Document: 455 U.S. 422 102 S.Ct. 1148 71 L.Ed.2d 265 Laverne L. LOGANv.ZIMMERMAN BRUSH COMPANY et al. No. 80-5950. Argued Oct. 14, 1981. Decided Feb. 24, 1982. Syllabus The Illinois Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) barred employment discrimination on the basis of physical handicap unrelated to ability. To obtain relief, a complainant had bring charge unlawful conduct before Commission (Commission) within 180 days occurrence such alleged conduct. statute then gave 120 which convene factfinding conference evidence, ascertain parties' positions, and explore possibility settlement. Appellant, an employee appellee, was discharged purportedly because his short left leg made it impossible for him perform duties as shipping clerk. Appellant filed timely alleging termination employment, but apparently through inadvertence scheduled date 5 after expiration 120-day statutory period. denied appellee's motion that be dismissed failure hold conference. On appeal, Supreme Court held comply with convening requirement deprived jurisdiction consider appellant's charge, rejected argument federal due process equal protection rights would violated were Commission's error allowed extinguish cause action. Held: judgment is reversed, case remanded. 82 Ill.2d 99, 44 Ill.Dec. 308, 411 N.E.2d 277, reversed 1 Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court, concluding appellant protected property interest in violation Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Pp. 428-437. 2 (a) Appellant's right use FEPA's adjudicatory procedures species by Clause. Cf. Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 306, 70 652, 94 L.Ed. 865. hallmark individual entitlement grounded state law, cannot removed except "for cause," shares this characteristic. limitation procedural claimant's ability assert rights, not substantive element FEPA claim. 428-433. 3 (b) A consideration competing interests involved—the importance private length or finality deprivation, likelihood governmental error, magnitude interests—leads conclusion entitled have merits based upon substantiality available deciding whether terminate State's refusing request is, record, insubstantial. 433-435. 4 (c) availability post-termination tort action does provide process. It system itself destroys complainant's interest, operation whenever fails conference; challenging "established procedure" without according proper safeguards. Parratt Taylor, 451 527, 101 1908, 68 420, distinguished. Amendment requires " 'an opportunity . granted at meaningful time manner' 'for [a] hearing appropriate nature case,' Boddie Connecticut, 401 371, 378, 91 780, 786, 28 113, here opportunity. 435-437. BLACKMUN, separate opinion, joined BRENNAN, MARSHALL, O'CONNOR, concluded under "rational-basis" standard, statute, interpreted applied establish two categories—those processed prescribed thus full merits, otherwise identical claims terminated hearing—deprived laws. 438-442. 6 POWELL, REHNQUIST, while joining all broad pronouncements law BLACKMUN's also challenged classification, construed case, failed rationally related justify it, 443-444. 7 Gary H. Palm, Chicago, Ill., appellant. 8 Jay A. Canel, appellee. 9 Court.* 10 issue State may official, reasons beyond control, statutorily mandated procedure. 11 * 12 (FEPA Act), Ill.Rev.Stat., ch. 48, ¶ 851 seq. (1979), "physical ability." 853(a). established comprehensive scheme adjudicating allegations discrimination. begin process, allegedly discriminatory act. 858(a). statute—in provision directly here—then designed positions parties, negotiated 858(b). If found "substantial evidence" illegal conduct, attempt "eliminate effect thereof means conciliation," 858(c), and, if proved impossible, formal complaint against employer 858(d). adversary commissioner duly appointed adjudicator, who make findings empowered recommend reinstatement, back-pay, reasonable attorney's fees. 858.01. adjudicator did find substantial evidence discrimination, he dismissal charge. Ibid. 13 recommended order Commission. review any possible dispositions including initial determination complaint. file written decision. 