News from January 2017
$200K deal to end FAA action vs commercial drone operator Skypan delivers message to other drone users
Skypan International, an aerial photography company based in Chicago, has agreed to pay a fine of $200,000 to end an enforcement action brought by the Federal Aviation Administration. But while the deal saved the company nearly $1.7 million compared to the fine the FAA had initially sought, the case should send a message to drone operators of all kinds that the FAA is serious about enforcing its rules on private and commercial drone operation, said a Chicago attorney.
Woman alleges excessive force, false arrest by Chicago police
A woman is suing the city of Chicago and several police officers, citing alleged excessive force and violation of civil rights.
California Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center accused of negligence in man's death
A deceased man's family has filed a wrongful death claim against California Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, alleging negligence in nursing home care.
Appeals panel: City of Harvey can't argue its way out of paying police pension fund $7M
Perhaps ending a dispute that dates back more than a decade, an Illinois appeals court has ordered the city of Harvey to pay more than $7 million to its police pension fund.
Full public discussion of departing schools superintendent's deal not required, IL Supreme Court says
The Illinois Supreme Court has affirmed lower court rulings that a Springfield school board was not required to publicly go into detail about a superintendent’s separation agreement and ensure the public understood the agreement – as the Illinois Attorney General asserted – but rather it was sufficient for the board to summarize the nature of the agreement to the public.
Class action: $400 Louisville Slugger bats contain design bug, but maker tried to swing it as a feature
Louisville Slugger and Wilson Sporting Goods are defendants in a federal class action complaint over the quality of $400 baseball bats.
CPS officials back $155M annual building maintenance deal for private vendors, despite budget woes
In the wake of a decision by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to kill a $215 million state bailout for Chicago Public Schools’ pension funds, the Chicago Board of Education is expected to vote on whether to dole out about $155 million annually to two private vendors to take charge of building maintenance at about 470 Chicago public schools.
Deal announced to end lawsuit over condition of historic jet car loaned to Museum of Science & Industry
Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry and legendary driver Craig Breedlove have reached an agreement to end their legal dispute over the condition of the historic jet-propelled car in which Breedlove set two land speed records in the 1960s. On Jan. 23, the museum and Breedlove issued a joint statement confirming they had reached the deal to end Breedlove’s lawsuit against MSI for the museum’s alleged mistreatment of the car, dubbed the Spirit of America.
Judge: Allstate must pay fired portfolio security analysts $27M over defamatory SEC filing
A federal judge has refused to overturn a jury’s decision to order Allstate to pay four fired investment portfolio analysts more than $27 million, saying the case showed there was “ample evidence” the company had ruined the analysts’ careers by incorrectly reporting to federal regulators that pension funds the analysts had helped manage had been shorted by fund managers seeking to time trades to boost their own bonuses.
Clergy sex abuse survivors group ran kickback scheme with lawyers, says ex-fundraiser's lawsuit
A former fundraiser at the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has sued her ex-employer, accusing the Chicago-based self-help agency for victims of clergy sexual abuse of firing her after she exposed an alleged kickback scheme between the Network and trial lawyers suing on behalf of the victims.
Ex-sorority president seeks to overturn $1.6M arbitration award over embezzlement claims
An Olympia Fields woman who worked with a Chicago-based sorority for more than 40 years is trying to get a court to overturn an arbitrator’s decision that could cost her $1.6 million.
Chicago tax on car rentals outside city limits unconstitutional stretch of power, IL Supreme Court says
The city of Chicago cannot require car rental businesses located outside city limits to collect city taxes on rental cars leased by Chicago city residents, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled, striking down as unconstitutional a city ordinance seeking to slap a tax on cars rented within three miles of Chicago city limits.
Norwood Crossing accused of negligence after former patient suffered fall
A deceased woman's family claims a nursing facility failed to provide proper and adequate care to the woman while she was being treated in its facility.
Patient alleges ERIEM Surgical Inc.'s device caused thermal damage during surgery
A Chicago woman alleges she was injured by a medical device during a surgery.
Rush University Medical Center accused of wrongful death related to pressure sore
A Chicago hospital is being accused of wrongful death over claims a pressure ulcer contributed to a patient's death.
Advocate Medical Group accused of negligence in connection with patient's fall
A woman is suing Advocate Medical Group, alleging negligence, liability and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Alden-Town Manor Rehabilitation and Health Care Center accused of not preventing pressure sores
A deceased man's family claims a Cicero long-term care facility failed to appropriately prevent or treat the man's pressure sores.
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital accused of failing to follow up with patient, missing injuries
A patient is suing Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Medical Group, alleging negligence in hospital care.
Seventh Circuit: Chicago's 'elaborate scheme' to effectively ban shooting ranges unconstitutional
The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled a Chicago ordinance that regulates firearm shooting ranges and the age of minors who can visit them is unconstitutional.
New federal law provides incentives for medical research
Supporters of a new federal health care law, which has implications for drugmakers, researchers, hospitals, doctors and more, say they believe the law, known as the 21st Century Cures Act, will inspire innovation and discovery in medicine.