News from December 2016
Northshore Medical Group among those accused of failure to diagnose in timely manner
A patient is suing Northshore University Healthsystem Skokie Hospital and Northshore Medical Group and two individuals, alleging negligence in medical care.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, others blamed for alleged surgical error
A patient is suing medical care providers, alleging negligence in a surgical error that led to injury.
Northshore University Health System faces accusation of mishandling infection, heart condition
A representative of a deceased man's estate is suing Northshore University Health System, alleging that negligence in medical care led to suffering and death.
Judge nixes countersuit claiming 'troll' 'seeded' porn vids online to expose targets for copyright suits
A Chicago federal judge has dismissed the counterclaim by a defendant in an adult movie copyright infringement case, who tried to escape the lawsuit against him by arguing pornographers had set him up to be sued by planting their skin flicks on an internet medium known for facilitating video piracy.
Judge: Chicago Elections Board must pay share of local GOP's costs for fight over commiteeman rules
A federal judge has ordered the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners and an ousted Chicago Republican Party committeeman to pay the local GOP’s attorney fees and costs for a court fight that followed the Chicago Elections Board’s attempt to force the local Republican Party to seat committemen, even if those committeemen had voted in previous years in Democratic primaries, in violation of the local party’s rules.
City Hall can't tax mortgage transfers, because mortgages don't equal ownership, appeals panel says
A state appeals panel in Chicago has ruled the city of Chicago can’t impose its real estate transfer tax on mortgage assignments for two properties – one on the Gold Coast – because mortgages don’t confer ownership, and so are not “beneficial interests” as defined by the tax ordinance.
SailTime boat-sharing parent company countersues to avoid liability in 2014 Lake Michigan deaths
A 2014 Lake Michigan boating death, which already gave rise to one lawsuit, is at the center of a counterclaim action filed Dec. 9 in Cook County Circuit Court, as the parent organization for a Chicago area boat-sharing group has filed suit to ask a judge to declare it should not be forced to share in the defense against the lawsuit over the boating accident.
IL appeals panel breaks with colleagues, says hospital tax exemptions constitutional
Even as they noted their decision conflicts with the findings of their colleagues in Springfield, a panel of state appeals court justices in Chicago has ruled the Illinois law exempting nonprofit hospitals from property taxes is, indeed, constitutional.
Man hurt in crash wants court to nix healthcare liens
A man has filed a petition to adjudicate healthcare liens with Illinois Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Rush University Medical Center named as respondents, claiming that their liens against him are invalid and that his attempts to resolve them have been unsuccessful.
Appeals panel: N. Riverside can't claim hardship to skirt police, fire pension obligations
A Chicago appeals court has ruled a state hearing officer was within his discretion when he decided not to swallow a suburban village's contention it didn't contribute to fire and police pensions, because of financial hardship brought on by the Great Recession and its impacts on the village’s economy.
Credit voucher firm Vouchera accuses Frontier of breaking contract, smearing them to customers
A breach of contract dispute between rival credit card processing firms who provided services to taxi operators in Chicago and elsewhere has pulled into federal court. Vouchera, an Illinois firm whose principals are based in Arizona, filed the five-count complaint Dec. 19 in Chicago against Frontier Payments, of New York, and Vantiv Inc., of Ohio.
Audrey L. Gaynor, Richard D. Felice accused of charging too much for legal services
A woman is suing attorney Audrey L. Gaynor; Gaynor's law practice, Audrey L. Gaynor & Associates P.C.; and attorney Richard D. Felice, citing alleged breach of contract.
Alden Estates of Barrington blamed for resident's fall injuries
A resident is suing Alden Estates of Barrington Inc., alleging negligence in nursing home care.
Manorcare Health Services - South Holland accused of shortcoming in care
A woman is suing Manorcare Health Services - South Holland, alleging negligence in nursing home care.
Presence Health, others accused of failure to provide proper diagnosis
A married couple's lawsuit against several medical providers alleges they failed to properly diagnose a man's health condition.
Roti Restaurants accused in class action of printing too many card number digits on receipts
Roti Restaurants, a Chicago-based chain specializing in fast, fresh Mediterranean-style food, has been served with a class action lawsuit, alleging the chain prints too many digits from its customers’ credit and debit cards on receipts.
Class action: Uber owes for double charging drivers to use its Instant Pay feature to get paid
An Uber driver has dropped off a class action lawsuit against the ride-sharing giant, alleging Uber has taken double in fees what they said they would from drivers who use a new instant payment option to cash out the money they earn from the rides they provide.
Facebook: IL Biometrics Privacy law unconstitutional; outcome of case still being closely watched
Tag friends in a photo online, and Facebook and other social media companies could get sued. But Facebook has now asked a California judge to declare unconstitutional an Illinois biometrics privacy law under which such lawsuits have been brought against Facebook and other social media and digital photo-sharing sites.
Elgin pastor, church accused of sexual harassment, defamation
A woman is suing United Pentecostal Church International, of Elgin, and its pastor Manfred Malagon, individually and as agent of the church, alleging defamation and sexual harassment.
Wrongful death suit accuses Forest Edge Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, others of negligence in care
A deceased man's family has filed a wrongful death claim against Forest Edge Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center LLC and Bria Health Services of Forest Edge, alleging negligence in nursing home care.