858.02; Commission, Rules Regulations, § 4.5 (1979). still satisfied, could seek judicial order. 860.1 B 14 November 9, 1979, Logan, probationary hired one month previously, appellee Zimmerman Brush Company, Logan's Five later, acting pro se, been unlawfully handicap. App. 3. This triggered obligation 858(b) days; meant March 13, 1980. Apparently inadvertence, representative 18, five Notice meeting, mailed both parties January 1980, specified hearing's location declared attendance "required." It, however, allude limit. 5. asked company complete questionnaire concerning its practices, directed submit answers 10. objection. 15 When arrived, moved statutorily-mandated Id., 12. rejected. 16. thereupon petitioned original writ prohibition. That court stayed proceedings pending decision writ. 24. Logan meanwhile obtained counsel, and—because yet passed since act—filed second 26. 16 Before argued terminating claim conference—a matter Logan's, indeed company's, control—would violate But noted issue, 858(b), declared: "Within filing shall fact finding ." (Emphasis added.) legislative language mandatory, accordingly Co. Comm'n, 277 (1980). 17 controlling Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Comm'n 61, 623, 373 1307 (1978),2 where determined 858(c)'s 180-day deadline issuing mandatory; legislature wrote decision, used similar employed must intended limit jurisdictional well. result, reasoned court, comported statute's purposes facilitating "just expeditious resolutions disputes," Ill.2d, 107, Ill.Dec., 313, N.E.2d, 282, protecting employers 'from unfounded charges discrimination,' id., 106, 312, 281, quoting 851. 18 summarily redress said, "[t]he followed 108, 282. went rule same act allow proceed circumvent design frustrate public resolution disputes.3 108-109, 313-314, 282-283. 19 appealed, bringing Court. We probable jurisdiction. 450 909, 1345, 67 332 (1981). II 20 Jackson, writing 865 (1950), observed: "Many controversies raged about cryptic abstract words there can no doubt minimum they require deprivation life, liberty adjudication preceded notice case." S.Ct., 656. At outset, then, we are faced what has become familiar two-part inquiry: determine so, due. 21 first question, believe, affirmatively settled itself, Amendment's Clause.4 There, confronted challenge provided settlement common trust fund accounts fiduciaries, given newspaper publication. "every beneficiaries improper management fund." 311, 655. This, concluded, worked deprive by, among other things, "cut[ting] off their trustee answer negligent impairments interests." Such result impermissible unless constitutionally adequate into effect. 315, 657. Despite Company's arguments contrary, see distinction between procedures. 22 hardly novel one. traditionally Clauses protect civil litigants recourse courts, either defendants hoping plaintiffs attempting grievances. In Societe Internationale Rogers, 357 197, 78 1087, 1255 (1958), example—where plaintiff's trial court's order—the read "property" component Fifth impose "constitutional limitations power even aid own valid processes, dismiss affording party cause." 209, 1094. See Hammond Packing Arkansas, 212 322, 349-351, 29 370, 379-380, 53 530 (1909) (power enter default judgment); Hovey Elliott, 167 409, 841, 42 215 (1897) (same); Windsor McVeigh, 93 274, 23 914 (1876) (same). Wolff McDonnell, 418 539, 558, 2963, 2975, 41 935 (1974). Similarly, preventing States from denying potential procedures, when "the equivalent them heard claimed right[s]." 