$3.5M Settlement Reached in Homewood-Flossmoor High School Sexual Assault Case

Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233 has agreed to a $3.5 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by Amayah Blair, a former student who reported being sexually assaulted during a theater class in October 2022. The lawsuit alleged that school officials failed to protect Blair and did not respond appropriately after the incident, including a delay in notifying her mother and not providing immediate medical assistance. Blair's mother, Jessica Johnson, expressed frustration that the settlement did not involve an admission of wrongdoing by the district, emphasizing their desire for justice beyond financial compensation. The school district stated that the settlement is funded by its insurance and is not an acknowledgment of guilt. The incident sparked significant student activism and highlighted concerns regarding a culture of sexual violence within the school. Blair and Johnson hope the outcome will prompt changes to improve student safety and accountability within the district.