Federal Court
Judge: Mercedes can't sue Chicago for empowering city workers to complicate car impound reclaim process
A federal judge said Mercedes Benz had no constitutional claims against the city of Chicago for allegedly giving city workers too much power to complicate the process vehicle owners and lienholders must navigate to recover vehicles impounded for unpaid parking tickets before the vehicle is "disposed of"
State Court
IL high court: State OK to restrict constitutional challenges to state laws solely to Chicago, Springfield courts
Hot Topics
Oak Park violated federal law in banning natgas in new homes, other buildings: Lawsuit
Hot Topics
Counties ask judge to rope IL state govt, private 'tax buyers' into class action over property tax 'takings'
Suburban counties of DuPage, Lake, Will and Kane, along with three downstate counties, say they can't be forced to wear the blame and foot the bill for unconstitutional takings under a property tax system the state created and private investors are allowed to profit from
State Court
IL Sup Ct to decide if insurers can avoid covering companies hit with lawsuits over permitted emissions
A federal appeals panel has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to answer the murky legal question of whether insurers can use 'pollution exclusion' clauses to avoid paying legal defense costs for companies, like Sterigenics, hit with massive lawsuits over emissions that never broke any laws or regulations
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
Former Employee Alleges PepsiCo Violated Labor Laws Over Unpaid COVID-19 Screenings
Randy Johnson has filed a class-action lawsuit against PepsiCo in an Illinois federal court alleging unpaid wages due to mandatory COVID-19 screenings conducted off-the-clock.
Federal Court
Plaintiff alleges local school district failed to accommodate disability
Christine Roche sues Joliet School District #86 over alleged failure to accommodate her severe allergies due to mold exposure at work leading to resignation after suffering health issues
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Consulting Giant Accenture Discriminated Based on Gender
In a lawsuit filed in April 2025, Syed Raza accuses Accenture LLP of gender discrimination and retaliation following his termination.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Freight Company Violated FMLA Rights
A former employee has filed a lawsuit against ABF Freight System alleging violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), breach of contract concerning unemployment benefits assurances and invasion of privacy through unwarranted...
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Archdiocese of Chicago Engaged in Discrimination and Retaliation
A former Senior Financial Analyst has filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Chicago alleging discrimination based on sex, national origin, and disability along with retaliation for engaging in protected activities.
State Court
Plaintiffs Accuse Former Property Owner of Fraudulent Concealment
A new lawsuit filed in Cook County alleges fraudulent concealment during a real estate transaction involving a property with undisclosed foundation defects.
State Court
Casino Patron Sues Midwest Gaming & Entertainment Over Negligence Leading to Injury
Alice David has filed a lawsuit against Midwest Gaming & Entertainment after suffering injuries due to a defective chair at Rivers Casino — Chicago/O'Hare.
State Court
Plaintiff (former police officer) sues Cicero Police Department supervisors for Defamation
A former Cicero Police Department officer has filed a lawsuit against several supervisors alleging defamation and interference with employment opportunities after being forced out under dubious circumstances.
State Court
Truck Driver Sues Major Corporations Over Negligence Leading to Severe Injury
A truck driver has filed a lawsuit against major corporations including Sony Corporation and CSX Intermodal for alleged negligence leading to severe injury.
New filing: 'Whistleblowers' can back fraud, racketeering claims vs Simmons, other asbestos lawsuit firms
L.A.-based pipemaker J-M Manufacturing wants to revive its lawsuit against Simmons Hanly Conroy and now other prominent asbestos plaintiff firms. J-M claims to have a raft of whistleblowers who can back their allegations that much of the multi-billion dollar asbestos litigation industry is allegedly a fraudulent racket
Northwestern to settle potentially dozens of legal claims over football hazing
Attorneys representing many former Northwestern University football players said they had reached a confidential "provisional settlement" with the school to end litigation accusing coaches and other Northwestern officials of turning a blind eye to years of hazing under former coach Patrick Fitzgerald.
'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
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.
Owner of Waukegan restaurant building can be sued for not stopping car from crashing through front window
A state appeals panel had earlier agreed the Waukegan Mexican restaurant owners can be sued by a customer who was injured when a car crashed through the front window. Now, the state appeals panel says there is no reason the building owners can't also be sued for failing to install barriers to prevent such crashes
Oak Park violated federal law in banning natgas in new homes, other buildings: Lawsuit
A group of labor unions, contractors, energy providers and industry associations sued the village of Oak Park, saying its ban on natural gas appliances in new construction violates federal law and denies its residents their rights to choice in how to power and heat their buildings
Counties ask judge to rope IL state govt, private 'tax buyers' into class action over property tax 'takings'
Suburban counties of DuPage, Lake, Will and Kane, along with three downstate counties, say they can't be forced to wear the blame and foot the bill for unconstitutional takings under a property tax system the state created and private investors are allowed to profit from
Judge blocks Trump Labor Dept anti-DEI funding rules
A Chicago federal judge blocked the Labor Department under President Donald Trump from enforcing Trump's executive orders requiring organizations receiving grants through the DOL to certify they are not supporting DEI, if they wish to continue collecting federal money. The judge said the orders "chill" free speech
23 states: IL, Chicago 'sanctuary' laws incentivize illegal immigration, 'spills' burden onto other states, rest of U.S.
Attorneys general from 23 states have sided in federal court with the Trump Justice Dept.'s challenge vs Illinois' and Chicago's 'Sanctuary' policies and laws. They argue IL, by shielding illegal immigrants from feds, is violating the constitutional compact among the states and increasing the burden on everyone
City Council committee rejects $1.25M for family of Dexter Reed, who shot at cops
The Chicago City Council's Finance Committee voted 15-12 to reject paying a $1.25M settlement to the family of Dexter Reed, a black man who was killed by police officers after he opened fire on them from inside his car during a traffic stop. Critics said the deal signals to criminals and cops alike that the city doesn't support police
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
St. Clair, Madison counties retain top spots for asbestos lawsuit destinations in U.S.: New report
Consulting firm KCIC reported Madison, St. Clair, Cook counties collectively accounted for nearly half of all asbestos lawsuit filings in 2024. St. Clair County continued its rapid ascent and could equal or eclipse Madison County for the country's No. 1 destination for asbestos claims in coming years
IL high court: State OK to restrict constitutional challenges to state laws solely to Chicago, Springfield courts
The Illinois Supreme Court has let stand a partisan law, backed by Democrats, that blocks judges outside of Chicago and Springfield from hearing cases challenging the constitutionality of state laws. The court declined to use the ruling to end a rule limiting lawsuit 'forum shopping,' outcome sought by trial lawyers
Casino Patron Sues Midwest Gaming & Entertainment Over Negligence Leading to Injury
Alice David has filed a lawsuit against Midwest Gaming & Entertainment after suffering injuries due to a defective chair at Rivers Casino — Chicago/O'Hare.
Former Employee Alleges PepsiCo Violated Labor Laws Over Unpaid COVID-19 Screenings
Randy Johnson has filed a class-action lawsuit against PepsiCo in an Illinois federal court alleging unpaid wages due to mandatory COVID-19 screenings conducted off-the-clock.
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