News from July 2018
Lawsuit: Chicago racks up 'hundreds of millions' in excessive fines for 'minor violations,' too punitive to be legal
A Chicago man has initiated a class action complaint against the city, claiming its penalties for minor violations like parking tickets or missing car window stickers are so punitive – particularly against those “least able to pay them” – that they violate state law. He is represented by the same lawyers which recently announced a $38 million settlement agreement with City Hall over its red light camera program, earning the firm $11 million in fees.
DUANE MORRIS: Payer Audits and False Claims Actions Challenging Medical Necessary on the Rise
We’re seeing a substantial increase in payer audits and false claims causes of action based on allegations that procedures and charges were not medically necessary.
ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL: Attorney General Madigan: Judge rules former Priest must remain in State Custody assexually Violent person
Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that a Cook County judge ordered former Chicago priest Daniel McCormack to remain in state custody after previously finding him to be a Sexually Violent Person (SVP).
MEYERS & FLOWERS: Meyers & Flowers Protects Illinois Residents, Files First Suit Over McDonald's Cyclospora Outbreak
Meyers & Flowers has joined with the national food safety law firm of Ron Simon & Associates to file the first lawsuit stemming from cyclospora-contaminated salads sold in Illinois and neighboring states.
Son blames Loyola University Medical Center for mother's death
A special estate administrator is suing Loyola University Medical Center for wrongful death.
Estate administrators blame Lexington Square for patient's death
Two co-administrators of a woman's estate are suing Lexington Square Life Care of Lombard LLC, Lexington Health Care Center of La Grange Inc. and Royal Management Corp., citing alleged negligence and wrongful death.
Patient accuses Advocate Christ Medical Center, doctor of negligence
A patient is suing Advocate Christ Medical Center, Dr. Nancy Church and Nancy R.G. Church M.D. LLC, also known as Wellness Connections LLC, citing alleged negligence.
Pedestrian claims uneven village of La Grange sidewalk caused fall
A pedestrian has filed a lawsuit against the Village of La Grange, citing alleged premises liability and negligence.
Lawsuit: 'Level playing field' in Illinois election campaign spending for independent advocacy groups
Dan Proft and a conservative Illinois political advocacy group are asking a federal judge to strike down certain campaign contribution limits.
Judge: Illinois condo law not meant to control 'reasonable' fees for electronic condo sale documents
A Chicago federal judge has tossed a putative class action lawsuit by a trio of onetime suburban condominium owners, who alleged they paid excessive fees for state-required documents when they sold their units, saying Illinois condo laws are not meant to control fees.
Appeals panel: Sanctions mostly OK vs animal rights activist for revealing info about Doe defendant on Facebook
A state appeals court has largely upheld a county court's decision to hold in contempt an animal rights activist for allegedly violating a court order to keep under wraps the identity of the owner of a so-called "puppy mill," but said the lower court judge needed to offer better instructions for how the activist could have the contempt sanctions lifted.
Loop Studio claims Coast to Coast improperly withheld commissions
An independent sales company is suing furniture manufacturer Coast To Coast Designs Inc., citing alleged breach of contract.
Daughter blames Alden Estates of Naperville for mother's injuries
A daughter who has been granted power of attorney for her mother is suing Alden Estates of Naperville Inc., which does business as Alden Estates of Naperville, as well as Alden Naperville LLC and Alden Management Services, citing alleged negligence.
Judge: No 'risk of harm' to Rexnord workers from fingerprint scan time clocks; case sent back to Cook courts
A federal judge has kicked back to Cook County court a class action lawsuit accusing manufacturer Rexnord of violating an Illinois state privacy law by requiring employees to scan their fingerprints when using employee punch clocks to track work hours.
Class action accuses Cook County courts clerk of leaving too much personal info in traffic court records
A Cook County woman has initiated a federal class action against Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown concerning what information can be disclosed on public records.
Appeals court: Sellers can't enforce covenant restrictions on land after selling to forest preserve district
An appeals panel has affirmed a lower court’s decision the sellers of land to a west suburban forest preserve district gave up their rights to enforce a covenant to block ComEd from stringing power lines across that land, when they granted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources power to override covenant restrictions.
Visitor claims he fell in Presence St. Joseph entryway
A man is suing Hammes Partners, doing business as Hammes Realty Advisors LLC, Presence St. Joseph Hospital and Presence Center for Advanced Care, claiming insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries on the defendants' property.
Presence Villa Scalabrini blamed for death of patient
A pair of sons and estate executors are suing RHC Senior Services, doing business as Presence Villa Scalabrini Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, citing alleged negligence and wrongful death.
ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL: Attorney General Madigan urges Department of Education to continue to share student loan information
Attorney General Lisa Madigan called on the U.S. Department of Education to honor its historic partnerships by reinstating the long-standing practice of disclosing student loan information to state attorneys general – a practice it curtailed without explanation last month.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: 6 Defendants Charged in Federal Investigation Targeting Narcotics Sales in Rockford
Six individuals are facing federal criminal charges as part of an investigation into heroin and crack cocaine sales in the Rockford area.