News from August 2021
DE&I Speaker Series: Gender Inclusion in the Workplace
DE&I Speaker Series: Gender Inclusion in the Workplace.
Lyons Named Fellow of American College of Environmental Lawyers
Lyons Named Fellow of American College of Environmental Lawyers.
Class action alleges Amazon’s ‘Alexa’ capabilities violate BIPA
A class action complaint filed against Amazon in the Madison County Circuit Court alleges the tech giant violates the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) with its Alexa capabilities.
U.S. appeals panel: Kin of Hitler's victims must seek comp from French railway collaborators in France, not American courts
A Chicago federal appeals court has ruled France, not the U.S., is the place for the descendants of French Jews to sue the French National Railroad for taking Jews to Nazi concentration camps during World War II.
Judge blunts COVID contract breach claim from knife-sharpening firm
Another victory for insurers who denied coverage for business losses from COVID shutdowns.
LMG Life Sciences Awards: 2021 Americas Shortlists Announced, LMG Life Sciences
LMG Life Sciences Awards: 2021 Americas Shortlists Announced, LMG Life Sciences.
Envoy Air can't use federal labor law to totally dodge class action over worker handprint scans
Ex-airline employee sued over fingerprint scanners, says infractions predate union contract
Judge shreds class action vs Safespeed, IL govt officials over red light camera bribes, because plaintiffs ran red lights
A federal judge says bribes that led to the installation of red light cameras in Chicago's southwest suburbs don't entitle motorists to $100 million in refunds, because the motorists actually committed the traffic offenses that prompted the $100 red light camera tickets.
HR tech vendor Paychex to pay $3.4M to settle BIPA timeclock class action; Lawyers could get 35%
Paychex is among a number of similar vendors to get sued, agree to settle, under Illinois' Biometric Information Protection Act. It's not known yet how much individual claimants might get under the deal, but lawyers could get $1.18 million.
Nationwide class action blocked vs McDonald's over 'no-poach' employment policy; Judge: Lawyers reached for 'jackpot'
A group of female plaintiffs said McDonald's policies, which were abandoned in 2017, violated federal antitrust law. The judge said there is evidence the policies may have actually strengthened competition among franchisees.
Benesch Adds Healthcare Partner in Chicago
As Benesch continues to grow nationwide, the firm is pleased to announce that Jake A. Cilek has joined the firm. Jake joins the firm as a partner in the Benesch Healthcare+ Practice Group.
IL Supreme Court: Power plant developer can't sue employees accused of trying to 'usurp opportunities' for themselves
In 4-3 decision, narrow majority says the company didn't completely lose the opportunity to build power plants in Texas, so the company can't sue for the lost "opportunities."
Class action claims Keebler cookies don't contain 'real fudge,' mint
The lawsuit targets Ferrara Candy Company's marketing of Keebler Fudge Mint and Fudge Stripes cookies.
Gov. Pritzker Issues Executive Order Creating New Office of Equity
Gov. Pritzker Issues Executive Order Creating New Office of Equity.
Weiner Talks with Illinois Chamber of Commerce about New Prejudgment Interest Statute
Weiner Talks with Illinois Chamber of Commerce about New Prejudgment Interest Statute.
Cozen O’Connor Attorney Matthew Glavin Named to Board of Governors at Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Matthew Glavin, a member in Cozen O’Connor’s Public Strategies Group, has been named to the Law Alumni Board of Governors at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. His three-year term is effective immediately.
Attorney General Raoul Calls for Repeal of Rule Requiring Separate Abortion Billing
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 11 attorneys general, submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in support of the proposed rule that will reverse the harmful 2019 changes to the compliance requirements of Section 1303 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Split IL High Court says wrongly imprisoned man may sue detectives for malicious prosecution in '93 McLean Co. murder case
A divided Illinois Supreme Court has ruled a man once wrongfully imprisoned for a Downstate murder, has the right to sue detectives for malicious prosecution, saying police may have swayed prosecutors to pursue the misbegotten case.
Judge trims, but won't cancel lawsuit over flavoring in General Mills' fruit products
Class action alleges use of malic acid negates claim of 'no artificial flavors,' but General Mills says it's a 'flavor enhancer'
Lewis Brisbois Expands National General Liability, Transportation Practices With New Partner Hire
Lewis Brisbois Expands National General Liability, Transportation Practices With New Partner Hire.