Attorney General Sues Plasma Collection Company

JOLIET, IL—Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit Wednesday against one of the largest plasma collection companies in the world, which has 14 locations in Illinois including one location in Joliet at 1530 West Jefferson St. Raoul's federal lawsuit alleges that CSL Plasma's policies discriminate against people who have disabilities.

“CSL’s policies discriminate against people who have disabilities that attempt to provide plasma, which is all the more reprehensible during a time when our nation faces a public health emergency,” Raoul said in a statement. “I will hold accountable any entity that discriminates against people who request equal access and reasonable accommodations to which they are entitled by law.”

Raoul filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court against CSL Plasma, Inc., and its parent company, CSL Behring LLC, in response to complaints from Illinois residents who were prevented from providing plasma as a result of their disabilities. Raoul alleges CSL’s policies violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Besides Joliet, CSL Plasma has locations throughout Illinois, including Calumet Park, Champaign, Chicago, Decatur, Hazel Crest, Melrose Park, Montgomery, Normal, O’Fallon, Peoria, Rock Island, Rockford and Springfield. Eligible individuals can provide plasma up to twice per week, and CSL compensates donors approximately $70 for each 90-minute donation, according to the AG's Office.

The Attorney General’s office said it received a complaint in November 2018 from a resident who attempted to provide plasma at a CSL facility in Rockford. According to Raoul’s complaint, after the facility’s staff learned of the woman's service animal, she was told she did not meet donation criteria and directed to return at a later date.

When she returned the following day, she was told she could not provide plasma because she used a service animal, Raoul said. During the investigation, the Attorney General’s office found a copy of an internal CSL policy encouraging staff to discriminate against people with service animals.

In Wednesday's lawsuit, Raoul alleges that CSL’s discriminatory policies prevent people who are deaf or who use service animals from providing plasma and violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act. Raoul’s lawsuit asks the court to prohibit CSL from circulating or displaying discriminatory policies. Additionally, Raoul is seeking to require CSL to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications to donors with disabilities upon request, to require employees to undergo training on the ADA and disability awareness, as well as additional appropriate relief.

Assistant Attorney General Neil Kelley is handling the case for Raoul’s Disability Rights bureau.