News from October 2018
Union says Chicago has no right to use noise ordinance to quiet its picket at Cambria hotel
A hotel worker union is suing the city of Chicago, claiming it improperly wielded a noise ordinance to hamper their rights while striking. A judge has denied their request for a temporary restraining order against the city.
Springfield judge overstepped in OKing landowners' challenge to Ameren power line eminent domain cases: IL Sup Ct
The Supreme Court of Illinois has unanimously yanked the plug on a downstate court’s ruling that found the Illinois Commerce Commission breached due process by not notifying landowners their properties were in the path of proposed power lines, saying the lower court overstepped its authority, although two justices disagreed with the majority’s reasoning, calling it a “threat to individual rights.”
How much do lawsuits cost you? $3,300 per household, $429B nationwide, study says
Across the U.S., Americans pay hefty costs for lawsuits, with the price tag stretching from the courthouses to the most basic levels of American life, adding thousands of dollars each year to Americans’ household budget costs, according to a new study of tort litigation costs.
Chicago didn't violate woman's rights by waiting 6 months to fine for high weeds, appeals panel says
A federal appeals panel has upheld a lower court’s ruling Chicago ordinance inspectors did not violate a woman’s right to due process by waiting six months after an inspection to cite her for allegedly having overgrown weeds, saying that period was not excessive and she got her due process at her administrative hearing.
IL Supreme Court: Vitamin distributor could yet be on hook for $9M judgment vs possibly insolvent manufacturer
A U.S. distributor and seller of Chinese-made vitamin supplements could still be on the hook for a $9 million default judgment originally entered against the potentially insolvent foreign company that made the vitamins, after the Illinois Supreme Court said state law and policy goals make it possible to hang such damages on others in a product’s manufacture and sale chain.
MAYER BROWN: Partner Tyrone Fahner receives Illinois Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Award for Excellence
Mayer Brown announced that the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) has honored Litigation & Dispute Resolution partner Tyrone C. Fahner (Chicago) with the 2018 Distinguished Award for Excellence.
ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN: Secures $2.65 Million in Refunds for Illinois Residents Defrauded by Sperian Energy
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced she reached a $2.65 million settlement with an alternative retail electric supplier, Sperian Energy Corp. (Sperian), resolving her August 2017 lawsuit challenging the company’s deceptive marketing practices.
Trunkett & Trunkett granted dismissal of attempted class action suit over debt collection
CHICAGO – A federal judge granted a debt collector's motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit that accused it of unlawful debt collection.
Investor class action says LJM Partners, Pacific Features & Capital owe for 80 percent loss to fund
A Florida man alleges the trading strategy of a Chicago corporation and an introducing broker caused an 80 percent loss in a partnership earlier this year.
Lawsuit demands Illinois Catholic churches release names of all priests accused of child sex abuse
Accusing Illinois’ Catholic churches of a decades-long cover up, three men and a woman who claim they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of Illinois Roman Catholic priests have joined together to sue all of the state’s Catholic dioceses, asking a judge to order the dioceses to release the names of priests who have been accused of child sexual abuse since 1950.
.jpg)
Class action vs YMCA over evictions thwarted by missing agreement for man participating in Chicago city program
A man who participated in a Chicago city program for the homeless failed to prove he was a YMCA tenant under Chicago’s landlord ordinance, losing the opportunity to continue a class action suit against the Y over evictions, a state appeals panel has ruled.
Customers should read insurance policies, not wait to sue til denied coverage: IL Supreme Court
Saying customers have an obligation to read and understand the terms of their insurance policies, the Illinois state Supreme Court has rejected the try by a couple to make their American Family Insurance agent pay for providing them with a policy that didn’t protect them against a defamation lawsuit, even though they had specifically asked the agent to obtain that coverage for them.
EEOC increases filings for workplace harassment lawsuits, driven partially by #MeToo movement
The number of workplace harassment lawsuits filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has spiked during the past four years, a Chicago lawyer says.
Harvest Bible Chapel accuses ex-workers, others, of publishing false statements about church's finances, governance
Harvest Bible Chapel is accusing former workers of publishing false information about the church, its finances and governance in a defamation lawsuit filed Oct. 16 in Cook County Circuit Court.
Passenger injured in 2017 Calumet City police chase seeks damages from city
A passenger injured in a police pursuit beginning in Calumet City in 2017 alleges police officers proceeded at speeds that "created unwarranted danger to others."
Pediatric dentist alleges false Yelp review from parent of patient injured reputation
A Palos Heights dentist alleges a Matteson parent posted a false review about him on Yelp.
Forest Alarm Service co-owner alleges was denied access to books after discovering 'corporate waste'
A shareholder of a Cook County business alleges she was shut off from access to the company's records after she allegedly discovered evidence of corporate waste.
Woman sues Lodge Tavern, says intoxicated man fell on her, broke her leg
A patron of a Chicago bar alleges her leg was broken when an intoxicated man fell on her.
Benny's Chop House alleged to have failed to warn of wet floor in men's restroom
A patron of a Chicago restaurant alleges liquid on the floor of the men's room caused him to fall.
Fresh Market Place shopper alleges store failed to warn of wet substance that caused her to fall
A shopper at a Chicago grocery store alleges she was injured when she slipped on a wet substance on the floor.