costs. (cc: all counsel) (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 05/18/2000)

May 18, 2000

May 18, 2000

37

NOTICE of APPEAL by plaintiff EEOC from Dist. Court decision [36- 1] (cc: all counsel) (KM, ilcd) (Entered: 07/18/2000)

July 17, 2000

July 17, 2000

38

NOTICE OF FILING notice of appeal and docketing statement by plaintiff EEOC (KM, ilcd) (Entered: 07/18/2000)

July 17, 2000

July 17, 2000

39

JURISDICTIONAL DOCKETING STATEMENT filed by plaintiff EEOC (KM, ilcd) (Entered: 07/18/2000)

July 17, 2000

July 17, 2000

40

SHORT RECORD ON APPEAL sent to USCA (KM, ilcd) (Entered: 07/18/2000)

July 18, 2000

July 18, 2000

41

Notification by USCA of Appellate Docket Number 00-2845 (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 07/24/2000)

July 24, 2000

July 24, 2000

42

MANDATE from USCA dismissing the appeal [37-1] pursuant to motion to dismiss filed by appellant. (MT, ilcd) (Entered: 08/22/2000)

Aug. 21, 2000

Aug. 21, 2000

ARCHIVES FILE sent to FRC, Chicago on 3/6/02, Accession No. 021 02 0032 Box No. 15 of 53 Location 875935 875987 (KW, ilcd) (Entered: 03/18/2002)

March 18, 2002

March 18, 2002

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 12, 1998

Closing Date: 2000

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (Decatur, Illinois), Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Accommodation / Leave

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discrimination-basis:

Religion discrimination

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits