Hot Topics
Illinois automated license plate reader camera scans aren't unconstitutional searches, judge says
A federal judge in Chicago tossed, for now, a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois' network of automated license plate readers, accusing the state of installing implementing an unconstitutional "dragnet surveillance" system. The judge said the Fourth Amendment doesn't prevent license plate reader scans.
Lawsuits
'Baseless targeting': Internal review shows feds sought to punish Townstone over radio comments
Lawsuits
Lawsuit: Champaign abortion doc left 'half of pre-born baby' in woman's body post-abortion
An Ohio doctor, who runs an abortion clinic in Champaign, has been accused of severely injuring a woman during an abortion, by allegedly perforating her uterus and leaving half of the unborn baby lodged in her pelvis, and then ignoring her requests for help amid the complications
Lawsuits
Judge: Fed transportation law doesn't shield paratransit company from IL genetic privacy class action
A federal judge ruled employers can follow federal rules on screening prospective drivers without violating Illinois' genetics privacy law, meaning transportation companies can't use federal law and regulations to beat potentially costly class action lawsuits for asking about drivers' family medical histories.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker used his annual State of the State Address to lash out at President Donald Trump and his supporters - potentially including more than 40% of all Illinoisans - calling them all 'Nazis.' Such rhetoric was as irresponsible as it was inflammatory, stoking only more hatred and division, said Mark Glennon
Lawdragon names Cozen O’Connor’s Shaw among Top 500 leading U.S. bankruptcy and restructuring lawyers
CHICAGO, July 17, 2023 — Lawdragon has named Chicago attorney Brian Shaw, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Restructuring practice, to its 2023 list of the Top 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers.
Cozen O’Connor attorney Matt DiCianni honored with Rising Stars Award from the National Immigrant Justice Center
Matt DiCianni, a labor and employment associate at Cozen O’Connor, has been honored with a Rising Stars Award from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC).
Federal Court
Plaintiffs Accuse Damenzo's Pizza & Restaurant of Overtime Violations
A group of employees has filed a collective action lawsuit against Damenzo's Pizza & Restaurant in Chicago for allegedly failing to pay proper overtime wages in violation of federal and state labor laws.
Federal Court
Plaintiff Alleges Discrimination by Former Employer Monk Fruit Corp
Marissa Ovassapian has filed a lawsuit against Monk Fruit Corp., alleging gender-based pay discrimination and religious discrimination during her tenure as an Operations Manager at the company.
Federal Court
Plaintiff alleges racial discrimination by former employer City of Chicago
Chris Logan has taken legal action against his former employer, City of Chicago, citing racial discrimination and retaliation during his time at their Department of Aviation.
Federal Court
Plaintiff Alleges Electrical Construction Company Violated Overtime Laws
A former employee has filed a lawsuit against Paragon Electric Corp., claiming violations under federal and state labor laws regarding unpaid overtime wages and misclassification as an independent contractor.
Federal Court
Plaintiff Alleges Former Employer Flexport International LLC Engaged in Sexual Harassment
In a striking legal move, Shana Miller has filed a lawsuit against former employer Flexport International LLC alleging sexual harassment and retaliation under Title VII protections.
Federal Court
Plaintiffs Accuse Beverage Industry Veteran Anthony Spina of Fraudulent Misrepresentation
Two investors have filed a lawsuit against Anthony Spina alleging fraudulent misrepresentation after investing $287,500 into a malt beverage company that never materialized.
Federal Court
Plaintiff alleges mechanical corporation of age and disability discrimination
In a federal lawsuit filed on March 18, Michael T. Schmidt accuses Hill Mechanical Corp., his former employer, of age and disability discrimination following a work-related injury requiring extended medical leave.
Federal Court
Fountain Equipment Finance accuses Elk Grove Truck Sales of withholding truck titles
Fountain Equipment Finance has taken legal action against Elk Grove Truck Sales over an alleged failure to provide clear vehicle titles after a substantial transaction involving two Peterbilt trucks.
Federal Court
Plaintiffs Accuse Vehicle Service Contract Provider Endurance of Fraudulent Practices
A group of consumers has filed a class-action lawsuit against Endurance Dealer Services and Endurance Warranty Services in Illinois federal court.
'Baseless targeting': Internal review shows feds sought to punish Townstone over radio comments
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has asked a federal judge to reverse a settlement with Townstone Financial and refund $105K the company had paid to end a regulatory action that sought to punish the company over comments made on a radio show which the agency claimed were discriminatory
Lawsuit: Champaign abortion doc left 'half of pre-born baby' in woman's body post-abortion
An Ohio doctor, who runs an abortion clinic in Champaign, has been accused of severely injuring a woman during an abortion, by allegedly perforating her uterus and leaving half of the unborn baby lodged in her pelvis, and then ignoring her requests for help amid the complications
Judge: Fed transportation law doesn't shield paratransit company from IL genetic privacy class action
A federal judge ruled employers can follow federal rules on screening prospective drivers without violating Illinois' genetics privacy law, meaning transportation companies can't use federal law and regulations to beat potentially costly class action lawsuits for asking about drivers' family medical histories.
