Equip for Equality represents Sarah Hamilton, a woman with autism, low vision and a seizure disorder who uses a service animal. Sarah and her mother Debbie were denied equal access to Café Descartes, located in downtown Chicago, simply because Sarah uses a service animal. Sarah and Deborah filed a complaint with the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR). Recently, a hearing officer found that discrimination occurred and recommended the following relief:
–> Injunctive Relief
- Café Descartes must develop a written service animal policy within 30 days from the date of the Commission’s Order
- Café Descartes must install written notices on the entrances that service animals are welcome
- The written policy must be distributed to all employees/management
- All employees/administrative personnel must attend a mandatory training on the rights of people in all protected classes, including people who use service animals
- Café Descartes must provide CCHR with proof of compliance
–> Actual damages (emotional distress) plus interest
- Sarah = $5,500
- Debbie = $3,000
–> Punitive Damages
- Sarah = $3,000
- Debbie = $3,000
- Fine of $1,000
–> Attorneys’ fees and costs
For more details see the Recommended Ruling on Liability and Relief (PDF)