380, 787, 113 (1971).5 event, view follows logically Court's more recent cases analyzing interest. property, emphasized, Memphis Light, Gas Water Div. Craft, 436 1, 11-12, 98 1554, 1561-1562, 56 30 (1978); Goss Lopez, 419 565, 573-574, 95 729, 735-736, 725 (1975); Board Regents Roth, 408 564, 576-578, 92 2701, 2708-2709, 33 548 (1972). Once characteristic found, types varied often not, intangible, relating "to whole domain social economic fact." National Mutual Insurance Tidewater Transfer 337 582, 646, 69 1173, 1209, 1556 (1949) (Frankfurter, J., dissenting); Arnett Kennedy, 416 134, 207-208, n.2, 1633, 1670-1671, 40 (1974) (MARSHALL, U.S., 571-572, 576-577, 2705-2706, 2708-2709. See, e.g., Barry Barchi, 443 55, 99 2642, 61 365 (1979) (horse trainer's license protected); supra (utility service); Mathews Eldridge, 424 319, 96 893, 47 (1976) (disability benefits); (high school education); Connell Higginbotham, 403 207, 1772, (1971) (government employment); Bell Burson, 402 535, 1586, 90 (driver's license); Goldberg Kelly, 397 254, 1011, 25 287 (1970) (welfare benefits). 24 these characteristics. claimant than desire redressing grievance: guaranteed State, adequacy assessed essence, cause" evidence. And claim, presumably surrendered value, least education labeled supra.6 Certainly, remarkable reading "broad majestic ter[m]," 571, 2705, conclude horse Amendment, state-created not. nevertheless seemed believe come being until took deadline. Because arises reasoned, legislature's prerogative "procedures charge." analysis, misunderstands Constitution's guarantee. 26 Each our recognized, explicitly implicitly, "minimum [procedural] requirements [are] diminished deem determining preconditions adverse official action." Vitek Jones, 445 480, 491, 100 1254, 1263, 63 552 166-167, 1650-1651 (POWELL, concurring part); 211, 1672 dissenting). Indeed, destroy will virtually considered approach: 'While elect confer authorize once conferred, [T]he created analyzed constitutional terms.' 490-491, n.6, 1262-1263 167, 1650 (opinion part). 27 Of course, remains free create defenses immunities adjudication—or eliminate causes altogether—just amend welfare programs. much Martinez California, 444 553, 62 481 (1980), upheld California granting officials immunity certain claims. acknowledged grant arguably thereby just recipient adjusts benefit levels. U. S. Railroad Retirement Bd. Fritz, 449 166, 174, 453, 459, 66 368 (1980); Hisquierdo Hisquierdo, 439 572, 575, 802, 805, 59 (1979); Flemming Nestor, 363 603, 609-610, 80 1367, 1371-1372, 1435 (1960); Chase Securities Corp. Donaldson, 325 304, n.8, 315-316, 65 1137, 1141, 1142-1143, 89 1628 (1945). each provides due, Bi-Metallic Investment Equalization, 239 441, 445-446, 36 141, 142-143, 60 372 (1915); "remain[s] true fashioning rules paramount discernible perhaps citizen wholly arbitrary irrational." 557. Martinez, well "immunity defense, like merely aspect definition interest." n.5, 557, n.5. Ferri Ackerman, 193, 198, 402, 406, 355 FEPA, involves thing. right, turn him. As decisions emphasized again, grants aggrieved present fairly judged. Thus truism "some form hearing" required owner finally 570-571, 2704-2705, n.8 (emphasis original). why stressed that, "statutory makes liability important factor ., consistent prior hearing." 541, 1590. put plainly possible, giving putative entitlement.7 Seeid., 542, 1591. hand, timing hearing8 "will depend accommodation involved." 579, 738. These include 19, 1565, 334-335, 902-903; 335, 903; involved, ibid., 561-563, 2977-2978. 31 factors leads us retaining disproving employer's incompetence inability, and—more intangibly—in instance substantial. time, final; unlike whose lack procedure deprives persons random manner, necessarily presents unjustifiably high risk meritorious terminated. 32 There suggestion great number claimants position, directing unduly burdensome. eliminated mandatory requirement, n.1, supra, demonstrating longer appreciable defending issue. arguments, 420 (1981), contrary. negligently lost prisoner's hobby kit; prisoner suffered meaning situation, observed, "[i]t difficult conceive how takes place." 1916. suggests complaining type essentially therefore should remitted remedies Claims Act, 37, 439.1 allows "against damages sounding tort, lie person." 439.8(d).9 34 misses Parratt's point. Parratt, dealing "a tortious loss unauthorized some procedure." 