Benuzzi v. Board of Educ. of City of Chicago, 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 14904

Benuzzi is a long-serving CPS custodian, promoted to Grade V-II in 2004 and serving as engineer-in-charge at Pershing West Magnet School.
Cheryl Watkins, an African American principal, was hired in 2005 at Pershing and clashed with Benuzzi over scheduling and authority.
Watkins issued cautions and a 15-day suspension process for various incidents; Benuzzi repeatedly contested through union appeals.
Benuzzi sustained a period of missed time and a shoulder-to-desk escalation that culminated in multiple suspensions and a formal disciplinary process.
Benuzzi filed EEOC charges in 2006-2007 alleging gender (and later race, age, disability) discrimination and retaliation; this suit followed after a right-to-sue letter in 2009.
The district court granted summary judgment to Watkins/Board on discrimination claims, but the retaliation claim was later remanded for trial after finding genuine issues of material fact regarding post-deposition actions.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether Board/Watkins violated Title VII gender discrimination law.	Benuzzi argues pretext and disparate treatment based on gender.	Board/Watkins contend actions were nondiscriminatory and based on conduct; no gender animus shown.	Affirmed summary judgment on discrimination; no evidence of gender animus.
Whether Board/Watkins retaliated against Benuzzi for EEOC filings and related actions.	Benuzzi asserts protected activity caused adverse actions; timing supports causation.	Defendants contend actions were disciplinary or administrative; timing alone insufficient.	Vacated summary judgment on retaliation; remanded for trial due to genuine issues of material fact.

McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973) (framework for proving discrimination using indirect method)
Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Ry. v. White, 548 U.S. 53 (2006) (materially adverse actions standard for retaliation claims)
Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., Inc., 530 U.S. 133 (2000) (pretext analysis and ultimate burden on plaintiff)
Vance v. Ball State Univ., 646 F.3d 461 (7th Cir. 2011) (hostile environment and discrimination standards in Seventh Circuit)
Lang v. Ill. Dept. of Children & Family Servs., 361 F.3d 416 (7th Cir. 2004) (causation and setup in retaliation analyses)
Lloyd v. Swifty Transp., Inc., 552 F.3d 594 (7th Cir. 2009) (adverse action not just a written reprimand without impact)
Casna v. City of Loves Park, 574 F.3d 420 (7th Cir. 2009) (causation and timing in retaliation cases)
Argyropoulos v. City of Alton, 539 F.3d 724 (7th Cir. 2008) (timing and inference in causal links)
Johnson v. Cambridge Indus., Inc., 325 F.3d 892 (7th Cir. 2003) (adverse actions and terms/conditions of employment)