News from December 2015
Former store workers cleared to bring wage, hour class action against Family Video
A federal judge was not swayed by Family Video’s “creative” arguments against granting class certification in a lawsuit filed by a group of the retailer’s former employees, allowing the litigation to move forward under both federal and Illinois wage and hour laws.
Guardian alleges Easter Seals of Metro Chicago didn't stop sexual abuse of person with disabilities in their care
A guardian is suing a Cook County group home for young adults with developmental disabilities, alleging failure to to protect one of its residents from sexual abuse.
IL Supreme Court says tax deed buyers need only show due process satisfied, not prove delinquent homeowners were notified
Homeowners who fail to pay their property taxes can still legally lose their homes even if the buyer of the tax deed can’t confirm the former homeowners have been notified, so long as county officials and the buyers make a realistic effort to contact the delinquent taxpayer and satisfy due process requirements under the law, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled.
Doctor accuses Loyola University Medical Center, Trinity Health of malpractice
CHICAGO–A Cook County physician is suing Loyola University Medical Center, alleging the staff's failure to properly monitor him after surgery led to a disabling heart attack.
Mother alleges disabled son’s caregivers committed negligence in lung injury
CHICAGO–A Cook County woman is suing an Elgin nursing home, alleging negligence in treating her disabled 23-year-old son.
Jet passengers accuse Boeing of negligence for injuries suffered during crash
CHICAGO–About 70 U.S. and European passengers aboard a Boeing 777 that had engine trouble are suing the aircraft maker, alleging negligence related to their injuries.
Daughter accuses Alden Park of negligence in death of 70-year-old mother
CHICAGO–A Cook County woman is suing her mother’s nursing caregivers, alleging negligence and wrongful death.
Son blames oncologist for elderly father’s prostate cancer death
CHICAGO–A Cook County man is suing an oncologist, alleging a canceled appointment led to his elderly father’s death from prostate cancer.
Seventh Circuit: Dart violated rights in coercing vendors to stop doing business with Backpage.com
A federal appeals panel handed Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart a stinging defeat, saying the county’s chief law enforcement officer had trampled the free speech rights of the owners of the country’s second-largest provider of online classified advertising space when he and his office moved to stem funding to and potentially put the site out of business over concerns the site was used to facilitate prostitution and sex trafficking.
Cook County Pension Fund faces civil suit after refusal to turn over performance reviews
Financial Investment News (FIN) has filed suit against the Cook County Pension Fund, alleging the Fund violated the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by refusing to disclose performance reviews sought by FIN.
Health care providers allege insurance companies embezzled funds
A group of Cook County health care providers is suing health insurance giant Cigna and other health-related businesses, alleging embezzlement and insurance fraud.
Judge says whistleblower can't collect in FDIC action vs failed bank over appraisal fraud, because FDIC not 'government'
A federal judge has blocked the bid of a former appraisal reviewer who blew the whistle on alleged fraud at a failed suburban bank from collecting as much as a quarter of any settlement the directors of the bank may reach with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, upholding the ruling of another judge who found the FDIC cannot be considered a “government” agency for the purposes of the false claims law upon which the former bank employee has staked his claim.
Family says Chicago hospitals allowed relative to develop fatal bed sores
The family of an Illinois man is suing multiple Chicago hospitals and health care centers, alleging they caused injuries that led to the death of a loved one.
Bensenville residents blame Chicago for O'Hare planes flying too close to homes
A group of Bensenville residents is suing the city of Chicago, alleging the city is not fulfilling its end of the deal regarding a new runway at O’Hare International Airport.
Family accuses University of Chicago Hospital of wrongful death
CHICAGO — A Cook County family is suing a Chicago hospital, alleging negligence in the death of a loved one.
Executive job applicant cleared to sue company he claims phrased job ads to 'weed out' older applicants
A 59-year-old executive will be allowed to proceed with his age discrimination lawsuit against a San Diego-based maker of medical devices after a federal judge declined to dismiss his allegations the company that wouldn't give him an interview worded its open job listings in a way intended to discretely “weed out” older, more experienced applicants.
Fired African-American Chicago elections worker says lost job after refusing order to print blank ballots for boss' 'friends'
An African-American 24-year veteran employee of the agency that oversees and administers elections in the city of Chicago has sued her former employer, claiming she was fired after refusing a superior’s alleged order to print blank ballots for his friends, and she was then replaced by a white male. On Nov. 30, Sheri Bowen filed a complaint in Cook County Circuit Court against the Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago.