Margaret M. Carver and Randall S. Carmean v. Sheriff of Lasalle County, Illinois, and Lasalle County, Illinois

Margaret Carver and Randall Carmean hold a federal judgment for $500,000 as the result of a settlement in this case, which arises under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The settlement was reached with the Sheriff of LaSalle County, in his official capacity (for Title VII covers “employers” and not agents). Because the Sheriffs Office lacks funds to pay the judgment, plaintiffs tried to collect from LaSalle County, which denied any obligation.

The district court agreed with the County’s position, which left plaintiffs unable to collect their judgment. We asked the…