Firefighter suing Schaumburg for age discrimination

A Schaumburg firefighter/paramedic has filed suit against the village, claiming age discrimination led to his removal as the fire department’s public education officer three years ago.

Scott Kody is seeking reinstatement as public education officer, back pay for time missed and reimbursement of the legal fees related to his litigation through the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.

Kody’s attorneys could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The federal lawsuit doesn’t give Cody’s age, only stating he is over 40.

According to the lawsuit, Kody joined the Schaumburg Fire Department in December 1982 and worked as public education officer from 1984 until he was removed from that position in September 2009.

In April 2009, he also was removed from various other positions, including the open house program and school program, the suit states.

The lawsuit claims Kody was subjected to ageist statements from superiors and was encouraged to retire as public education officer because he was “getting up in age.”

Village Manager Ken Fritz said the village previously responded to Kody’s filings with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and is currently preparing a response to his lawsuit.

“We don’t believe there was any ageism involved,” Fritz said. “We don’t believe the village did anything wrong.”

Fritz said performance was the basis of Kody’s removal from the job as public education officer and believes that the position is held today by someone older than Kody.

Kody continues to serve the village as a firefighter/paramedic.