HALL v. CITY OF CHICAGO

The opinion of the court was delivered by: John W. Darrah, United States District Judge.

Plaintiff Anna Hall ("Hall") filed a one-count Second-Amended Complaint against Defendant City of Chicago ("the City") for sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VII"), as amended 42 U.S.C. § 2000(e) et seq., and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. (2A. Compl.).

Defendant has moved for summary judgment pursuant to FED.R.CIV.P. 56. For the reasons that follow, the Court GRANTS Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment.

LEGAL STANDARD

Summary judgment is proper "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." FED.R.CIV.P. 56(c); Patel v. Allstate Insurance Co., 105 F.3d 365, 367 (7th Cir. 1997). The movant bears the initial burden of establishing that the record presents no genuine issue of material fact. Essex v. United Parcel Service, Inc., 111 F.3d 1304, 1308 (7th Cir. 1997). Then the burden shifts to the non-moving party to "set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." FED.R.CIV.P. 56(e).

The nonmovant cannot succeed in creating a factual dispute solely by resting on allegations in the pleadings but must produce evidence showing there is a disputed issue for trial. Selan v. Kiley, 969 F.2d 560, 564 (7th Cir. 1992). In order to withstand summary judgment, the non-moving party "must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts." Matsushita Elec, Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586(1986). Only genuine disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude summary judgment. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 248(1986).

FACTS

Considering the undisputed facts from the parties' Local Rule 56.1(a) & (b) statements of material facts (referred to herein as "Pl.'s 56.1" and "Def.'s 56.1") and drawing all reasonable inferences from the evidence in Plaintiff's favor, the facts, for purposes of resolving the summary judgment motion, are as follows.*fn1

On May 9, 1994, Plaintiff Anna Hall received her plumbing license, after successfully passing the plumbing examination. (Pl.'s 56.1 ¶ 4). She had worked as an apprentice plumber for five years before taking the test. (Pl.'s 56.1 ¶ 6). Plaintiff began working for the City of Chicago Department of Water as a plumber on August 16, 1995. (Def's 56.1 ¶ 13). Since May, 1997, Plaintiff has been employed as a plumber at the Department's Bureau of Water Pipe Distribution for the South District. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 14).

Richard Green is the General Superintendent in charge of the South District. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 36). Reporting to him is District Superintendent Mulbe Dillard, Sr. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 36). Assistant District Superintendent Flenory Barnes reports to Dillard. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 36). Four District Foremen report to Barnes. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 36).

Acting foremen are individuals designated to assume the role and responsibilities of a foreman when there is a vacancy within a District and a pressing need to have it filled. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 27). The General Superintendents of the Districts are responsible for selecting individuals that they deem to be qualified to take the position. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 27). There is no formal application process for the position of acting foreman. (Pl.'s 56.1 ¶ 21, 22). Often, friends of the supervisors are named to be acting foremen. (Pl.'s 56.1 ¶ 21, 22). Plaintiff has never been named to be an acting foreman. (Pl.'s 56.1 ¶ 34).

Promotional Procedure

Each candidate is interviewed by one or more individuals who usually hold supervisory positions within the Water Department. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 42). The interviewers do not see the personnel file of any applicant at any time. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 43). Each applicant is interviewed separately. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 44). Each interviewer is responsible for documenting his or her assessment of a candidate's qualifications. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 46). The interviewers rank the candidates in different categories, assigning scores of 1 to 5. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 46). Using a formula explained on the ratings sheets, the rankings are totaled to attain a composite score. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 46). There is an additional form entitled, "Interviewer's Evaluation of Applicant." (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 46). It provides space for the interviewer to insert handwritten comments about the candidate's previous work experience. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 46). The interviewer also circles one of three categories describing the candidate as "below requirements," "meets requirements," or "exceeds requirements." (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 36). After the interviews are concluded, a document is generated by the Bureau secretary listing all applicants who were interviewed for the position and their respective overall ratings. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 47). The Commissioner of the Department generally approves hiring the candidate with the highest overall rating score without conducting any independent review of that candidate's qualifications. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 50).

Plaintiff's Interview Experiences

In August of 1997, Plaintiff submitted a bid application for a District Foreman of Water Pipe Construction position. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 52). No interviews were conducted. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 52). On or about December 8, 1997, Plaintiff was notified by letter that the position would not be filled. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 52).

In August of 1997, Plaintiff submitted a bid application for a Plumbing Inspector position in the Department of Water. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 53). No interviews were conducted. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 53). On or about December 12, 1997, Plaintiff was notified by letter that the position would not be filled. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 53).

In January of 1998, Plaintiff submitted a bid application for a Foreman of Water Pipe Construction position. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 54). Thereafter, the bid was canceled. (Def.'s 56.1 ¶ 54). On or about January 29, 1998, Plaintiff was notified by letter that no ...