Jonathan Bilyk News
New lawsuits assert IL COVID disaster not widespread enough to justify further emergency declarations from Pritzker
Attorney Tom DeVore, who has led many legal challenges against Gov. JB Pritzker's use of emergency powers in response to COVID-19, has filed several more asserting the COVID pandemic doesn't qualify as a "public health emergency" under state law.
Judge: Lawyers who represented Hispanic park supervisor in discrimination suit should get $1M from Chicago Park District
The judge said the lawyers "extraordinary" work in getting $500K payout and job reinstatement for their client should net an "extraordinary reward."
Lawsuit: Rafaello Hotel owners breached duty to condo association members in 'self-serving' condo bulk sale deal
The lawsuit comes on the heels of an appellate court ruling declaring Section 15 of the Illinois Condo Act doesn't relieve association boards of so-called fiduciary duty to their membership when negotiating condo bulk sale deals or conversions to apartments.
Big name retailers: COVID closures invalidated store leases at Water Tower Place, other Brookfield Properties malls
Retailers including The Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic have sued big mall operator Brookfield Properties, arguing the changes to the retail landscape wrought by COVID-19 mean they should be able to avoid paying rent and perhaps get out of their leases.
First Student tagged in biometrics class action over job applicants background check fingerprint scans
A new class action lawsuit accuses school bus giant First Student of violating Illinois' biometrics privacy law in the way it required job applicants to scan their fingerprints for background checks.
House Speaker Michael Madigan implicated in ComEd bribery scheme
Federal prosecutors said Madigan, through his associates, demanded "old fashioned patronage" for his associates and allies in exchange for supporting legislation that steered hundreds of millions of dollars from electrical customers to ComEd.
Feds say radio statements by Townstone Financial reps amount to 'redlining'; Townstone says it is attempt to 'cancel,' silence speech
Townstone Financial says the lawsuit is an attempt by activists to use the federal government to silence speech "the left" disagrees with.
Class action: State Farm allegedly shortchanged insureds on transfer, title fees for totaled cars
A new class action lawsuit says State Farm didn't pay the full amount of state transfer and title fees when replacing totaled vehicles, even though required by the state.
Activists ask court to relax ballot rules for their referendums to boost funding for mental health services on South, West sides
The Coalition to Save our Mental Health Centers says state and city COVID-19 activity restrictions make it too hard to satisfy the rules to place their referendums on the ballot
Illinois bowling alley owners' group: Pritzker's 50-person limits for bowling centers illegal, unconstitutional
The Illinois Bowling Proprietors' Association has filed suit against Gov. JB Pritzker, saying his administration applied a 50-person capacity limit to bowling alleys that it did not apply to casinos, restaurants and other indoor entertainment venues.
Lawsuit: IHSA doesn't have authority to continuously change 'Return to Play' plan at Pritzker's whim
Southern Illinois lawyer Tom DeVore has sued the IHSA, saying they illegally changed the rules, at the demand of the Pritzker administration, governing how student athletes can return to the playing surfaces this fall for high school sports.
CTA worker asks SCOTUS to shoot down unions' 'good faith' defense in refusing to refund unconstitutional fees
Lawyers for a non-union Chicago Transit Authority worker have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to undo a series of lower court rulings that have allowed unions to keep fees the court had ruled unconstitutional.
Walmart: Lawsuit over worker's COVID death belongs in worker's comp system, not Cook County court
Walmart has asked a Cook County judge to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a worker at its Evergreen Park store who died from COVID-19.
Pritzker: Eviction ban only 'temporary,' needed to fight COVID; Landlords can't claim state is taking their property
Gov. JB Pritzker argued in new court filings the state's "police power" to promote public health gives him the authority to block landlords from evicting tenants, even those who simply refuse to pay rent.
IL A/G: Pritzker needs clean 'final' ruling from S. IL judge to appeal decision against his COVID emergency powers
Gov. JB Pritzker has asked a Clay County judge to essentially clean up a loose end to let him appeal a ruling that otherwise struck down Pritzker's emergency powers to combat COVID-19.
How was top Dem lawyer, Madigan ally selected to represent IL elections board in court? No one will say
Michael Kasper, an elections lawyer who serves as general counsel to the Illinois Democratic Party, was appointed by the Democratic Illinois Attorney General to represent the state elections board, in a battle over efforts by third parties to ease ballot rules amid the COVID crisis.
Lawsuit: Lightfoot, Pritzker 'selective' enforcement of COVID-19 orders violates IL state constitution
COVID-19 enforcement actions taken by Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot have been "arbitrary," the lawsuit said, targeting only those who lack "political or economic power" the governor and mayor "covet."
Judge: Pritzker's orders can limit Republican gatherings, even if guv marched with thousands in anti-racism protest
A federal judge said "unique" constitutional protections for religious freedom also thwart GOP's attempt to compare political rallies to church services, which are generally exempted from Gov. JB Pritzker's COVID limits on assembly sizes.
Southern IL judge rules Pritzker overstepped bounds in imposing COVID orders
The ruling hands a win to State Rep. Darrent Bailey, R-Xenia, in his challenge asserting state law does not give Gov. JB Pritzker the power to continue issuing emergency executive orders without authorization from Illinois lawmakers.
Pritzker: GOP challenge to COVID powers just 'talking points': GOP: Pritzker's orders 'content discrimination'
Gov. JB Pritzker and GOP lawyers traded barbs and briefs in federal court over the governor's COVID-19 gathering limits, which Republicans said discriminated against them.