|               NOTICE Decision filed 04/12/04. The text of this decision may be changed or corrected prior to the filing of a Petition for Rehearing or the disposition of the same.  | 		
NO. 5-03-0289
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
| ROBERT MEEHAN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ILLINOIS POWER COMPANY, Defendant-Appellant.  | 		) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  | 		Appeal from the Circuit Court of St. Clair County. No. 97-L-783A Honorable  | 	
JUSTICE WELCH delivered the opinion of the court:
On September 4, 1997, the plaintiff, Robert Meehan, filed, in the circuit court of St.Clair County, a complaint charging the defendant, Illinois Power Company, with havingviolated the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 (29 U.S.C.