Frankfort Cop Files 2nd Complaint Over Pregnancy Discrimination

FRANKFORT, IL — A 15-year veteran patrol officer for the Frankfort police is accusing the department of discriminating against her during her pregnancy. This is the second time Jennifer Panattoni has filed a discrimination complaint against the Frankfort Police Department.

According to the Sept. 13 complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union's Illinois branch, Panattonni was not allowed to modify her duties her duties while pregnant, the Daily Southtown reports. She also was not given protective gear, such as body armor, that fit her during this time, the report added.

When Panattonni asked to be assigned to light duties, she was told there were none, the report stated. However, she claims that when she suggested alternative tasks, the department told she would need to take a pay cut, the report added.

"Yet again, I’ve been forced to choose between a job I love and carrying my pregnancy safely to term," Panattoni said in a statement." They accommodate other officers who need temporary modified duties, but because I am pregnant, I have been forced off the job. It’s very sad that my department doesn’t respect pregnant officers enough to treat me like any other police officer."

RELATED: Frankfort Police Department Discriminated Against Pregnant Cop: Lawsuit

This new complaint is similar to the federal discrimination lawsuit the ACLU filed on her behalf in September 2017. In that lawsuit, she claims she was not given equipment that fit properly and was told she needed to take maternity leave if she couldn't do her job.

The 2017 lawsuit hasn't been ruled on, Amy Meek, a staff attorney for the ACLU, told the Southtown. However, a 2016 Equal Opportunity Commission discrimination complaint filed by Panattoni was dismissed. The decision, though, is non-binding and doesn't affect Panattoni's other complaints.

Village Administrator would not talk directly about the lawsuit to the Southtown. But he did say that the village is "strongly committed to a discrimination free workplace" and that the village would defend itself against the claims.

"Both the village and the department have long maintained and enforced comprehensive equal employment opportunity policies and strictly prohibit retaliation against employees who engage in protected conduct under those policies," Piscia said in a statement.

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Photo via Frankfort Police Department | Village of Frankfort