Lawsuits
Jury orders plastic surgeon to pay $66M to family of woman who bled to death after procedure
The verdict was entered against Dr. Abou Sayeg, who practices plastic surgery in Chicago and Detroit, according to his online bio. Plaintiffs' lawyers estimated the verdict is the largest of its kind in Illinois history.
Lawsuits
Judge: Lawsuit investor Burford still can't revive Sysco's chicken price claims vs Pilgrim's Pride
Lawsuits
Quaker crumbles lawsuit accusing deception over 'Simply Granola' label
Judge says reasonable consumers wouldn't be confused by a product called "Simply Granola," because the industry has not yet set a hard and fast definition of granola
Lawsuits
Bears complete settlement to end lawsuit over alleged 'anti-white' discrimination
A federal judge ordered the end of the lawsuit, after the plaintiff, a former paralegal at the law firm that first filed the suit, agreed to confidentially settle the case under undisclosed terms. The suit had accused the Bears of refusing to consider white male applicants for a "diversity" position in its legal office.
Illinoisans should watch out for the next try at a progressive income tax on the November ballot in the name of property tax relief, says reform advocacy group Wirepoints
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
Chocolate Business Owner Sues Former Employees Over Trademark Infringement
Robert B. Hunter has taken legal action against former employees Tabitha Diebler and Charla Ryan along with their associated businesses for allegedly infringing on his Riverside Chocolate Factory® trademark.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Discrimination Against Real Estate Firm
Pedro Gallegos has filed a lawsuit against A2Z Real Estate Inc., accusing them of national origin and race-based discrimination during his employment tenure as a Maintenance Foreman since 1982 until November 2024.
Federal Court
Former inmate alleges Chicago Police Officers framed him for murder
In a shocking turn of events David Ayala who spent over four decades behind bars is now seeking justice against those he claims framed him for murder back in 1981.
Federal Court
Osaic Wealth accuses trustees and investors of improper FINRA arbitration over unsuitable investments
In a recent court filing, Osaic Wealth seeks to block several individuals from pursuing claims against it through FINRA arbitration over alleged unsuitable investment recommendations made by former contractors.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Gender Discrimination Against Major Pharmacy Chain
Sarah Smith has filed a lawsuit against CVS Pharmacy Inc., alleging gender discrimination and retaliation leading to wrongful termination under Title VII violations.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Retaliation Against Former Employer BestRx Pharmacy Software
LaCortney Kimber has filed a lawsuit against BestRx Pharmacy Software claiming wrongful termination after reporting workplace harassment by a supervisor.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Discrimination Against Property Management Firm Under ADA
Ashley Rivera has taken legal action against Apartment Management Consultants for alleged violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Federal Court
Plaintiff seeks accountability from former detectives over wrongful conviction
After spending decades behind bars for a crime he claims he didn't commit, Brian Beals is suing former detectives and the City of Chicago over alleged misconduct leading to his wrongful conviction in a high-profile murder case from 1988.
Federal Court
Plaintiff alleges lighting manufacturer’s negligence over hazardous product recall
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Good Earth Lighting for failing to adequately address a recall involving dangerous rechargeable lights prone to overheating and causing fires.
Jury orders plastic surgeon to pay $66M to family of woman who bled to death after procedure
The verdict was entered against Dr. Abou Sayeg, who practices plastic surgery in Chicago and Detroit, according to his online bio. Plaintiffs' lawyers estimated the verdict is the largest of its kind in Illinois history.
Tadros may get trial in defamation case vs Crain's over 2016 article
A Cook County judge on Dec. 10 denied a motion by Crain's Communications to end the lawsuit brought by businessman Philip Tadros, which accused Crain's Chicago Business of defaming him in a 2016 article. The judge said a jury may need to decide if accusing Tadros of a "pattern of mismanagement" was defamatory
Judge: Lawsuit investor Burford still can't revive Sysco's chicken price claims vs Pilgrim's Pride
A Chicago federal judge said he still hasn't changed his mind about an existence of a deal to end Sysco's chicken price lawsuit vs Pilgrim's Pride, despite objections from third party lawsuit funder Burford Capital
Bears complete settlement to end lawsuit over alleged 'anti-white' discrimination
A federal judge ordered the end of the lawsuit, after the plaintiff, a former paralegal at the law firm that first filed the suit, agreed to confidentially settle the case under undisclosed terms. The suit had accused the Bears of refusing to consider white male applicants for a "diversity" position in its legal office.
State appeals court: Summit schools OK to expel 13-year-old over pellet gun in backpack
Ruling holds district followed protocol in issuing one-year suspension
'Assault weapons' ban to continue in IL, for now, while courts handle appeal
The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request from Illinois Atty Gen Kwame Raoul to keep a decision on hold from a southern Illinois federal judge, who declared Illinois' ban on so-called "assault weapons" an "unconstitutional affront" to the Second Amendment
Family of Dexter Reed poised to get paid by city taxpayers, under possible lawsuit deal announced in court
A judge tentatively dismissed the legal action vs the city of Chicago by the family of Dexter Reed, a black man shot and killed by police in March after he reportedly opened fire on them from inside his vehicle during a stop. Terms of the settlement, which must be approved by City Council, have not been disclosed.
Illinois sanctuary law will hinder, but won’t stop ICE agents in potential deportation actions
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker recently boasted that officials in heavily Democratic Illinois will attempt to shield illegal immigrants from potential deportation actions under the incoming Trump administration. An advocate for victims of illegal immigrant crime says state actions could place the state and local authorities on a legal collision course with the feds
Lawsuit: IL law requiring insurers to pay for abortions tramples religious freedom rights
A group of pro-life groups and employers, including a private school and a manufacturer, filed suit against Gov. Pritzker and the state, saying the Reproductive Health Act violates their First Amendment rights and federal law by forcing them to pay for others' abortions against their religious beliefs
Justice for Jussie? IL Supreme Court overturns Smollett conviction for lying to cops
The Illinois Supreme Court said Smollett's conviction for lying to police about his hoax attack claims was an unconstitutional violation of his rights to due process because he should have been able to rely on the charge-dropping deal from Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
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
IL Supreme Court turns back bid by Cook County to tax 'future' fuel sales
Business advocates in Illinois said, if the Illinois Supreme Court had sided with Cook County, it would have opened the door for a massive array of new local occupation taxes of all kinds throughout the state, which would 'devastate' businesses
Sun-Times can't use anti-SLAPP law to block defamation suit from ex-PTAB attorney over alleged false story
6-0 ruling doesn't address merits of underlying complaint
Former Employee Alleges Discrimination Against Real Estate Firm
Pedro Gallegos has filed a lawsuit against A2Z Real Estate Inc., accusing them of national origin and race-based discrimination during his employment tenure as a Maintenance Foreman since 1982 until November 2024.
'Abject failure:' Suburban prosecutor says SAFE-T Act fueling crime, letting people skip court
Outgoing McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally says Illinois Dems' signature criminal justice reform measures have resulted in increases in defendants committing crime while awaiting trial, or skipping court altogether. Supporters of the law called the critique "misleading" and "racist"
Ethics complaint filed vs Pritzker over unconstitutional 'election interference' 'anti-slating' law
An Arlington Heights lawyer, who is running as a Republican for the state House, has filed an ethics complaint against Gov. JB Pritzker, accusing him of violating his professional responsibilities as a lawyer holding public office by supporting a state law Democrats sought to use to block challengers to their candidates