Former road worker sues Campton Township

A former employee of the Campton Township Highway District has filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was fired because of a back injury.

The lawsuit, filed Monday by Sycamore resident Anthony Cvek, seeks unspecified damages for lost pay and benefits and emotional distress.

A highway technician for two years, Cvek hurt his back March 14, 2007, when he fell out of a maintenance vehicle, according to the lawsuit. About six weeks later, he began experiencing numbness on the left side of his body and asked a supervisor to be assigned "light duty tasks."

Because Cvek was told there were no such tasks available, the lawsuit said, he requested time off under the Family Medical Leave Act. Cvek was fired a week later.

"(Cvek) had an outstanding work history ... and was never subjected to disciplinary action until after he exercised his right to take medical leave," according to the lawsuit. After that, it claims, he was "subjected to discrimination and retaliation."

Campton Township officials said Thursday they could not comment on the lawsuit because it is a pending legal matter. Cvek's attorney, Robert M. Foote, could not be reached.

The highway district maintains roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in unincorporated Campton Township, just west of St. Charles. It also has provided similar services on a contractual basis to the recently incorporated village of Campton Hills.