Van Milligen v. Dept. of Employment SEC.

# Van Milligen v. Department of Employment Summary **What Happened** Van Milligen filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Bond Drug Company and Walgreens Company after losing his job. To challenge his termination through Illinois's administrative system, he needed to follow specific legal procedures, including naming certain parties as defendants within a strict 35-day deadline. **The Court's Decision** The court sided with the employers. It dismissed Van Milligen's case because he failed to include the Board of Review as a defendant within the required 35-day timeframe. The court refused to allow him to fix this mistake by adding the Board of Review later, and this decision was upheld on appeal. **Why This Matters** This case highlights how important procedural deadlines are in employment disputes. Workers pursuing wrongful termination claims must carefully follow all legal requirements and meet strict filing deadlines. Missing deadlines or failing to name required parties—even by oversight—can result in losing your case entirely. Workers should consult with someone familiar with employment law before filing complaints to ensure they follow proper procedures.