News from May 2015
Appellate panel: Zurich insurers not on hook for $8 million fax-blasting settlement
Insurance companies will not need to pay out $8 million to help a Pennsylvania company settle a class action for reportedly “fax-blasting” hundreds of businesses in Illinois and elsewhere, after a state appellate panel determined the sending of the faxes at the center of the case could not be considered an “accidental” occurrence under Pennsylvania law.On May 13, a three-justice panel of the Illinois
IL Supreme Court suspends Aleman, Macey two years for Legal Helpers Debt Resolution scheme; other attorneys disbarred, suspended
Two Chicago attorneys who built a nationwide business in the 1990s and early 2000s purportedly helping consumers resolve personal debt issues have been suspended from practicing law in Illinois for the next two years.
Markham church alleges city officials improperly using zoning laws to cast it out of neighborhood
A Markham church has claimed Markham city officials violated a number of laws, including the church's right to the exercise of religion, when they denied the church's request for a special use permit to operate a church in a residential area. City officials, in response, have moved to have the case handled in federal court, rather than in Cook County’s circuit courtrooms.
Federal judge dismisses much of Chicago suit vs. drugmakers over misleading marketing of Oxycontin, other opioid painkillers
Several companies who make popular prescription pain killing drugs, including Actavis and Johnson & Johnson, have secured wins in their fight to forestall a lawsuit brought by the city of Chicago, alleging they fraudulently marketed their drugs in the last few decades, leading doctors to prescribe the drugs and compel the city, as its workers’ health insurer, to pay for them when it otherwise should
Rewards Network sues restaurant over unpaid dining rewards
A company has sued to recover dining credits allegedly left unpaid.Rewards Network and Establishment Services Inc. filed suit May 5 in Cook County Circuit Court against 101 International Investment Group, doing business as 101 Cantina or 101 Downtown, and Martha L. Thomas, alleging breach of contract.The lawsuit states the defendant breached a dining credits program agreement and owes $43,115.Rewards
Exotic dancer brings class action vs. South Loop adult dance club over unpaid wages
An exotic dancer has filed a class action suit against the club at which she works, alleging the club’s owners have improperly designated her and the club’s dozens of other dancers as “independent contractors,” denying them wages and overtime pay she alleges the dancers are due under federal labor law.
Woman alleges injuries from fall at Mexican art museum
National Museum of Mexican ArtA woman has sued a Mexican art museum in Chicago, alleging she was injured in a fall at the museum.Maria Romero filed suit April 28 in Cook County Circuit Court against the National Museum of Mexican Art, citing negligence and carelessness.According to the complaint, on April 28, 2013, Romero was at the museum, 1852 W. 19th St, Chicago, to see an early afternoon puppet
Chicago police officer cleared of sexual assault sues CPD, alleges charges were malicious
A Chicago Police officer who was cleared of sexual assault charges has sued police officers and the Chicago Police Department, alleging malicious prosecution.
Three medical firms sue over unpaid bills for treatment of workplace injury
JohnsonThree medical practices have sued a patient to collect an alleged unpaid debt stemming from treatment she received for a workplace injury, for which she had filed a workers compensation claim.Marque Medicos Farnsworth, of Aurora; Medicos Pain and Surgical Specialists, of Chicago; and Ambulatory Surgical Care Facility, of Aurora, filed suit May 5 in Cook County Circuit Court against Olga Lope
Amtrak sues city over condition of Canal Street Viaduct at Union Station, alleges neglected maintenance
Union StationAmtrak and its subsidiary, the company overseeing operations at Union Station, have sued the city of Chicago to force the city to repair the underside of Canal Street running over tracks at the historic train station, and reimburse Amtrak and the station operators for the maintenance work they’ve already done on the viaduct over the last two years.Monday, May 11, Amtrak and the Chicago
