Lester v. Department of Employment Security

Susan Lester (plaintiff) worked as a diverting coordinator at Purity Supermarketing for over seven years, earning $70,200 annually at 35 hours per week with benefits and quarterly bonuses, until her position was eliminated for financial reasons. Two months later, Purity offered her a similar position at the same $70,200 salary with comparable benefits and two annual bonuses, but requiring 40 hours per week at a location about 30 minutes farther away. Lester, competent to perform the new job, refused it because she was dissatisfied with the workload, commute, and reduced bonus frequency. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (defendant) denied her unemployment benefits, finding she'd refused suitable work without good cause, and the Board of Review and circuit court affirmed.