1915. Here, contrast, conference—whether taken negligence, maliciousness, otherwise. reach situation. 545, 1918 (second opinion). Unlike 35 suggest absent necessity quick impracticality providing predeprivation process," post-deprivation inadequate. 19-20, 1565-1566; 570, n.7, 2704, n.7; 1591; 379, 786. 64-65, 2649-2650 (post-termination permitted reliable pretermination finding); 343-347, 906-908 particularly where, here, only comes independent action.10 Seeking suit apt lengthy speculative situation never entirely whole: reinstatement—as Company conceded oral argument, Tr. Oral Arg. 39—and successful vindicate treatment. Obviously, nothing said entitles every litigant case. erect triggering adjudication, statutes limitations, cf. 314-316, or, United Kras, 409 434, 631, 626 (1973). certainly accords terminates evidentiary rule. 351, 380; 278. What require, "is manner,' Armstrong Manzo, 380 552, 85 1187, 1191, (1965) added), 656." denied. III 37 Illinois, accordingly, remanded further inconsistent opinion. 38 so ordered. 39 whom O'CONNOR join. ante, considers decides favor. noted, raised briefed here. Although unnecessary discuss dispose decided favor, I regard sufficiently comment my part,1 inasmuch majority Members favorably inclined toward although, sure, constitutes face, unconventional Act's establishes explicit classifications expressly distinguish claimants, argues anyone injured misconduct. unambiguously divides claims—and thus, necessarily, claimants—into discrete groups accorded radically disparate complainants awarded administrative review. do receive period unceremoniously, finally, many words, categories claims, classification drawn For over century, engaged continuing occasionally almost metaphysical effort identify precise Equal Protection Clause's guarantees.2 level, "consistently legislation classify affects manner legitimate objectives." Schweiker Wilson, 221, 230, 1074, 1080, 186 standard meet sensibly good faith. "rational-basis 'not toothless one,' 234, 1082, Lucas, 427 495, 510, 2755, 2764, 49 651 (1976); classificatory "rationally advanc[e] identifiable objective." 235, 1083. need outer bounds test, runs afoul lowest level permissible scrutiny. 43 express purposes: eliminating "from discrimination." evident glance neither objectives advanced 858(b)'s provision. Terminating potentially obviously serve instances charges, frivolousness So far purpose concerned, stands precisely footing invalidated Lindsey Normet, 405 56, 862, struck down requiring tenant post double bond appealing forcible entry judgment. "The double-bond operates screen out frivolous appeals unpersuasive," bars nonfrivolous those unable meritless others afford bond." 78, 876. Accord, Rinaldi Yeager, 384 305, 310, 86 1497, 1500, 577 (1966). operate all, allowing complaints entire While "[n]o bright line foolish law," 243, 1087 (dissenting opinion), patently irrational light stated purposes. recognized third rationale 858(b): provision, resolutio[n]" disputes. 282 Insofar help settle frame issues efficient future resolution, undoubtedly correct. agree misscheduled rational way expediting 45 Most important, generally hasten processing ultimate controversies. issued complaint, limits take resolve stale function limitation; quarrel fashion. 46 true, serves expedite claims—those most obvious way, sense furthers disputes expeditiously. enough, Clause, say sought succeeded doing mere tautological recognition [the legislature] do." 180, 461, (1980) (STEVENS, judgment). system, treatment affected classes arbitrary. 1499 ("The nondiscriminatory application class establishes"). 178, 460. inquiry yields affirmative result. footing. Yet randomly selected too slowly irrevocably converts similarly situated dissimilarly ones, uses classification. very essence "[T]he 'imposes rationality singled out,' James Strange, 407 128, 140, 2027, 2034, 600 (1972), Rinaldi, 308-309, 1499-1500, analogous involving sex-based classifications, applicable now: preference "merely accomplish elimination hearings kind choice forbidden Reed Reed, 404 71, 76, 251, 225 (1971). 