News from February 2017
Whitepages latest people search site hit by class action alleging wrongly uses people's names for ads
Yet another online people search website has been targeted for allegedly breaking an Illinois privacy law, as a new class action alleges WhitePages.com also wrongly uses a web search advertising technique to use people’s names to market their search reports.
Attorney fees in Johnson & Johnson baby bath products settlement raise eyebrows but spur no action
A class-action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson that resulted in a $5 million settlement, including $1.5 million dollars in attorney fees, has raised questions of fairness, but not enough to persuade one class action settlement watchdog organization to get involved.
Judge: Calif. woman's class action can continue vs debt collector Harris & Harris over cell calls
A Cook County judge has cleared a California woman to continue her class action lawsuit against a Chicago-based debt collector who she accused of breaking federal law in using so-called “skip tracing” to call her on her mobile phone to collect unpaid traffic tickets.
Class action: ParkChicago app users owed money by city, vendors for bogus parking tickets
The city of Chicago and the vendor to which the city paid $1.2 billion to install and run Chicago’s street parking meter system have been hit with a class action lawsuit, alleging the vendor and the city should be made to pay up for parking tickets wrongly issued to motorists who were actually legally parked after paying for their parking using the ParkChicago smartphone app.
Contractor says Mars Bar, others have failed to pay for work, fixtures
A contractor is suing Reel Deal Inc., which does business as Mars Bar, and associated individuals and entities, including Maria E. Martinez, Mario Martinez, Mariano Martinez, Juan O. Castaneda and Waterfall Olympic Master Fund Grantor Trust Series II, as well as others, citing alleged breach of contract.
Former Evanston city employee alleges harassment, improper termination
A former employee is suing the city of Evanston and a former supervisor at the city, with varying claims against the defendants including breach of contract, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, and willful and wanton conduct.
Class action says texting 'Y' not enough, AMC needed to get written consent before texting customers
Cinema chain AMC has been hit with a class lawsuit claiming the theater company wrongly added people to marketing lists to send them text messages promoting upcoming movies and encouraging other purchases.
Company that sells advertising to Uber, Lyft passengers sues Chicago, says tilted city rules favor taxis
A Minneapolis-based tech firm which provides interactive video advertising to be displayed in Uber and Lyft vehicles has sued the city of Chicago, saying the city’s rules forbidding the ride-hailing services from displaying advertising on or in their vehicles, while allowing traditional taxis to do so, unconstitutionally favors the taxis at the expense of the other drivers.
Attorneys without malpractice insurance must do self-assessment to decrease risk, ARDC says
The Illinois Supreme Court has issued a new rule, at the urging of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), concerning lawyers who opt to practice law without malpractice insurance.
Woman claims nasal surgery left her with septal perforation
A former patient is suing Steven D. Horwitz, M.D., alleging negligence in medical care.
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service driver accused of causing motorist's injuries
A man is suing Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service and one of its employees, alleging the employee drove an ambulance into his vehicle and caused him to be injured.
Lawsuit alleges systematic hazing, mistreatment of athletes dating back decades at Lake Zurich H.S.
Alleging systematic hazing going back two decades, the families of two Lake Zurich High School football players filed a federal lawsuit Feb. 1 against the school, administrators and coaches.
White woman's lawsuit placed on hold vs sperm bank over insemination via black donor
A high-profile lawsuit brought against an Illinois sperm bank by a white woman who claims she was wrongfully impregnated by a black donor’s sperm is on hold after a federal judge in Chicago granted a motion to stay the case, to allow an Illinois appeals court to decide the fate of a nearly identical lawsuit dismissed from DuPage County court.
Tax incentive packages handed out to several city, suburban Cook County businesses to remain, expand
Saying the county is trying to work with local communities to boost the local economy, the Cook County Board has approved a series of tax incentive packages recommended by the county's Bureau of Economic Development.
SNAP rep denies lawsuit's accusation sex abuse survivors group colludes with lawyers for kickbacks
A former employee of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is suing the group, alleging collusion with survivors' attorneys - charges the group denies.
Court: IL Property Tax board should win battle over value of Loop high rise across from Union Station
A Chicago appeals court has backed the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board’s decision to peg the value of a West Loop high-rise, situated across from Union Station, at $74 million, brushing aside the owners’ contention it was actually worth $58 million, saying the owners were given a fair shake and their appraisal was “unreliable” and “confusing.”
Woman says Chicago's Mercy Hospital and Medical Center failed to prevent injuries
A woman is suing Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, of Chicago; doctors Joao Ubatuba, John Mitchell and Lawrence Steinberg; CVT Surgeons, Ltd.; Northstar Anesthesia of Illinois LLC and associated entities; and RM Anesthesia LLC, alleging insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence.
Woman's family claims inadequate care at Advocate Sherman Hospital resulted in ruptured aorta
A woman's family is suing Advocate Sherman Hospital, of Elgin; Dr. Michael Sims; CEP America Illinois LLP; and CEP America-Illinois P.C., alleging that insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence.
Woman claims Fitness International failed to prevent assault in women's bathroom at Glenview location
A woman is suing Fitness International, LLC, which does business as LA Fitness, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries at the company's Glenview location.
Woman claims Chicago doctor failed to provide proper care
A woman is suing Dr. Michael Appiagyei, of Chicago, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence.