Jonathan Bilyk News
Judge denies emergency order to block alleged misleading 'Fair Tax' ballot descriptions
A Cook County judge has denied a temporary restraining order sought by opponents of the so-called Fair Tax Amendment, to correct allegedly 'misleading' information from the state concerning the goals and effects of the progressive income tax amendment.
More time needed to test Pritzker's patronage solving claims: Court filing
Wait six months before ruling on Gov. JB Pritzker's request to end court oversight of state patronage hiring practices, say a group of Chicago lawyers behind the court decrees that opened windows on hiring practices in Chicago and Springfield government offices.
Judge: Lawsuit OK to continue accusing Realtors Association, brokers of conspiracy to force home sellers to pay more
A federal judge in Chicago refused to dismiss the case accusing the National Association of Realtors and some of the country's biggest brokerages of using control of the MLS to force home sellers to pay higher commissions to agents representing home buyers.
Lawsuit: Illinois 'Fair Tax' amendment ballot language will mislead voters, must be corrected
The lawsuit, filed by the Illinois Policy Institute and three retirees, asserts the language was written by its Democratic supporters to persuade voters, not to inform them, and disguises the true extent of the powers that would be granted to Illinois lawmakers to tax income, including retirement income.
Judge denies attempt by DeKalb restaurant owners to block Pritkzer from closing bars, restaurants in NW IL
A new lawsuit has challenged Gov. JB Pritzker's authority to impose COVID-19 restrictions by region. A judge, though, denied a TRO sought by restaurant owners who fear the restrictions will drive many of them out of business.
Judge won't ground class action vs Nationwide over travel insurance claims denials for COVID cancelled trips
The judge said the insurer hasn't adequately explained why it refused to cover airfare costs for travel insurance policy holders who didn't receive full refunds from airlines after their trips were cancelled.
Judge denies restraining order that could have allowed high school sports to resume this fall
A DuPage County judge denied the request from a group of student athletes and their parents for a temporary restraining order that could have allowed high school football and other sports to resume after being shut down over COVID-19 concerns.
Worker fingerprint scan class action vs suburban lighting makers settles for $164K; attorneys get $54K
A class action brought under Illinois' biometrics privacy law vs suburban lighting manufacturers has settled on behalf of about 137 workers.
Class action: IHSA violated its own rules in shutting down IL high school football, other fall sports
A new class action lawsuit says the board of directors of the Illinois High School Association lacked the authority to decide to shut down the fall sports seasons, as recommended by Gov. JB Pritzker.
Timeclock tech maker Kronos: Lawyers on 'fishing expedition' to fuel new wave of fingerprint scan class actions vs employers
Kronos Inc. says two Chicago class action firms are trying to use a lawsuit against them to force Kronos to turn over its customer list, to help them ID new companies to sue under Illinois' biometrics privacy law.
Brookfield Zoo operators can't duck PETA request for info over stingray deaths: Judge
A Cook County judge said the state's Freedom of Information law should apply to the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates Brookfield Zoo, even though it is not a government agency.
Trial lawyers keep funding Madigan political war chest, despite bribery scandal; $161K donated in September
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is also chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, has been implicated in a federal bribery investigation. Trial lawyers, however, continue to donate money to Madigan's campaign organization.
IL Supreme Court shuts off class action vs Chicago over 'increased danger' from lead water lines
The Illinois state high court ruled plaintiffs must do more than claim they have an increased risk of harm from lead water service lines to keep their class action against City Hall flowing.
Judge: No insurance coverage for dentist whose revenue plunged after Pritzker COVID lockdown orders
A federal judge in Chicago became the latest to find business owners have no claim for business interruption coverage even though they were all but put out of business by COVID-related lockdown orders from Gov. JB Pritzker and other U.S. governors.
Report: Election of new clerk chance for reforms to boost public accountability, accessibility in Cook County courts
A report from the Civic Federation, Chicago Appleseed and Chicago Council of Lawyers calls for the new Cook County Circuit Clerk to institute reforms and technology upgrades to make the county's courts more efficient and publicly accessible.
Cook County judge asked to reconsider $15M fee award, including $1M to a fellow judge, in long-running investor suit
Current Cook County Judge Patrick Sherlock and his ex-law partner could be poised to receive more than $2 million for their work on a lawsuit that dates back to 2001, unless another Cook County judge agrees to revisit his decision to give a group of plaintiffs' lawyers, including Sherlock's father-in-law, nearly $15M in fees.
IBM can't zap class action over its use of facial scans in A.I. facial recognition training tech
IBM had downloaded and mapped millions of photos of people to help the company better train A.I. to recognize non-white and female faces.
Judge drills attempt by insurer Delta Dental to yank dentists' antitrust lawsuits
The judge said the dentists and American Dental Association have done enough so far to back up their claims that Delta Dental and its subsidiaries use their market position to force the dentists to accept lower payments.
Appeals panel: IL workers' comp law doesn't block worker class actions vs employers over fingerprint scans
The appeals panel said harm suffered by violations of Illinois' biometrics privacy law aren't workplace injuries, even if the violations occurred in the workplace, in the course of employment.
Judge nixes bid to block Illinois Vote by Mail over fears of Dem cheating; Affirms limits on ballot harvesting
A federal judge in Chicago said fears of Democratic vote fraud are only "speculative," as he refused a request from Cook County Republicans to slap a hold on Illinois' new election rules, including vote by mail.