Karen Kidd News
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Federal appeals court slams USDA in decades-old farm wetlands case
A Hancock County, Ind., woman, whose farm family sued after the U.S. Department of Agriculture denied them benefits over removal of nine trees from their property decades ago, scored a victory in the long-running wetlands case with a federal appeals court's recent scathing ruling.
Appeals panel nixes insurer's bid to fix only hail-damaged parts of condo building, not siding on all four walls
A Texas-based insurance company is on the hook for all four walls of buildings owned by a west suburban Naperville condominium association, not just portions of walls that were damaged in a 2014 storm, a federal court has affirmed.
Cook Co. Sheriff didn't violate officer's rights amid years-long, contested termination proceedings: Appeals panel
A federal appeals panel has rejected a claim from a Cook County Sheriff's Officer correctional officer that a drawn-out termination process that has followed his suspension almost eight years ago following a DUI arrest did not violate his constitutional rights.
Appeals panel: Former Lake County sheriff can be sued by jail inmates over three-day water shutoff
Former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran and another county corrections official do not have immunity from a class action lawsuit by jail inmates over a three-day water shutoff at the county lock up nearly two years ago, a federal appeals court said.
Foreclosure property manager can be sued as debt collector for allegedly locking tenants out, taking property
A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit brought by three plaintiffs who allege a foreclosure property management company violated federal and Illinois state laws for the way the company treated them and their property when the owner fell behind on payments.
'Good employment hygiene' can ward off serial discrimination lawsuits, attorney says
Employers should seek to boost good employment practices, including improving techniques for fielding complaints and taking suggestions from employees, to help ward off an uptick in so-called "serial discrimination" lawsuits, such as those being waged against Walmart across the country and soon in Illinois.
Ice rink mechanic fired after Zamboni accident can't sue rink owners under Disabilities Act
A former employee of a Westfield, Ind., skating rink has failed to show the company discriminated against and fired him based on his disability, a federal appeals court ruled July 23.
Appeals panel rules against advertising company in battle over Bellwood's billboard ban
A Chicago-based advertising and marketing billboard company effectively lost the appeal of its property rights and antitrust claims against the a rival company and the village of Bellwood after it lost a lease following an imposition of a sign ban in the suburban community, a federal appeals court recently ruled.
'Park' or 'playground?' Sex offender challenges interpretation of law limiting how close can live to public park
A registered sex offender who wants to move into his parents' home in Elk Grove Village has filed suit against the village, challenging the village's interpretation of the law restricting how close registered sex offenders can live to a "playground."
State appeals court tosses out Will Co. jury verdict against woman whose husband died from blood clot
The widow of a Joliet man who died from a blood clot a decade ago will be allowed a new trial for damages against the treatment facility she alleges scheduled an untimely follow-up appointment, an Illinois appeals court has ruled.
Stone Park adult video store challenges constitutionality of village licensing fees, new tax
A Stone Park adult book and video store, with questionable past connections, has filed suit against the village government, challenging the village's ability to impose new licensing fees and a tax based on the number of customers who visit the establishment.
Hinsdale lawyer faces sanctions over suit vs psychologist who evaluated children's custody in divorce
A Hinsdale attorney has about two weeks to explain to a federal appeals court why he shouldn't pay the legal fees of a court-appointed psychologist he has been suing after her expert opinion allegedly cost him custody of his two children.
Renowned ALS researcher suing Northwestern University, administrators for allegedly trying to push him out of job
A longtime Northwestern University researcher and renowned expert on Lou Gehrig's disease has sued the university, claiming he is being forced out of his position.
Attorney: Illinois employers should evaluate heightened litigation risk after state heightens prevailing wage law rules
Employers in Illinois won't notice an immediate litigation risk increase in the changes to the state prevailing wage law that took affect earlier this month but they will eventually, a Chicago labor attorney said during a recent interview.
Appeals court affirms ruling for Indiana University in former dental student's discrimination case
A student who alleged Indiana University discriminated against her when she was required to retake her entire first year curriculum at the university's dental school recently lost her appeal because she couldn't prove she was treated different from than other students.
Rogers Park condo association files class action vs laundry machine service company, says fees not in contract
A Rogers Park lakefront condominium association has filed a class action lawsuit against a New York-based company that leases laundry machines for commercial use for allegedly charging previously not-agreed-to administration fees.
Chicago interfaith group has June 24 response deadline in sexual harassment, retaliation case
A sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit by two women against their former employer, a Chicago interfaith group, is moving ahead after a federal judge last week declined to toss out the case.
Attorneys: IL legislation banning salary history, other inquiries, could heighten employer liability
Legislation recently passed in the Illinois General Assembly that would bar employers from asking job applicants for salary history and other information likely will trigger more Equal Pay Act claims, according to two labor and employment attorneys.
Man OK'd promo texts, but got more than company said would send, so lawsuit OK, judge says
Plaintiffs' lawyers may have found a new avenue to sue businesses over marketing texts, now that a federal judge gave the green light to a class action from a man who said he received more text messages than he agreed to.
Misnaming defendants cost Indiana musical instruments company $4.9M in trademark suit vs Guitar Center
An Indiana-based musical instruments company won't get $4.9 million in additional damages in its trademark infringement complaint against Guitar Center because it wrongly named a couple of affiliated defendants in its lawsuit, a federal appeals court ruled.