News from July 2017
Home caregivers ask SCOTUS: Can IL force union representation?; Potential ramifications far-reaching
A group of Illinois child care providers and in-home care providers for those with disabilities have asked the nation’s highest court to step in to their dispute with a prominent labor union, arguing the state’s decision to force the care providers to allow the Service Employees International Union to serve as their bargaining representative as a condition of accepting payment through state assistance programs violates their constitutional rights.
CFPB's new rule 'large gift for class action lawyers'; Court challenges coming
As the director of a federal consumer protection agency seemingly fights for his job, he has gone ahead with plans to finalize a controversial rule – and a court challenge seems imminent.
Tadros sues Crain's, demands $38M for alleged defamatory 'hit piece' article
Bow Truss Coffee founder Philip Tadros is back in court, now seeking $38 million from Crain’s Chicago Business in a self-filed defamation lawsuit over a July 2016 Crain’s article he called a “hit piece.”
Woman says Northwestern Medical, doctor failed to prescribe anti-seizure drug
A woman is suing James Chandler M.D.; Northwestern Medical Group; and Radford Green at Sedgebrook, alleging negligence for failing to prescribe a necessary anti-seizure drug.
Suit alleges Robbins Supportive Living failed to stop inappropriate sexual contact
A woman is suing Robbins Supportive Living LLC, a nursing facility, alleging negligence for failing to prevent inappropriate sexual contact.
Class action claims vs Blistex over lip ointment packaging 'defies common sense,' judge says
A Chicago federal judge has shelved a California woman’s class action lawsuit against the Oak Brook-based maker of Blistex lip ointment, saying her claims the company smears its customers by selling their product in tubes that leave a quarter of the ointment inaccessible “defies common sense.”
Expert: Companies' anti-discrimination policy should be part of culture
A recent $1.9 million settlement by Rosebud Restaurants with the Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is just one more example of why businesses should proactively adopt strategic hiring rules, an expert on discrimination law says.
Man says Chicago Archdiocese, Catholic Bishop responsible for priest's sex abuse
An individual is suing The Archdiocese of Chicago and The Catholic Bishop of Chicago, alleging battery and sexual abuse by a member of the clergy.
Frequent suit filer Sportbrain says LifeBeam infringed patent for personal fitness technology
An Illinois company known as a frequent filer of patent infringement lawsuits is suing LifeBeam Inc., based in New York.
Plug pulled on data breach class action vs Vtech; plaintiffs never showed how harmed, judge says
A Chicago federal judge has pulled the plug on a class action suit against electronic toymaker VTech, which alleged VTech did not protect parents' and childrens' personal data from a hacker, saying plaintiffs failed to show how the security breach harmed them.
Chicago looks to use property tax increases to fund pensions
Residents of Chicago and its suburbs have once again seen their property taxes rise. For 2016 taxes, which will paid this year, Chicagoans' bills shot up by about 10 percent, while people living in suburban Cook County can expect increases of 4-7 percent.
Gold Medal Products says former employee took food secrets to competitor
An Ohio business is suing Bell Flavors and Fragrances Inc. and William Todd Sunderhaus, plaintiff's former employee, alleging breach of contract.
Woman claims Central Credit Services made automatic calls for debt she doesn't owe
A woman is suing Central Credit Services LLC, a debt collector, citing alleged violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Collectors including Landmark Realty, Central Credit allegedly sought debt that was already paid
A man is suing four different collection agencies, alleging that they tried to collect a debt he had paid years earlier.
Woman claims Vision Financial implied she could be charged debt collection fee
A woman is suing Vision Financial Services, a debt collector, citing alleged misrepresentation in debt collection.
Judge: Cigna didn't defraud in denying payment to surgical center suspected of 'fee forgiveness'
A federal judge has granted a win to multinational insurer Cigna, cutting out state law fraud claims from a lawsuit brought by a surgical center asserting the insurer was wrong to deny claims for reimbursement from certain Cigna-insured patients, for whom the surgical center had forgiven much of the bill because the surgical center was outside of those patients' preferred providers network.
State asks judge to toss CPS school funding suit, says system not 'hidden proxy' for race discrimination
The state of Illinois again has asked a Cook County judge to dismiss a Chicago Public Schools lawsuit alleging racial discrimination underlies the way the state funds K-12 public education.
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Cook County soda tax to remain blocked, for at least a few more days, appeals panel says
A state appeals court has rejected Cook County’s attempt to lift a stay on the county’s new so-called soda tax, directing a Cook County judge to proceed with plans to hear arguments on whether enforcement of the tax should be more permanently blocked.
Frequent lawsuit filer accuses Sunbeam Products of patent infringement
A frequent patent infringement plaintiff is suing Sunbeam Products Inc,, citing alleged patent infringement.
Norfolk Southern Corporation accused of racial discrimination
An employee is suing Norfolk Southern Corporation, alleging a hostile work environment and racial discrimination.