News from February 2018
Cook Courts Clerk appeal: Federal judge wrongly stepped into dispute over public access to court files
Moments after a Chicago federal judge chided her for creating a system designed to take an “end-run” around the First Amendment’s guarantee of public access to public information, the clerk of Cook County’s courts has asked a federal appeals court to put a hold on the judge's order and further remove the matter from the judge’s consideration entirely.
IL appeals court upholds dismissal of class action challenging Chicago red light camera program law
Saying state law designates Chicago’s red light and speed camera enforcement programs as something different from ordinary traffic laws, a state appeals court has again handed a defeat to a class action attempting to overthrow the city’s automated traffic citation program, which annually adds millions of dollars in fines from ticketed motorists to the city’s coffers.
Lawsuit: Woman fired for drawing attention to scheme allowing RR Donnelley to short USPS millions
A woman who says she was terminated for calling to attention her former employer’s scheme to underpay postage by nearly $20 million has filed suit against Chicago-based printer and mass marketer RR Donnelley.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago allegedly failed to remove snow and ice from parking lot
A woman is suing Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Lawrence Manor Organization for allegedly taking insufficient measures to prevent injuries.
Brixmor Property Group Inc., others allegedly failed to remove ice from parking lot
A man is suing Brixmor Property Group Inc., Ultra Foods, Tim's Snowplowing Inc. and Integro Inc. for allegedly taking insufficient measures to prevent injuries.
Dentist accuses Southpoint Insurance, R-T Specialty of leaving him exposed to malpractice liability
A dentist is suing Southpoint Insurance Agency Inc. and R-T Specialty LLC for alleged negligence.
Clear Channel Outdoor Inc. accused of negligence after billboard causes car to fall on top of man
An individual is suing Clear Channel Outdoor Inc. for alleged negligence.
Woman sues La Bomba Restaurant for fall from broken chair
A woman is suing La Bomba Food Restaurant Inc. and BCM21 Inc. for allegedly taking insufficient measures to prevent injuries.
Judge: Public access to court documents not a 'frill' of court system; denies court clerk's request for delay
Saying public access to publicly-filed legal documents is not “some sort of frill” feature of a modern court system, a Chicago federal judge has denied a request from the Cook County court clerk’s office for more time to comply with the judge’s order to begin providing immediate access to all electronically filed lawsuits filed in her office.
Accessibility suit vs Kohl’s can proceed; Judge: Moveable displays can be 'architectural barriers'
A woman may proceed with her lawsuit claiming the layout of a Kohl’s store makes the store inaccessible to people with disabilities.
Herndon denies summary judgment to State Farm in $9 billion RICO case
EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge David Herndon on Feb. 6 denied summary judgment to State Farm on a $9 billion racketeering claim.
Former manager’s age discrimination suit against Ashley Furniture dismissed, for now
Ashley Furniture has won a round in one of the lawsuits filed against it for allegedly discriminating against older managers in a bid to hire "millennials," as a federal judge has dismissed, for now, a former manager’s age discrimination lawsuit because the judge determined the man had failed to properly name his employer in a discrimination claim filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Judge: Cook County didn't violate speech rights of fired ex-staffer who ran vs Elmwood Park's Silvestri
A Chicago federal judge is closing the door on an ex-Cook County government staffer’s attempt to sue powerful Cook County politicians, saying he can’t demonstrate the county violated his constitutional rights by firing him after he helped expose alleged political corruption in Elmwood Park, and then campaigned to take the county board seat held by Peter Silvestri, Elmwood Park’s mayor.
Appeals court: DesPlaines cop who hurt knee checking overweight truck OK for lifetime city health insurance
In a 2-1 decision, a state appeals panel upheld a Cook County judge's decision a former DesPlaines police officer, disabled on the job while inspecting an illegally overweight truck, deserves city health insurance for life because he was injured as the “result of an unlawful act” – the overweight truck.
Woman who lost hand in meat grinder accident sues grinder manufacturer Torrey
A woman is suing Tor-rey Refrigeration Inc. and Tor-rey USA Inc. for alleged design defect and product liability.
Mariottini Inc., Power Source Electric Inc. allegedly failed to provide safe work environment
A man is suing Mariottini Inc. and Power Source Electric Inc. for alleged negligence.
Everyday Cycles and Motion LLC, others accused of breach of duty
An investor is suing Everyday Cycles and Motion LLC and two individuals for alleged breach of duty.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, employee sued by man claiming he was struck by vehicle while walking
A man is suing Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and an employee, alleging he was struck by the employee's vehicle while crossing the street.
Ballard Respiratory & Rehabilitation allegedly failed to prevent patient from developing pressure ulcers
A woman is suing Ballard Respiratory & Rehabilitation LLC for allegedly taking insufficient measures to prevent her relative's injuries.
Real Property Management Chicago Group, others allegedly failed to return security deposit
A tenant has filed a class action lawsuit against Real Property Management Chicago Group, Mickelson Brothers II LLC and Raven Flowers for alleged violation of state law.