Opinion ID: 3173984
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Shakman Claims Against the City

Text: The Applicants complain that the City failed to utilize a “transparent” hiring process, allowing the City to manipulate the hiring process in an impermissible way. Although labeled a Shakman claim, the Applicants’ theory does not constitute a genuine claim under Shakman. To assert a viable Shakman Accord violation, the Applicants must allege that a political reason or factor was the cause of the adverse employment action. See, e.g., Shanahan v. City of Chicago, 82 F.3d 776, 780 (7th Cir. 1996); Cusson-Cobb v. O’Lessker, 953 F.2d 1079, 1081 (7th Cir. 1992); Smith, 769 F.2d at 410. Put plainly, the Shakman Accord prohibits political discrimination in employment, and the basis of a Shakman claim must be impermissible political discrimination. Looking at the plain language of the Applicants’ complaints (excluding Slowik at this point in the discussion) and accepting all facts as pleaded as true, the Applicants have failed to state a claim based on a violation of the Shakman Accord by failing 8 Nos. 14-2977 and 14-3573 to allege any facts whatsoever pertaining to political affiliation, beliefs, or activities. None of the Applicants alleged any facts that would constitute a claim of impermissible political discrimination. They have not alleged any facts pertaining to their political affiliations, beliefs, or activities. They have not alleged that the City knew the political affiliations, beliefs, or activities of any of the Applicants. They have not alleged that the City eliminated them from consideration for the position because of their political affiliations, beliefs, or activities. In addition, Applicants Bonnstetter, Gutierrez, Sauseda, and Fishwick failed to bring their Shakman claims within the appropriate statute of limitations period. A statute of limitations defense is properly considered in determining a Rule 12(b)(6) motion when the factual allegations in the complaint establish such a defense. See, e.g., O’Gorman v. City of Chicago, 777 F.3d 885, 889 (7th Cir. 2015); United States Gypsum Co. v. Indiana Gas Co., 350 F.3d 623, 626 (7th Cir. 2003) (citing Walker v. Thompson, 288 F.3d 1005 (7th Cir. 2002)) (“litigant may plead itself out of court by alleging (and thus admitting) the ingredients of a defense,” including statute of limitations). The limitations period for a Shakman claim is 180 days from the date of the discriminatory act. Smith, 769 F.2d at 413. In the case of the Applicants, the discriminatory act occurred when the Applicants learned they had been eliminated from eligibility. See, e.g., Smith, 769 F.2d at 413 (tolling of limitations period for Shakman claim begins when plaintiff demoted). Bonnstetter was notified of his ineligibility by e-mail on July 25, 2012, but filed his complaint on June 3, 2013. Gutierrez received his Nos. 14-2977 and 14-3573 9 rejection e-mail in December 2012, but his complaint was filed on October 14, 2013. Sauseda received his rejection letter on July 5, 2012, but his complaint was also filed October 14, 2013. Fishwick received his rejection letter on September 6, 2013, but filed his complaint on April 9, 2014. All of these Shakman claims were filed beyond the 180-day time limit and are therefore barred by the statute of limitations. C. Applicant Slowik’s Shakman Claim Against the City The only Applicant who potentially approaches a Shakman claim is Slowik. According to the FAC, Slowik was asked questions during his psychological examination regarding his veteran status, his experiences while serving in the United States Marine Corps, his combat record, and his beliefs and experiences regarding war. At this point we may reasonably infer that these questions attempted to elicit Slowik’s political views or beliefs. However, Slowik failed to allege any other facts supporting a claim of unlawful political discrimination. He alleges no facts showing what his answers to the questions were, that the City knew what his answers or political inclinations were, and, perhaps most importantly, that the City disqualified him from eligibility because of his answers or his political beliefs or activity. The allegations constituting Slowik’s Shakman claim do not rise above labels and speculation. In short, Slowik failed to state a Shakman claim. At any rate, res judicata precludes Slowik’s Shakman claim. Federal courts are to give full faith and credit, including any preclusive effects, to all judgments rendered in state courts that those judgments would have in those state courts. 28 U.S.C. 10 Nos. 14-2977 and 14-3573 § 1738; Allen v. McCurry, 449 U.S. 90, 96 (1980) (citations omitted). Here, Slowik filed a complaint against the City in Illinois state court asserting discrimination based upon his rejection from eligibility due to his “failing” of the psychological examination. Slowik dismissed his state complaint with prejudice. We review a dismissal based upon res judicata de novo. Chicago Title Land Trust Co. v. Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Sales, 664 F.3d 1075, 1079 (7th Cir. 2011) (citation omitted). Because Slowik’s dismissal occurred in an Illinois state court, we apply Illinois law pertaining to res judicata. Id. In Illinois, for res judicata to apply, “there must be (1) a final judgment on the merits rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction, (2) the same cause of action, and (3) the same parties or their ‘privies.’” Id. (citing Hudson v. City of Chicago, 889 N.E.2d 210, 215 (2008)). The tripartite requisites of Illinois res judicata are met here. Slowik alleged the same cause of action, a Shakman claim, against the same defendant, the City, in his state court action as in his federal action. His dismissal with prejudice constitutes a final judgment on the merits. 4901 Corp. v. Town of Cicero, 220 F.3d 522, 530 (7th Cir. 2000) (citations omitted); Torres v. Rebarchak, 814 F.2d 1219, 1223 (7th Cir. 1987) (citations omitted). Slowik argues that two equitable exceptions to res judicata should apply. First, Slowik argues the City acquiesced to his refiling of his claim in the federal action by failing to object. Such claim-splitting is permitted if the adverse party agrees or acquiesces to it. Walczak v. Chicago Bd. of Educ., 739 F.3d 1013, 1018 (7th Cir. 2014), (citing Restatement (Second) of Judgments Nos. 14-2977 and 14-3573 11 § 26(1) (1982)). However, there is no indication in the record that the City acquiesced to Slowik’s filing of the complaint in federal court. The City objected to the federal suit during the pendency of the state suit and asserted res judicata as an affirmative defense in all motions filed in the district court. There is no equitable reason why res judicata should not apply based on acquiescence. We note that Slowik and the City agreed to the order dismissing the administrative review complaint with prejudice in the Illinois state court. Had Slowik provided evidence that this agreement was based on an understanding with the City that he would pursue his claims in federal court, perhaps he could have prevailed on an acquiescence argument. In the absence of such a record, however, we cannot assume the City acquiesced. Second, Slowik argues, without citation to authority, that his claim should not be precluded because the Illinois state court lacked jurisdiction to hear Shakman claims and to provide the relief sought by him. This argument lacks merit. We have specifically held that “Illinois litigants seeking circuit-court review of administrative proceedings implicating events that also give rise to a federal civil-rights claim must join that claim with the judicial-review action in the circuit court,” as Illinois circuit courts have jurisdiction over federal civil rights claims. Walczak, 739 F.3d at 1017 (citations omitted). Therefore, we find no equitable reason why res judicata should not apply to bar Slowik’s Shakman claim. 12 Nos. 14-2977 and 14-3573