Laura Halleman News
United Airlines wins judgment in discrimination case brought by man accused of taking food from plane
A Chicago federal judge has found United Airlines didn't discriminate against an African-American former employee who sued the company after he was fired for allegedly taking food from an airplane during a layover.
Bill that would limit liability in employing ex-offenders stalls in Illinois House of Representatives
Legislation that would have made it less risky for employers to hire ex-offenders is now delayed in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Cook County paid sick leave ordinance takes effect July 1; employers should learn the rules, lawyer says
On July 1, Cook County's new mandatory paid sick leave ordinance will take effect. And employers would do well to learn if the ordinance will apply to them and to acquaint themselves with the "burdensome" rules, which were released to the public May 25, that the county will use to guide the implementation and enforcement of the ordinance.
Newly elected Cook County judge resigns after failing to report for duty in traffic court
A Cook County judge who for months refused to show up for duty in traffic court has resigned.
IL law forcing 'pregnancy resource centers' to refer women for abortions violates constitution: Lawsuit
Eighteen Illinois women’s health organizations have sued the state of Illinois and Gov. Bruce Rauner over a new law that forces pro-life doctors and pregnancy resource centers to discuss abortion benefits and to refer pregnant women for abortions despite the medical providers' opposition to the procedure.
U.S. Supreme Court could use IL case to toss out unions' 'fair share fees' collection from non-members
The U.S. Supreme Court will get the chance to decide how much fees public-worker unions in Illinois can take from non-union workers. And if it decides to hear arguments on a challenge to the fees originally introduced by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, it could mean the court is poised to overturn the longstanding legal precedent allowing the unions to exact the payments from non-members.
Illinois Realtors opposes Illinois rent control bill to green light city rent controls
Illinois Realtors, a real estate advocacy group, has stepped out to oppose Illinois state legislation to repeal the state's Rent Control Preemption Act, a 1997 law prohibiting cities and other local governments from enacting rent control measures.
Appellate court: Moraine Valley Community College wrong to fire adjunct who publicly criticized college
The Illinois First District Appellate Court upheld a decision of the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board, which had ruled Moraine Valley Community College had violated labor relations rules when it fired an adjunct faculty member who criticized the college in a letter to an organization that was reviewing the school.
Presence to pay $475K for HIPAA breach; could signal more HIPAA scrutiny for other health care orgs
Chicago-based Presence Health has become the first health care organization penalized for not reporting a HIPAA privacy breach within a 60-day window, as federal regulators slapped the operator of 11 Illinois hospitals with a $475,000 fine. And it could signal greater enforcement actions to come, said an attorney who works with other health care organizations.
New whistleblower suit signals arrival of litigation under new federal food safety rules
Less than a year after federal regulators established new rules under the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), a whistleblower suit has been filed by an employee of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company, potentially signaling more attention for that company and others under the FSMA.
SNAP rep denies lawsuit's accusation sex abuse survivors group colludes with lawyers for kickbacks
A former employee of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is suing the group, alleging collusion with survivors' attorneys - charges the group denies.