Due Process Violation and Equal Protection Claim

By: Derek Hawkins//February 3, 2020//

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: Hosea Word v. City of Chicago, et al.

Case No.: 19-1320

Officials: FLAUM, RIPPLE, and HAMILTON, Circuit Judges.

Focus: Due Process Violation and Equal Protection Claim

Plaintiff Hosea Word is a sergeant and aspiring lieutenant in the Chicago Police Department (CPD). Having just missed out on a promotion following the 2006 lieutenants’ examination, Word missed the cut again after receiving a lower-ranking score on the 2015 examination. Word alleges that high-ranking members of CPD leadership connived to sneak early test content to their “wives and paramours” prior to the 2015 exam, resulting in those romantic partners acing the test and receiving promotions. The district court dismissed Word’s constitutional due process and equal protection claims, as well as his breach of contract claims. Illinois and federal caselaw squarely preclude Word’s case. We affirm.

Affirmed

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Derek A Hawkins is trademark corporate counsel for Harley-Davidson. Hawkins oversees the prosecution and maintenance of the Harley-Davidson’s international trademark portfolio in emerging markets.

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