Scott Holland News
Appeals panel: Cook County judge wrong to toss class action vs LA Tan franchisee over customer finger scans
A state appeals panel has reversed a Cook County judge’s dismissal of a class action complaint accusing an LA Tan franchisee of violating an Illinois privacy law for the way it scanned and stored digital scans of customers’ fingerprints, saying the business’ disclosure of those fingerprints to a third-party vendor could be enough of a violation to sustain the lawsuit.
Judge: Federal court not right place for homeowner's tax assessment discrimination claims vs Cook assessor
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a former Chicago Heights homeowner, who claimed he and other homeowners in poor and minority neighborhoods in Cook County were forced to pay more than they should in property taxes because, he said, Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios inflated the taxable value of homes in those neighborhoods.
Judge: Not enough proof Pur Luv treats caused dog injuries, deaths to let class action vs Sergeants march on
A federal judge has declined to allow a class action lawsuit to move forward, which places blame for dog deaths and injuries on Sergeant’s Pur Luv treats, saying plaintiffs did not present enough evidence showing the treats are unsafe.
Class action challenges legality of more than 2 million Chicago red light camera tickets
Despite a major settlement earlier this year, the city of Chicago is facing further legal action over the validity of its red light camera program.
Lawyer can't get fees plus settlement cut in pro se action vs My Pillow over unpaid sales taxes: IL Sup Ct
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled an attorney collecting a settlement award from a lawsuit he pressed in his own name, ostensibly on behalf of the state of Illinois, against a business over alleged unpaid sales taxes, isn’t entitled also to collect additional legal fees.
Federal judge undoes potential class action deal to end litigation over 2014 Neiman Marcus data breach
A federal judge has sided with objectors who want to undo a class action settlement involving a five-year-old Neiman Marcus data breach, saying the leading plaintiffs do not adequately represent the entire group.
Appeals panel: IL law OK letting committees controlled by legislative leaders give unlimited campaign cash
Brushing aside assertions the law allows party leaders to consolidate power statewide, a federal appeals panel has upheld an Illinois campaign finance law which restricts what individual donors can give to political campaigns, while allowing unlimited contributions from legislative caucus committees controlled by partisan leaders within the state's House and Senate.
Suburbs' lawyers: Cities' suit vs opioid makers, distributors belongs in Cook court, not federal 'black hole'
Attorneys for a group of Illinois municipalities are fighting an attempt to combine their lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors with a mass of similar litigation already pending in Cleveland federal court.
American Airlines bounced, for now, from class action over alleged sickening uniforms
A federal judge has dismissed American Airlines, for now, from a 2017 class action complaint in which employees complained new uniforms made them sick.
Appeals panel undoes $4.6M verdict for man who claimed contracted cancer from asbestos in welding rods
A state appeals panel has overturned a $4.6 million judgment in favor of a man who said he contracted mesothelioma by inhaling asbestos fibers while working near welding rods.
Investors' lawsuit accuses Harvey, Cook County of underpaying millions owed on bonds for city projects
Bondholders have filed a lawsuit against the city of Harvey, as well as municipal and county officials, saying the city has fallen $2.5 million behind in repaying bonds issued in 2007 and blaming an inadequate tax collection rate for the problem.
Judge OKs $6.6M deal to end class action vs CHA over tenant utility fees; lawyers get $1.3M
A federal judge has signed off on a $6 million deal to end a class action accusing the Chicago Housing Authority of improperly estimating utility fees.
Lawsuit: City of Harvey, man ID'd as mayor's brother, harassed businesses; Alderman: Lawsuit a 'scare tactic'
The city of Harvey and a man identified as the brother of the mayor, who may or may not be a police officer, are facing a lawsuit from two businesses alleging city officials conducted harassing inspections and improperly seized vehicles, among other disciplinary action.
Apple latest tech firm to challenge Chicago's 'Netflix tax,' says tax on streaming media illegal
Apple has joined a host of other tech companies suing the city of Chicago over its so-called “Netflix tax” levied on streaming media.
Judge: Union largely within free speech rights to target Ameristar Casino patrons over boycott
A federal judge in Chicago has weighed in again on the issue of whether workers at Indiana’s Ameristar Casino put undue pressure on patrons as part of an ongoing dispute, dismissing more allegations a union illegally harassed casino patrons to coerce them to participate in a union-sponsored boycott as part of a labor dispute with the casino.
Appeals panel hints not willing to reverse most Cook Co. Sheriff's firings under illegal merit board
Saying they wished to shy away from potentially overthrowing untold numbrs of otherwise purportedly proper terminations and employee disciplinary actions within the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, a state appeals panel has upheld the termination of a Cook County Sheriff’s employee even though the merit board the sheriff uses to review employee discipline and terminations was illegally constituted at the time the officer was fired.
Appeals panel: Retirement home liable under federal housing law for residents' harassment of lesbian resident
A federal appeals panel has ruled an independent and assisted living facility can be held liable for a harassment suffered by a lesbian resident at the hands of other residents, because of her sexuality.
American Airlines workers bring class action saying material in new gray uniforms made them sick
American Airlines employees have filed a class action complaint against the carrier and the company that makes their new uniforms, alleging chemicals in the synthetic fabric have sickened thousands of workers.
Judge grounds workers' class action vs Southwest over fingerprint scans, says subject to union talks
A federal judge has dismissed a class action lawsuit accusing Southwest Airlines of violating employees’ privacy rights, saying the dispute instead should be subject to union negotiations.
Cook County judge: County's guns, ammo tax an 'inconsequential burden,' doesn't violate constitutions
A Cook County judge has ruled the county’s guns and ammunition tax doesn’t violate the Constitution or the rights of firearm owners, saying the tax is little more than an “inconsequential burden” on gun owners.