Jonathan Bilyk News
Ex-CPS students cleared for class action vs CPS over 'Quiet Time' Hindu meditation program
A Chicago federal judge says as many as 3,000 students may be in line for payment from CPS for allegedly all but coercing them into participating in a Hindu transcendental meditation program run by the David Lynch Foundation, allegedly in violation of their religious freedom rights
Biometrics class action lawsuit tossed vs crypto wallet app operator Zengo
The lawsuit was one of a growing number filed against app operators, accusing them of improperly scanning users' faces to verify their identity at registration or when signing in to use the app
SCOTUS to decide soon whether to review IL 'assault weapons' ban
Allowing the 'absurd' legal reasoning to stand that was used by lower courts to uphold Illinois' law would undermine SCOTUS decisions and essentially empower states to ban all manner of guns, challengers said, urging the high court to take their appeals
Judge rejects workers' class action vs Advocate over medical history questions
The class action lawsuit is one of dozens of similar actions accusing employers of violating Illinois' genetic privacy law by asking workers about their and their families' medical histories. The judge said he did not believe the questions, asked during a physical exam, amounted to a violation of the law
Lawyers seek $95M fees for settlements with 10 elite U.S. schools over alleged fin aid collusion
The lawsuit accuses 17 top U.S. colleges and universities, locally including Notre Dame, University of Chicago and Northwestern, of allegedly violating federal antitrust law by limiting financial aid and boosting the cost to attend their schools. Ten schools have settled thus far, collectively paying $285M
Lawsuit says Northwestern failed Jewish students by 'coddling' pro-Hamas, 'terror-supporting' encampment
A class action lawsuit accuses Northwestern University of a breach of contract with its Jewish students by allowing a pro-Hamas rife with antisemitic bigotry to continue on the campus' central lawn, allegedly in violation of university policies
Judge: IL Sup Ct decision can shield health care vendors from huge biometrics class actions
A federal judge has tossed a class action under Illinois' biometrics privacy law vs health care tech vendor Becton Dickinson, saying attempts by plaintiffs' lawyers to argue an Illinois Supreme Court decision shields only hospitals and clinical providers "borders on frivolous"
Homeservices of America to pay $250M to settle real estate commission antitrust lawsuits
Attorneys could stand to rake in more than $80 million in fees from the new deal, meaning plaintiffs' lawyers could be in line for more than $300 million in fees from multiple settlements worth more than $940 million so far, with potentially more on the way.
Chicago parking meters owners say City Hall owes millions for not properly enforcing parking rules
Arbitrators ruled the city should pay $2M+ for not enforcing parking rules in neighborhoods in 2020, and the city could owe millions more for strategic maneuvers to bank $10M+ in 2021-2022. Chicago Parking Meters say it's also owed $36M more, as well, for other alleged lax enforcement
White Castle to pay $9.5M to settle contentious worker fingerprint scans case
A long court fight over the case had resulted in a landmark Illinois Supreme Court decision, which placed Illinois businesses at risk of "annihilative" payouts, leading lawmakers to at last move to reform the law to potentially avert further economic harm.
Appeals panel again finds safety net hospitals can sue IL over speed, amounts of Medicaid claims pay
Saying it recognized the huge implications of their decision, a split panel of judges at the Seventh Circuit again ruled Saint Anthony Hospital, considered a 'safety net' hospital, can sue the state to demand it improve the way the state's insurers pay Medicaid claims. A dissenting judge said it was overreach
Dexter Reed's family sues Chicago cops over Reed's death, after Reed fired at Chicago cops in traffic stop
The family says officers are to blame because they shouldn't have stopped Reed at all, and then acted "outrageously" in pulling their weapons on Reed. They do not concede Reed fired first. Police advocates say the plaintiffs look to be seeking a "quick settlement" from Mayor Brandon Johnson's City Hall
Cook County shuts door on class action claims that property tax sale system discriminates vs black, Latino homeowners
A federal judge said class action plaintiffs haven't done enough to support claims that Cook County's property tax sale system - which sells off homes to collect unpaid property taxes - discriminates vs black and Latino homeowners. The decision doesn't end claims the system is unconstitutional
Judicial reform advocate says IL Judges Assn allows judges to band together to squelch public criticism
Attorney and court reform advocate Edward "Coach" Weinhaus sued the Illinois Judges Association in federal court, accusing the organization of serving as a cabal enabling judges to quell critics. He pointed to his experiences in Illinois courts after criticizing the presiding judge over Cook County's divorce courts
Cook County jury orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $45M in talc powder asbestos verdict
Jurors agreed a woman who died of mesothelioma likely contracted her illness from using talc baby powder and other products which allegedly may have contained asbestos fibers. Such studies have been assailed by critics as 'junk science'
Ex-Onward restaurant owner pressing on with court fight vs Loyola over restaurant's demise
Restaurateur Michael Olszewski says Loyola University undermined and "kicked to the curb" the Onward Rogers Park fine dining restaurant into which Olszewski said he sunk more than $1M, at Loyola's request. The university says Olszewski "caused problems" for years and didn't pay rent during the Covid shutdowns
Privacy class action firms jockey for control of 23andMe data breach claims; Edelson calls for new approach
Data privacy class action firm Edelson P.C. is seeking to control 40 class actions, potentially worth huge money, against 23andMe for allegedly allowing genetic info to be stolen in a data breach. In a new filing, Edelson is asking courts to reconsider how they decide which lawyers should lead
Glock seeks to take Chicago's anti-gun lawsuit to federal court
Firearms maker Glock has filed a motion to remove Mayor Brandon Johnson's lawsuit, in partnership with anti-guns rights activists, from Cook County's courts to federal court. The lawsuit claims Glock's semiautomatic pistols are too easily modified into "machine guns"
Judge says Harvey's financial situation makes it impossible to complete road project, rescinds contract
A Cook County judge ruled a road contractor already shorted $2M can't be forced to maintain "temporary" traffic signals in Harvey indefinitely. The judge rescinded the contract and ordered IDOT to take control of the traffic signals, despite falling short of normally required standards
Unopposed Cook County judge candidates appointed by IL Supreme Court to Cook bench early
The new judges include a former Cook County Assistant State's Attorney who famously was blamed for Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's handling of the police killing of Adam Toledo, and later authored a resignation later that blasted Foxx for failures of leadership