News from November 2016
Federal judge expands power of 'Special Master' to review state agency political hiring practices
More than two years into an investigation of hiring practices at the Illinois Department of Transportation, a federal judge has expanded the power of the review panel to cover all other state agencies under the oversight of Illinois' governor.
'Trump sold himself as a wild card:' Incoming president's impact on labor law could be a mystery
CHICAGO – To many, the results of this year’s presidential election came as a surprise. That surprise could be the first of many in terms of labor and employment policies when the Donald Trump administration takes over in January.
Judge: New jail policy allowed sheriff to avoid order to distribute prisoner rights journal to inmates
A federal judge has sided with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and its policy of keeping inmates at the county jail from reading magazines focused on the legal rights of prisoners.
PNC settles asst. bank managers' unpaid OT claims class action for $6M; $2M to plaintiffs' attorneys
A little over a year since a group of several hundred assistant bank branch managers sued PNC Bank for allegedly denying them overtime pay, a federal judge in Chicago has signed off on a deal to end the litigation for $6 million, which would send around $2,000 on average to each of the allegedly wronged assistant managers and $2 million to the attorneys who brought the case.
'Joint employer' status in franchise operations could see change in regulation under Trump
With the arrival of a new presidential administration in Washington, D.C., franchisers and their advocates are hopeful the push by the Obama administration to change the way the relationship between franchisers and franchisees are regulated will be tossed out, as well.
Drive-thru headset parts maker says Greenberg Traurig, LeClair Ryan law firms cost it $9M settlement
A suburban electronic parts company is suing Chicago- and Virginia-based law firms for allegedly short-circuiting its defense against a trademark infringement lawsuit, which resulted in $9 million in allegedly unnecessary fees, sanctions and settlement costs.
Chicago lawyer says neighbors using alderman to block his home project, demands alderman's emails
A Chicago lawyer has taken to court his dispute with his neighbors and a Chicago alderman over his Wicker Park home construction project, asking a Cook County judge to order the city of Chicago and Alderman Joe Moreno to turn over all emails, text messages and other communications which may show whether friends of Moreno – the lawyer’s neighbors – had used the alderman to block him from installing a heated sidewalk at his house.
New Chicago tax on bags will yield revenue, but maybe not environmental benefits
The city of Chicago will begin charging people next year a tax for each bag they use to haul groceries and other items purchased at retailers in the city. But while the tax will produce income for the city, it remains to be seen how much the tax will actually do to reduce the number of plastic bags Chicagoans use - a major selling point for such taxes in Chicago and other locales.
Judge rejects bid by airline support company Air Serv to block Tuesday O'Hare strike
With just hours to go before unionized airline support workers take to the picket lines for a scheduled strike at O’Hare International Airport, a Chicago federal judge has denied an attempt by one of the employers targeted by the work stoppage to bar its employees from participating in what it calls an illegal strike action.
Fisker investors class action: Bankers duped them into pouring funds into failed electric car biz
Facing a class-action complaint potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars, a group of investment bankers accused of misleading investors into pouring funds into a failed electric car venture – described as “the largest venture capital-backed debacle in U.S. history” - have taken the litigation to federal court.
Voter turnout high in suburban Cook County but doesn’t reach 2008 turnout
Voter turnout in the suburban areas of Cook County failed to reach the high levels garnered in the 2008 presidential election, but still easily surpassed the last presidential election cycle in 2012, the Cook County Clerk's office reported, as voters turned out in strong numbers to tackle a host of races and referendums.
Legislators may override governor's veto of plan to automatically sign up voters
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois legislators are looking to make voting even easier by overriding the governor’s veto of a bill designed to register voters when they apply for driver’s licenses.
Panel: Those with bowel diseases can sue retailers who refuse them bathroom access under IL law
A Chicago appeals panel has reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a suit against the Anthropologie retail chain, saying a customer with a bowel disease can sue the company under a state restroom access law for not letting her use an employee bathroom, which caused her to soil herself in public.
Ruling in Wisconsin redistricting lawsuit could provide pathway for reform in Illinois
A legal fight over the way legislative districts are drawn in Wisconsin could have implications for Illinois voters who have called for similar reform.
Investors serve up Cook County court fight over funds at Harry Caray's Rosemont
The partners who own and run the Rosemont location of Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse are squaring off over the restaurant’s finances, as one of the partners claims the others may be maneuvering to squeeze him out of his cut of the restaurant’s proceeds.
Voters OK absorption of Cook County Recorder's duties into Clerk's office, potentially saving millions
This past Election Day, Cook County voters chose to merge the Cook County Clerk’s Office and the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, a move supporters believe will result in cost savings and increased efficiency for taxpayers.
Woman claims injection of substance caused an inflamed reaction
A patient accuses health provider of negligence due to the injection of "hydrogel."
Man files suit against Chicago, Hertz claiming he tripped on traffic spikes, was injured
A man is suing Chicago Department of Aviation, The Hertz Corp., City of Chicago, and John Doe Corporation, John Doe, property owners, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries when he tripped over traffic spikes in the roadway.
Glenshire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center cited in lawsuit for insufficient care of patient
An administrator is suing Glenshire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and related entities, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence.
Guest claims Hampton Inn concealed a hole in the floor with carpet, leading to her injuries
A woman is suing TMI Hospitality, which does business as Hampton Inn, alleging insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries, liability and negligence.