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Cook County Record

COOK COUNTY RECORD

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Federal Court

Judge: Mercedes can't sue Chicago for empowering city workers to complicate car impound reclaim process

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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
Hot Topics

Oak Park violated federal law in banning natgas in new homes, other buildings: Lawsuit

By Jonathan Bilyk |
Hot Topics

Counties ask judge to rope IL state govt, private 'tax buyers' into class action over property tax 'takings'

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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
Their View
By Mark Glennon, Wirepoints |
The Business of Law Arrow gray brought to you by Peak

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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Scott Holland |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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'

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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.

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Cook County Record |
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

By Cook County Record |
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'

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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

By Jonathan Bilyk |
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