Title: Former High School Student Sues Naperville for $20 Million Over Alleged Discrimination

In a recent development, a 21-year-old woman named Amara Harris has filed a $20 million civil rights discrimination lawsuit against the city of Naperville and two members of its police department. Harris, who was accused and later cleared of stealing AirPods from a classmate while in high school, claims she endured years of pain and suffering while trying to clear her name.

The lawsuit, filed on May 21 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, highlights Harris' allegations of being a victim of a law enforcement system that unfairly targets Black students for minor infractions. According to Harris, her ordeal began in 2019 when her AirPods went missing while she was a junior at Naperville North High School.

Upon spotting a pair of AirPods which she assumed to be hers, Harris took them. However, when it was brought to her attention that the serial number matched another student's AirPods, she turned them in to the school dean. About two weeks later, a school resource officer from the Naperville Police Department ticketed her for allegedly stealing the AirPods. Harris denied the accusation and refused to pay the $100 fine.

This incident marked the beginning of a lengthy legal battle that lasted nearly four years. Finally, last year, a jury found Harris not liable for violating the local ordinance against theft, bringing an end to her legal ordeal. However, the impact on her mental well-being during those years was significant, as she describes feeling anger, sadness, and a sense of being targeted.

Harris' mother, Marla Baker, speaks of her daughter's struggles with depression and anxiety, causing her to withdraw from her once outgoing personality. However, Harris is determined to overcome these challenges and rebuild trust in others. Her attorney, Todd Yeary, emphasized the importance of seeking justice for Harris and highlighted the need to address potential racial bias in law enforcement that can lead to civil rights violations.

The lawsuit draws attention to a larger issue as a ProPublica investigation published in 2022 found that Black students in Illinois are ticketed at a higher rate than their white counterparts. Harris' case is seen as an example of how racial bias in law enforcement can result in unfair treatment and potential civil rights violations.

Having recently graduated from Spelman College with a degree in international studies, Harris now aims to work with local leaders and state lawmakers to bring about policy changes in how resource officers operate in schools across Illinois. She hopes to create a system that is fair and unbiased, ensuring equal treatment for all students.

Naperville City Attorney Mike DiSanto stands by the actions of the police and school officials, stating that they handled the situation appropriately. He asserts that the allegations made in the lawsuit are without merit and that the city and its officers are ready to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on the court proceedings to determine the outcome of Harris' lawsuit, potentially paving the way for significant changes in how law enforcement interacts with students in schools.