John Breslin News
Legal fight over fate of Westlake Hospital draws in unusual players, in 'complex, complicated' court fight
'Complex, complicated' court fight over Westlake Hospital places judges, state officials at center of unprecedented fight over attempt to close money-losing Melrose Park health care facility.
Courts unlikely to dismiss whistleblower cases filed on behalf of feds, just because DOJ asks, attorney says
The U.S. Justice Department has signaled a greater willingness in recent months to seek to short-circuit lawsuits filed by private plaintiffs seeking to collect money from companies, supposedly on behalf of the federal government.
IL bill forcing companies to add female, African American directors contradicts IL law, constitution: Manufacturers assn
Illinois manufacturers believe a bill that would force publicly-held corporations to have at least one female and one African-American on their boards could run afoul of the Illinois Constitution and the Civil Rights Act.
Workers' comp bill on Pritzker's desk will expose more companies to asbestos lawsuits, attorney says
Some companies may be exposed to more asbestos lawsuits under proposed legislation now on Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker's desk.
Union lawsuit claiming right to not represent non-union members could upset public labor relations: Attorney
A labor union has won the right to move forward with a unique challenge that emerged in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year on whether non-union workers should pay fair share fees for representation. If it succeeds, the lawsuit could upset management-labor relations for government employers, a labor lawyer says.
Appeals court: Rumors about woman sleeping to top could leave employer on hook for discrimination suit
Legal experts are describing as significant a federal appeals court ruling that determined rumors falsely hinting a woman slept with management to advance in her company, could leave an employer on the hook for a sex discrimination violation under the Civil Rights Act.
Judge quashes Algonquin Township's effort to subpoena Edgar County Watchdogs' Dropbox records
Press freedom activists have expressed concern at an attempt by an Illinois township to subpoena the records of a watchdog news site, and now that subpoena has been quashed by a county circuit court.
Appeals court: City of Zion, IL Liquor Commission wrongly cited restaurant for not enough seats to serve alcohol
A restaurant in north suburban Zion did not violate a local ordinance that requires 50 seats in a restaurant in order for alcohol to be served, an appeals court has affirmed.
Man who says was wrongly jailed can continue unlawful detention claim vs Chicago: Appeals court
A former Cook County Jail inmate who claims he was unlawfully detained based on alleged false testimony by police officers can move forward with a claim his constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment were violated.
ATG LegalServe partners with File & ServeXpress for 'one-stop' service
As the era of legal e-filing came close to replacing the hand delivering of documents, one process-serving business knew it had to find the right partner.
Appeals panel: Woman wasn't harmed by credit card digits on receipt, can't sue Costco
A Costco customer has failed in her appeal against a lower court's decision dismissing her claim for damages after a warehouse club allegedly printed more than the five digits of her credit card number on a receipt.
IL A/G's discovery order vs Rockford recycling biz not 'adequate substitute for warrant:' Appeals panel
A lower court failed to properly weigh the privacy rights of a waste disposal site owner when it ruled in favor of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's request for a discovery order, an appeals court has ruled, siding with the business owner who claimed the order was merely an attempt to sidestep the need for a search warrant.
New IL law boosts protections for nurses, other health workers from violence, liability risk for hospitals, others
CHICAGO – New legislation that was enacted following two high-profile attacks on nurses in 2017 came into effect at the turn of the year.
IL has changed rules on employee reimbursements; employers should check policies, attorney says
Employers in Illinois are being warned to check their expense reimbursement policies following the says passing of new amendments to a state act requiring them to pay "reasonable" expenses to employees, an attorney whose practice focuses on labor and employment law.
Appeals court: Woman failed to prove fall on icy stairs caused by Chicago apartment building's faulty gutters
A woman who claimed her fall on the back steps of an apartment building was caused by an unnatural accumulation of ice has failed in her appeal to overturn a judge's decision in favor of the building owners.
Lawyer: Hospitals breathing 'sigh of relief' over Supreme Court's property tax exemption ruling
Hospital groups are "breathing a sigh of relief" following a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of their tax-exempt status, an attorney says.
Judge: Menard's, retailers not expected to always keep parking lot in 'perfect condition' to avoid trip-and-falls
Home improvement retail chain Menard's cannot be held liable for an injury allegedly suffered by a woman who tripped over a crack in the parking lot of one of its northwest suburban stores, a federal judge has ruled, saying the retailer cannot be expected to keep its parking lot in "perfect condition at every moment."
Appeals panel: Chicago not liable for man's fall after stepping out of cab on crumbling curb
A man injured after stepping on a crumbled curb following his exit from a cab has no claim against the city of Chicago, a state appeals court has ruled.
Federal court dismisses long-running bankruptcy fee-fixing claim vs BMS, perhaps for last time
CHICAGO - The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois dismissed a claim that a company providing software services in bankruptcy proceedings was involved in a fee-fixing conspiracy, according to a July 2 ruling.
Court again sides with employee over non-solicitation agreement, part of a pattern, says attorney
A federal court has ruled in favor of an employee involved in a trade secrets and non-solicitation dispute with a former employer, continuing a pattern by Chicago federal judges of overturning, or limiting the scope, of employment agreements, according to a Chicago employment lawyer.