News from 2016
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.
Woman alleges defective insulin pump led to premature birth of her baby
A mother is suing Medtronic Minimed, Inc and related companies, as well as Edwards Health Care Services, Inc.; Mercy Hospital and Medical Center; Zeina Habib, M.D., and others, saying defects in insulin pump and infusion devices contributed to the premature birth of her son.
IMRF: Deloitte owes for big unfinished pension software job; Deloitte: IMRF infringed copyright
A contract dispute between a state agency that manages pension funds for many Illinois local governments and retirees and a software vendor was moved into federal district court when the vendor added a counterclaim alleging copyright infringement.
Beecher Manor Nursing & Rehab Center, others accused of negligence in care
A deceased woman's family is suing Beecher Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Central Street Management LLC; Beecher Properties LLC; Extended Care Consulting LLC; and Extended Care Clinical LLC, alleging negligence in nursing home care.
Fenwick H.S. loses bid to overturn football state playoff loss in court
Fenwick High School has failed in its bid to overturn via lawsuit bad in-game officiating which cost its football team a chance to play for an Illinois state title, after a Cook County judge opted not to intervene in the matter.
Nursing facility accused of negligent conditions that led to a broken hip
A family member is suing Victory Centre fo Vernon Hills, a nursing facility, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence to his relative.
Patient says doctor's prescribed acne treatment harmed his vision
A man accuses dermatologist of using a product that led to scarring and diminished vision.
Voters OK'd term limits for their towns, but barriers make applying limits statewide difficult
On Election Day, four Cook County communities took action on an issue that many voters in Illinois want to see addressed on a much larger scale: term limits.
Walgreens: Didn't mislead anyone to pay a Chicago beverage tax; judge should dismiss class action
Walgreens has asked a judge to dismiss a class action complaint it faces over a nickel beverage tax. In a Nov. 2 Cook County Circuit Court filing, Deerfield-based Walgreens Boots Alliance asked Judge Diane J. Larsen to dismiss a complaint Destin McIntosh filed Aug. 15, in which McIntosh claimed the pharmacy giant improperly charged a 5-cent tax.
Texas federal judge slaps hold on Obama administration's new Overtime Rule
A Texas federal judge granted a nationwide preliminary injunction against the U.S. Department of Labor’s “unlawful” new Overtime Rule.
Fenwick H.S. lawsuit vs IHSA over football playoff result to be heard by retiring judge, Oak Park resident
With the fate of the season for two high school football programs – and potentially a state title – hanging in the balance, retiring Cook County Circuit Judge Kathleen Kennedy is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday over a request by a Catholic high school hailing from her hometown to force Illinois High School Association to reverse the on-field results of a semifinal playoff contest between Fenwick High School and Plainfield North, which was decided in large part on an erroneous end-of-game c