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Settlement Reached In Mining Discrimination Suit

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Foresight Energy LLC
Foresight Energy Mines involved in the suit.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commision says it has resolved two lawsuits against a group of affiliated coal mining companies accused of hiring practices that effectively excluded women from working in the underground mines and in other coal production positions.

Two lawsuits alleged that various coal companies didn't hire some applicants for underground and production jobs because of their gender.

Illinois Department of Human Rights spokesperson Mike Theodore says under the settlement...the companies will hire more than 30 female workers and pay damages.

"At the end of the day these lawsuits were a major victory for gender equality in a historically male dominated profession. This is really an example of what can happen when discrimination is challenged using state or federal law."

The companies named in the suit included Sugar Camp Energy in Franklin County and Williamson Energy in Williamson and Franklin counties.

If you believe you have been discriminated against for jobs, housing, financial credit and more... visit the department's website at: illinois dot gov slash dhr.

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