48 Finally, contained justified thinning caseload, aim encouraging hearings. rationale, suffers defect outlined above: draws method furthering purpose—if end—has attenuated connection goal amount something exercise strained imagination; ends precise, least, objective basis. 50 REHNQUIST joins, 51 now amended, little litigants. commenced isolated example bureaucratic oversight resulted denial One expected sort negligence toll held. terms jurisdictional. 52 presented, me, simple straightforward protection. am concerned implications expansive analysis. narrowly unusual facts.* effectively claimants: were, Under despite diligence presenting them, treated differently, depending neglected time. question it. 54 disposition promote end—or other—in way. possessed hearings, unfair punish so. asserted goals lawsuits. bore relationship underlying measured purpose. 55 repeatedly bear objectives. (1981); join JUSTICE comport minimal standard. sweep O'Connor joins post, p. 438. After inception litigation, Legislature repealed place Human Rights Act. 1979 Ill.Laws, P.A. 81-1216, later amended 1980 81-1267. new real estate financial transactions accommodations, employment. replaces agencies: Department Rights, 7-101 seq., responsibility investigating 8-101 reviews Department's holds complaints. modifies provisions; purposes, commits discretion 7-102(C)(3). revisions ruled retroactively. 282-283 Governors 143, 149, 524, 399 590, 593 Wilson All-Steel, Inc., 87 28, 897, 428 489 refused give retroactive discretionary. supra. Two years ago, 281-282, 556-557, "[a]rguably," "species 'property' Clause." access courts analysis supporting reasoning Boddie, basic "absent countervailing overriding significance, forced duty heard." 377, 785. Thus, imposition fees indigents seeking divorces deny (1973), agreed exists fundamental exclusive control adjustment [the] legal relationship[s]" involved. 445, 637. opinions instant clear relied large part guarantee individuals [of] 786; 377-378, 382, 785-786, 788. divorce action, theories different: having necessity, someone balance favors government scheme. An distinguishable enforcement conducted Labor Relations pursuant U.S.C. 151 proceeding, prosecution controlled NLRB's General Counsel, Counsel's refusal reviewable courts. NLRB Sears, Roebuck 421 132, 138-139, 1504, 1510-1511, (1975). suggest, infra, 437. merits. proceed; hearing, destroyed might remedy Opportunities Handicapped (EOHA), 38, 65-21 "other relief" discriminated 65-29. EOHA passed, latter disturb arising accruing July 9-102(B)(2). us, Logan; prejudicing 109, 314, 283, apply bar hesitate remit remedy. inadequacy irrelevant Ingraham Wright, 430 651, 97 1401, 711 (1977), students subjected corporal punishment school. "preserved 'has always land,' 679, 1416, Barnett, 376 681, 692, 84 984, 990, (1964), adding additional safeguards 680-682, 1417-1418. rationales available. practice common-law traditions. abandonment argue undue burdens "It suggested author [in assignment] instrument forego expression convictions." Wheeling Steel Glander, 562, 576, 1291, 1299, 1544 (separate Abbate States, 359 187, 196, 79 666, 671, 729 (1959) opinion); Helvering Davis, 301 619, 639-640, 57 904, 908, 81 (1937). "Members continue divergent views clarity appear degree deference afforded suiting ends. 243 n.4, (1981) expeditiously "aid[ing] setting up framework conciliatory follows." 212, 281. less me viewed conclusions justification, actual articulated proviso. note discussed text expressed representatives; Attorney General, brief Logan. necessary decide during Term grounds. Our areas criticized, justice, lacking consistency clarity. arise settings, nine Justices, ideal unlikely achieved. suppose agree—at theory unnecessarily statements doctrine frequently confuse clarify jurisprudence. adhered counsel restraint writing, imply criticism others. seem exposition.

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