Former Huntley employee sues over firing

A former Huntley employee is suing the village in federal court, saying she was fired while she was on medical leave.

In a lawsuit filed earlier this year, Carol J. Adams, 47, of McHenry, seeks unspecified damages and legal fees from the village, which fired her on Oct. 11, 2007, according to the suit.

The complaint alleges Adams' supervisors fired her when a health issue forced her to go on medical leave for three weeks. Adams says she was suffering from vertigo and two inner-ear viruses, rendering her unable to drive and perform her duties as a water meter reader.

Federal law allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year if they have a medical condition that prevents them from doing their jobs.

Adams was hired on Aug. 5, 2004, and was terminated when she was still on medical leave, according to the suit.

The suit also claims Adams' employer discriminated against her because of her gender and medical condition.

"Harassment was constant and started the day after I was hired," Adams writes in her complaint. "I loved the job, but I hated the village," she said this week.

Huntley Village Manager Dave Johnson declined to comment on the allegations but said, "To the best of our knowledge, the case isn't going anywhere."

Adams said she is hoping to settle the matter out of court. A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for Oct. 2.