Civil lawsuit filed for physical and emotional abuse of a non-verbal special needs 7-year-old at a Rockford, IL elementary school

Civil lawsuit filed for physical and emotional abuse of a non-verbal special needs 7-year-old at a Rockford, IL elementary school

CHICAGO (August 20, 2025) – All children are precious and deserve the protection of adults, teachers and other trusted individuals, but care and concern are even more critical when a child has special needs and is unable to speak or advocate on their own behalf. Unfortunately, as detailed in a new civil lawsuit filed by the law firms of Romanucci & Blandin and JEM Law Advocates, such a non-verbal, special needs child was both physically and emotionally abused by a teacher at a school in Rockford, Illinois, Public School District 205. Because this child is unable to speak on their own behalf, this lawsuit aims to hold parties accountable for this egregious behavior.

Case Background

John Doe is a 7-year-old child who is non-verbal and diagnosed with autism. He was enrolled as a student in the “PLUS Program” at Rolling Green Elementary School in Rockford, Illinois District 205. The child was a student in the classroom of Special Education Teacher Dawn Gillis. On November 7, 2024, this child was physically assaulted by his teacher in retaliation for his behavior as a special needs student. The assault has harmed this child in numerous ways and derailed the child’s education and social-emotional well-being, as well.

On December 7, 2024, Defendant Gillis was arrested by the Rockford Police Department and subsequently charged for the physical assault of John Doe, case number 2024-CF-0003057 pending in Winnebago County.

Lawsuit Details

The lawsuit was filed August 19, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the 17^th Judicial Circuit, Winnebago County, Illinois. The complaint seeks a trial by jury.

The plaintiff is John Doe’s mother, and she is represented by Romanucci & Blandin Senior Partner Michael E. Holden, Romanucci & Blandin Attorney Isabella A. Mazzanti, and JEM Law Advocates Principal Attorney TiShaunda McPherson. Romanucci & Blandin has extensive experience representing victims of abuse in academic settings including: Students subjected to hazing on high school sports teams and at the collegiate level; survivors of sexual abuse in school, religious and scouting environments; and multiple students harmed when a school nurse in suburban Arlington Heights, Illinois, swapped the childrens’ prescription medication. Likewise, JEM Law Advocates has specialized expertise in protecting the rights of students with special needs and representing individuals subjected to discrimination based on race, sex, and disability, among other protected categories.

Defendants include: Rockford Public School District 205, District 205 Special Education Administrator Brett Vosburgh individually and as an agent of Rockford Public School District 205, Rolling Green Elementary School, Rolling Green Elementary School Principal Amy Powell individually and as an agent of Rolling Green Elementary School, and Special Education Teacher Dawn Gillis, individually and as an agent of Rolling Green Elementary School.

The counts in the complaint include: Willful and Wanton Conduct, Negligent Hiring and Retention – Willful and Wanton, Negligent Supervision – Willful and Wanton, Battery, Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress and violations of the Family Expense Act.

“As a parent, I find the allegations detailed in our lawsuit to be abhorrent, but as an attorney I see it through a different lens, and identify a path to accountability not only from the classroom special education teacher, but also from her principal, the individual who oversees special education in the district as well as from the school and district broadly. It is deeply damaging to disrupt the education of a child, as every day and stage are critical for them to reach their highest potential,” said Senior Partner Michael E. Holden of Romanucci & Blandin. “Importantly, the child in this case is non-verbal and is unable to speak for themselves or tell their parents what happened in that classroom, so our lawsuit speaks on this child’s behalf. Further, it raises critical questions about how other non-verbal students in this classroom or district have been treated. We encourage anyone with information or questions to contact our legal team.”

“This complaint seeks justice for the physical harm done to this special needs, non-verbal child, as well as for the infliction of emotional distress. The conduct of the defendants was willful and wanton, and the active choices to both harm this child and then protect the aggressor are deeply distressing and we are committed to securing justice for this child,” said Principal Attorney TiShaunda McPherson of JEM Law Advocates.

“Since the incident at Rolling Green Elementary on November 7, 2024, we have observed a significant decline in our child’s emotional well-being and behavior. Initially, our child exhibited severe anger, withdrawal, and agitation. The loss of the routine and safety they once enjoyed has left our child feeling distressed and, presumably, reluctant to attend school, a stark contrast to their previous excitement. Following this event, my child was denied access to education and the subsequent struggles with the school district regarding their re-entry to school have been marked by repeated violations of our child’s rights, as confirmed by the Illinois State Board of Education,” stated the Plaintiff, mother of John Doe.

Learn more about legal options involving civil rights violations and school abuse.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards.  Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured.  We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.

About JEM Law Advocates, P.C.

JEM Law Advocates is a Chicago-based litigation and advocacy firm dedicated to advancing justice, equity, and accountability. We represent individuals and families in complex legal matters involving civil rights, employment discrimination, workplace fairness, and education law, including school discipline, special education, sexual harassment and misconduct, and unsafe or inequitable learning environments. Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience and have successfully resolved cases through negotiation, settlement, and trial, achieving results that protect rights and uphold responsibility.

What sets JEM Law Advocates apart is our client-centered approach, depth of experience, and unwavering commitment to justice. We view each case as an opportunity not only to achieve legal victories but also to confront systemic inequities and amplify the voices of those who have been silenced or overlooked. Whether in court or through resolution outside of it, we are driven by the needs of the families and individuals we represent and remain committed to making a meaningful impact in their lives. For more information about JEM Law Advocates, please visit jemlawadvocates.com or call (312) 883-5235.