Homophobic Comments, Harassment Alleged By Ex-Mokena Firefighter

MOKENA, IL — A former firefighter paramedic at the Mokena Fire Protection District has filed a lawsuit against the fire district after he says several homophobic comments were said to him by various district officials. The lawsuit was filed by Justin Bakker, citing acts of sexual discrimination and harassment, violations of the fire district's company policy and violations to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Bakker first started working for the fire district in 2011. In court documents, the first incident is alleged to have taken place Dec. 22, 2015. Bakker was sitting at a kitchen table with another firefighter/paramedic and he was talking about renting out his current home. The lawsuit claims that Mokena Fire District Assistant Chief Joe Cirelli overheard the conversation.

Bakker was planning on renting his house to another firefighter, and court documents claim Cirelli said, "Well, at least someone will be getting some action in the house. Well at least someone will be getting some action with a girl, at least."

Bakker did not respond to the conversation, and later that day filed a complaint with his union representative, according to court documents. A week later, Cirelli, Fire Chief Howard Stephens, the union representative and Bakker met. Bakker was told by Stephens that Cirelli's behavior was unacceptable and it wouldn't happen again, court documents state.

The next incident detailed in the lawsuit took place on July 4, 2018, at Mokena's Fourth of July parade. Bakker claims he and other firefighters were lined up for the parade, and firefighters were discussing Mokena's first gay pride event and talking about uniform shirts the firefighters would receive for "cancer month and supporting the troops." Court documents state that William Haas, president of the board of trustees for the fire district, then spoke to Bakker in front of the other firefighters and told him he was going to get Bakker a rainbow-colored shirt and that "[Bakker] would wear it with all kinds of pride."

At his next shift, Bakker contacted his union president and complained to him about Haas' comments. According to court documents, Bakker saw Haas meet privately with Stephens, and no further action was taken.

The lawsuit also details an Aug. 21, 2018, incident that occurred during a training session with Bakker and nine other firefighters. The session was being taught by Fire Marshal Lt. Mark Sickles. According to court documents, the training involved fire alarm panels used at retirement homes in the fire district. During the training, Sickles said there was a sheet of paper to be placed on the front of the panel to tell how the fire department was to use it.

Court documents state Bakker asked Sickles if they could change the paper to different colors to make it easier to understand what use the panel would be for the fire department. Sickles said, "How about we change the color to pink just for you, you like that color, don't you?" and then told Bakker to "shut up."

According to court documents, a meeting was held several hours later about the incident and Bakker, the union president, Stephens and Sickles were present. Sickles admitted to saying the comments and apologized.

After this incident, Bakker told Stephens again he believed he was being "targeted" by the fire district, court documents state. The incidents were repeatedly calling into question his sexual orientation, and the lawsuit states Bakker is heterosexual.

Due to these incidents, court documents state Bakker left the Mokena Fire Protection District "fearing his own safety and mental health." The lawsuit calls the conduct of the fire district "extreme and outrageous" and says the district intended to "inflict severe distress on Bakker."

Bakker has requested a trial by jury on the matter.