News from November 2016
Workers accuse Ferrara of not paying them for work at start of shift, breaking OT laws
Chicago area candymaker Ferrara has been hit with a potential class action lawsuit on behalf of perhaps hundreds of current and former workers at its suburban candy plants, accusing the company of failing to pay its workers for the time they spent getting ready for their shifts each day at the plant, effectively meaning the company has failed to pay overtime as required by federal and state wage laws.
Write-in judicial candidate: Votes for ex-law clerk suspended for impersonating judge shouldn't count
An appointed Cook County judge, running as a write-in candidate for an elected judicial seat on one of the county’s judicial subcircuits, has asked a Cook County judge to toss out the more than 85,000 votes received by her opponent for the judgeship, Democratic Party nominee Rhonda Crawford, a former law clerk whose law license was suspended by the Illinois Supreme Court shortly before Election Day amid accusations she impersonated a judge from the bench.
Taxing soda drinkers will produce new revenue, but may not produce hoped-for results
Cook County will be among the growing number of local governments across the country to slap a tax on sugary and sweetened beverages, after the Cook County Board signed off on a proposal introduced by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to impose a special tax on those drinks as part of the county's new budget. But the tax may not necessarily produce the kinds of results sought by supporters, including reduced obesity rates and enhanced revenues, according to an analysis from The Tax Fo
Appeals panel tosses 'labyrinth' of suits vs lawyers from man whose wife died in Colorado bus accident
A state appeals panel has cut through a complex web of legal malpractice actions brought by a man who had essentially alleged many of his ex-lawyers had conspired with intercity bus operator Greyhound Lines to keep him from suing over his wife’s death in a bus accident 15 years ago. The appellate order upheld a circuit court ruling on the consolidated cases that has involved several Illinois attorneys and more than 25 appeals.
Joya Communications accused of violating phone laws
Two women have filed a class action lawsuit against Joya Communications Inc., a California business, citing alleged violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Man blames assault on actions of Maxbar and Bamboo Lounge
A man is suing Jo-Kim Lounge Corp., which does business as Maxbar and Bamboo Lounge, alleging that the bar is liable for an assault due to the provisions of the Dram Shop Act.
Coach USA and Megabus USA accused of retaliatory firing
A former driver is suing Coach USA Inc. and Megabus USA LLC, claiming that he was fired in retaliation for filing a workers' compensation claim.
'Joint employer' lawsuit vs Amazon, trucking companies illustrates reach of doctrine pushed by NLRB
A class action lawsuit recently filed against Amazon and a trucking operation that works with the online retailer illustrate the reach of the "joint employer" doctrine now being expanded by federal regulators, an attorney who focuses on labor and employment issues.
Class actions accuse Turano Baking of breaking wage law, Highland Baking of racial discrimination
Class action lawsuits brought against Chicago area breadmakers say Turano Baking needs to pay its workers to dress onsite for their shifts, and Highland Baking's hiring preferences discriminate against African American laborers.
Heritage nursing homes lawsuit says state of IL not processing patients' Medicaid apps, paying claims
A group of Illinois nursing homes has asked a federal judge to order the Illinois state government to pay them for services rendered to patients receiving assistance under Medicaid, saying the state has failed to live up to its obligations under federal law to promptly process patient Medicaid applications for a number of their nursing home residents or pay their claims.
Woman alleges she was abused by Woodbine Elementary School teacher as student
A former Cicero School District 99 student alleges she was sexually abused by her kindergarten teacher more than a decade ago.
Insurance firm seeks declaration in ADA suit against Andy's Hot Dogs
A Wisconsin-based insurance company is seeking declaration from the court that it has no obligation to defend a South Holland restaurant against a suit brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Woman alleges United Airlines employee injured her by striking her with tug, baggage cart
A pedestrian alleges she was injured after she was struck by a tug operated by a United Airlines employee.
Employee allege Information Controls Inc. did not pay commissions
A sales executive alleges a Northfield business owes him unpaid commissions.
St. Bernard Hospital accused of negligence in sanitation procedures
An administrator of a deceased man's estate has filed a wrongful death claim against St. Bernard Hospital and Healthcare Center, alleging negligence in medical care.
Couple allege they were wrongfully evicted from apartment
A couple has filed suit against several parties alleging they were wrongfully evicted from their apartment and claim slanderous statements were made about the wife.
Damages sought after girl allegedly hit in head at Schaumburg High School
mother of a minor girl is suing Maxim Healthcare, a Maxim employee and School District 211, seeking compensation over an allegation that her daughter was hit in the head with a hockey stick.
Server class action says Lawry's Prime Rib owes workers pay for time spent studying for duty tests
A server at the Chicago version of a popular chain of upscale steakhouses has brought a class action lawsuit against her employer, saying the company owes money under federal and state law to her and others who wait tables at the restaurant for compelling them to study for written tests about the restaurant, its menu and their duties while off the clock, without pay.
EPA, Citgo reach $4 million deal to end action over air pollution at Lemont refinery
Federal regulators and Citgo have worked out an understanding, in which the oil giant has agreed to spend $4 million to reduce the discharge of air pollution from a refinery in suburban Lemont.
New city red light, speed camera ordinance 'illegal' try at re-collecting voided tickets, class action says
Saying the new ordinance marks nothing more than an illegal attempt by Chicago City Hall to collect fines and fees on old traffic tickets already voided by a judge, a group of plaintiffs who earlier secured the key court victories in their quest to collect refunds for potentially more than 1 million tickets issued under the city’s red light and speed camera programs have returned to Cook County court, asking a judge to declare the new ordinance unconstitutional.