News from August 2016
Appeals panel: Chicago PD right to fire officers accused in off-duty 2006 assault of man in restaurant
A state appellate panel said two Chicago police officers should indeed lose their jobs for an off-duty assault on a civilian, overturning the decision of a Cook County judge who had found the Chicago Police Board was wrong in firing the officers.
Medical patient alleges lack of training
CHICAGO — A man is suing Giovanni D. Giannotti, M.D.; Giovanni D. Giannotti, M.D., S.C.; Boffa Surgical Group, L.L.C.; and Boffa Surgical Group, alleging negligence in medical care.
Driver who allegedly struck man mowing lawn accused of negligence
CHICAGO — An administrator of a deceased man's estate is suing motorist Ibrahim N. Ziad, alleging that he negligently veered off a street and fatally struck a man mowing his lawn.
Woman claims error during hysterectomy
CHICAGO — A patient is suing Bryon Rosner, M.D., alleging negligence in medical care.
Wrongful death claim alleges negligence by nursing home
CHICAGO — An administrator of a deceased woman's estate is suing Kensington Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center LLC, d/b/a Kensington Place, in a wrongful death suit alleging negligence in nursing home care.
Nursing home accused of negligence in supervision
CHICAGO — A representative is suing Warren Barr Gold Coast, Warren Barr Living & Rehab Center LLC, Astoria Place Living & Rehab Center, Astoria Place Living and Rehabilitation Center LLC and Astoria Place Skilled Nursing Facility LLC, alleging negligence in nursing home care.
Redflex whistleblower tossed from $300 million lawsuit over Chicago red light camera bribery scheme
A lawsuit, potentially worth as much as $300 million, will continue against Redflex, the company accused of bribing Chicago’s former transportation director to land the city’s red light camera deal. But the former Redflex executive who aided the investigation into the bribery accusations and filed the lawsuit on behalf of the city will not be allowed to attempt to claim a cut of any potential award.
Judge: Banks not on hook to shield businesses from employees who use app to double-deposit checks
A Lakeview hotel business will not be allowed to press its class action claim JP Morgan Chase should be held responsible for fraud perpetrated by people using Chase’s mobile banking app to double-deposit checks, creating legal and financial headaches for those issuing the checks.
TIF revenue up in Chicago, but it may not be helping where needed most, clerk's report says
Revenue collected in the city of Chicago's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts will increase 23.9 percent this year, according to a report recently issued by Cook County Clerk David Orr. But it appears that failing neighborhoods that need revitalization the most are not seeing as much benefit from TIF, relative to areas that are already thriving.
Mother alleges improper care for son at medical center
CHICAGO — An administrator of a deceased man's estate is suing Harvey J. Friedman, Daniel D. Rivard, Thomas H. Burnstine, Heidi B. Furr, Kelley Harrison and Advocate Condell Medical Center, health providers, citing alleged negligence pursuant to the Illinois Wrongful Death Act.
Man claims negligence in nursing home care
CHICAGO — A man is suing The Renaissance at Midway Inc. and Symphony Healthcare LLC, d/b/a Symphony at Midway, alleging negligence in nursing home care.
IL taxpayers can sue to block business tax credit program costing the state too much: Panel
An Illinois appeals panel in Springfield, in overturning a lower court decision, has ruled taxpayers have the right to try to block a state commerce agency from administering a business development tax credit program the group of taxpayers has argued is actually an alleged illegal state tax improperly eating up public funds.
Gonzales sues IL House Speaker, says Madigan, allies defamed him using improperly obtained records
After failing to defeat one of Illinois’ most powerful politicians at the ballot box, Jason Gonzales is trying his hand in a federal courtroom. Gonzales, a Chicago Democrat, filed a complaint Aug. 5 claiming he was defamed by Michael J. Madigan, the longtime speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and the man who defeated Gonzales in a Democratic primary this spring, Madigan's allies and others to sabotage his candidacy.
Infrastructure council applauds Cook County's 25-year transportation plan
CHICAGO — With the introduction of a long-range transportation plan, Cook County officials have outlined priorities for the county that will impact local decisions, as well as plans across the region.
Seventh Circuit's ruling in favor of pancake houses in tip credit dispute may resonate
A decision in favor of a suburban Chicago chain of pancake houses in a wage dispute over how much it pays its tipped staff could have ramifications far beyond the local restaurant landscape.
Park Grill, City Hall reach deal to end years-long court fight over 'sweetheart' contract
The city of Chicago and the owners of the Park Grill restaurant in Millennium Park have reached a settlement to end the years-long legal saga cutting across Chicago’s culture of politics and clout.
Appeals panel says firefighter can press work comp claim for PTSD
The state’s workers’ compensation commission will need to take a second look at a Homewood firefighter’s claim for coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder, after a state appeals court ruled legal precedent exists to support his claim and the commission was too hasty to toss his claims.
Nutrition consultant SportFuel says Gatorade's new marketing campaign stepped on its trademark
Sportfuel Inc., a nutrition consulting firm in Chicago’s western suburbs which says it has worked with several Chicago professional sports teams and other “elite” athletes and athletic organizations “worldwide,” has sued Pepsico and Gatorade, saying one of the companies’ newer Gatorade marketing slogans has ripped off the consulting firm’s name and identity.
Terror attack victims will not be allowed to seize ancient Persian artifacts, will need to seek other remedy
In a rare case, a museum collection will not be used to satisfy a judgment against another nation - in this case, the country of Iran, which has been accused of having sponsored a 1997 terrorist attack in Jerusalem in which eight Americans were injured.
Congressional candidate, Liberty Justice Center challenge IL Election Day voter registration program
A Western Illinois Republican Congressional candidate has partnered with a Chicago-based public-interest litigation group to challenge Illinois’ Election Day voter registration program, saying the state’s system is unfairly slanted to favor counties with the biggest populations and, by extension, to boost the likelihood of Democratic candidates succeeding at the polls.