Caterpillar, Inc. v. Human Rights Commission

Caterpillar, Inc. (Caterpillar), appeals from an order of the circuit court of Tazewell County which denied Caterpillar’s motion for summary judgment and affirmed a decision of the Illinois Human Rights Commission (Commission) in its entirety. Caterpillar also appeals from the order and decision of the Commission which was affirmed by the court below. We reverse.

Madeline Burwell (Burwell) was hired by Caterpillar on September 25, 1978, as a radial drill operator. Burwell, like other Caterpillar employees, was placed on 30 days’ probation when she was hired. She cut her finger while operating…