Jewish lawyer can sue Cook Co. Public Defender for making her take down pic featuring Israeli flag, gun
A federal judge said Debra Gassman has done enough so far to show the Cook County Public Defender's office violated her First Amendment rights by forcing her to take down a photo from her office showing the ex-IDF volunteer holding a rifle in front of the Israeli flag
Appeals court: Hospitals can't sue Illinois to force faster Medicaid claims pay
Saint Anthony Hospital said it intends to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, asserting it believes dissenting judges were correct to argue the majority decision misunderstands congressional intent behind language in federal Medicaid law
Illinois automated license plate reader camera scans aren't unconstitutional searches, judge says
A federal judge in Chicago tossed, for now, a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois' network of automated license plate readers, accusing the state of installing implementing an unconstitutional "dragnet surveillance" system. The judge said the Fourth Amendment doesn't prevent license plate reader scans.
Appeals court: Chicago can sue out-of-state gun shop over gun crimes in the city
Chicago and gun control activists can revive their lawsuit against a now-closed Indiana gun shop for allegedly supplying illegal firearms to criminals in the city, a state appeals panel says. The decision overturns a Cook County judge's ruling, which had determined Illinois courts lacked jurisdiction in the dispute
Cook County Public Defender poised to win OK to represent illegal immigrants in deportation cases beyond Chicago
The Cook County Public Defender's Office has represented 150+ immigrants facing deportation in Chicago Immigration Court since 2022. IL lawmakers are poised to allow the office to expand that mission to immigration courts elsewhere. Critics worry the program will only balloon from here, conflict with feds under Trump
Justice Department to support effort to strike down IL law pushing 'diverse' nonprofit boards
The Justice Department under President Trump has moved to intervene in the lawsuit brought against the state by the American Association for Equal Rights, seeking to overturn Illinois' law requiring nonprofits to report on the races and genders of their board members and staff. They say the law promotes intentional discrimination
New filing: Illinois has constitutional authority to ignore immigration law, complicate deportations
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul responded to the Trump administration's lawsuit vs Illinois' 'Sanctuary' laws, arguing the U.S. Constitution and past court decisions allow the state to pass laws forbidding police from cooperating with nearly all federal immigration enforcement 'schemes'
Cook County Dems cruise in five contested races for circuit court judge seats
While votes continue to be counted, Democratic candidates for judge in Cook County scored easy wins over Republican challengers in the handful of contested judicial races presented to voters this fall, including in the first contested general election race for countywide judge in 14 years
Did IL just try again to ban E-Verify? New law could leave employers facing hard choices, big challenges
The new law could leave Illinois employers facing a choice between abiding by competing state and federal immigrant employment laws and requirements, and leave Illinois facing another day in court defending a law which could stand in defiance to federal laws governing immigrant work eligibility
Jury orders Avon to pay $24M to former janitor with mesothelioma
After a month-long trial, a Cook County jury said Avon owes $24.4 million because the man allegedly contracted mesothelioma lung cancer from being exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc products at the company's Morton Grove facility in the 1980s
Appeals court: Waivers shield climbing wall operator from lawsuits over climbers' fall
Climber failed to show liability release violated sound public policy
IL Treasurer: Chicago City Hall wrongly keeping millions of dollars worth of unclaimed checks, other property
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, through Attorney General Kwame Raoul, sued the city of Chicago, seeking a court order knocking down the city's claim that its home rule power exempts it from having to turn over to the state millions of dollars of unclaimed checks and refunds owed to Illinoisans
Plaintiff Alleges Discrimination by Former Employer Monk Fruit Corp
Marissa Ovassapian has filed a lawsuit against Monk Fruit Corp., alleging gender-based pay discrimination and religious discrimination during her tenure as an Operations Manager at the company.
Cook County checks in at No. 6 on list of worst U.S. 'Judicial Hellholes'
The American Tort Reform Association released its annual list of the country's most notable "Judicial Hellholes." Cook County's courts earned a spot on the list thanks to a host of "abusive" lawsuits and the potential for many more to come, should the Illinois Supreme Court nix a doctrine used to force certain plaintiffs to sue elsewhere
Two scandal-marked Cook County judges to be investigated by state
Cook County's chief judges recommended Judges E. Kenneth Wright and Shannon O'Malley be investigated by the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board. The JIB can recommend further action. The judges have been accused in a press report of living outside of Cook County, which could violate the state constitution