Giamanco Declares Victory In Linda Youngs' Employment Lawsuit

BOLINGBROOK, IL - Bolingbrook attorney Joe Giamanco issued a press release Thursday announcing that this past spring's controversial firing of veteran DuPage Township employee Linda Youngs has ended favorably for his client. In April, Giamanco mounted a civil lawsuit against the DuPage Township trustees responsible for firing the long-time employee. One of the persons responsible for the firing was Alyssia Benford, who is running for state representative this November. The other two elected officials who voted with Benford were Dennis Raga and Maripat Oliver.

"All were alleged to have violated the Open Meetings Act. It was alleged that those violations resulted in the termination of long time employee Linda Youngs in a 3-2 vote. The suit sought the reinstatement of Ms. Youngs as well as payment of all costs and attorney’s fees incurred by Ms. Youngs," Giamanco's press release states.

According to Giamanco, the township board voted on May 15 to reinstate Youngs with backpay and benefits to the date of her termination. "Over the course of the following weeks attorneys for DuPage Township and Ms. Youngs’ attorney, Joe Giamanco of Giamanco Law Partners, reached a formal settlement agreement which included the payment of Ms. Youngs’ costs and attorney’s fees incurred in the pursuit of the case against the Township."

This past Tuesday night, June 12, the DuPage Township board voted unanimously to approve the settlement, the Bolingbrook lawyer noted.

“This was an outright win for Ms. Youngs and provided her with the exact relief her lawsuit sought, to undo the actions taken by three of the trustees in violation of the law and to reimburse her for all costs and attorney’s fees she incurred to pursue the matter. It’s frankly unfortunate that any lawsuit had to be filed. Prior to filing suit, we attempted to resolve this case with the Township, but our demands fell on deaf ears and left Ms. Youngs with no option other than to file," Giamanco declared.

According to Giamanco, there has been more funny business taking place at the township. “Someone from the Township intentionally deleted months of her emails, this is a clear violation of the Local Records Act. There appears to be some kind of a game being played by some within the Township and whether for personal or political reasons, it needs to stop or it will certainly result in further litigation," he added.

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Main image of Linda Youngs provided to Bolingbrook Patch with permission to use