News from 2021
Ex-State Police Merit Board CFO used sex assault claims, ties to Pritzker to try to thwart review of alleged fake OT records: Court filing
A judge could soon decide whether the former head of the Illinois State Police Merit Board should be allowed to press his claims that one of his former employees had falsely accused him of sexual assault, and exploited her ties to Gov. JB Pritzker, to get him removed
Dozens of educators sue Pritzker, 22 school districts over vaccine, mask mandates
The teachers and school staff allege the state's vaccine, mask and other COVID-related mandates violate their rights under the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act.
Who decides fate of activities, classes at Oak Park River Forest HS, other schools? During COVID, it could depend
A fight over the recent decision to cancel, then resume, sports and other extracurricular activities at Oak Park River Forest High School illustrates a "grey area" in the law over school closures amid COVID
Appeals panel: Sheriff Dart's layoffs after 2017 soda tax repeal didn't break labor law
Appeals panel says no evidence county failed to engage in good faith negotiations
IL Dems, challengers spar in court over whose map would result in more Latino, Black lawmakers elected
Republicans and Latino and Black advocates told a panel of federal judges that Illinois Democrats drew a new state legislative district map solely to protect Democratic incumbents and boost their party power, stepping on Black and Latino voting rights in the process.
Madison, St. Clair and Cook Counties collectively rank No. 5 on 'Judicial Hellholes' report
Madison, St. Clair and Cook Counties together ranked No. 5 in the American Tort Reform Association’s (ATRA) annual “Judicial Hellholes” report, up from last year’s No. 8 ranking.
The Post-COVID Workplace: Reimagining, Rebooting, Rebuilding on December 8, 2021
The Post-COVID Workplace: Reimagining, Rebooting, Rebuilding on December 8, 2021.
Life Strategies for Professionals on December 8, 2021
Life Strategies for Professionals on December 8, 2021.
Unpacking the Historic $1.2T Infrastructure Bill and Examining Opportunities for Your Business on December 8, 2021
Unpacking the Historic $1.2T Infrastructure Bill and Examining Opportunities for Your Business on December 8, 2021.
IL Supreme Court: Jury instructions don't trigger new medmal trial for family of woman who died at Mercy Hospital
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled a jury in a Cook County medical malpractice case, did not need proposed instructions on plaintiff's loss of chance, saying the instruction the judge did give on proximate cause was sufficient.
Polsinelli Adds Experienced General Counsel to Health Care Practice
Polsinelli Adds Experienced General Counsel to Health Care Practice.
Three Cozen O’Connor Attorneys recognized as Crain's Chicago Business 2021 “Notable Gen X Leaders in Law”
Three Cozen O’Connor Attorneys recognized as Crain's Chicago Business 2021 “Notable Gen X Leaders in Law”.
Chicago city workers denied restraining order against City Hall over COVID vax mandate
Judge says the city claims it is still processing more than 6,000 religious exemption applications from city workers seeking to be excluded from the mandate, which requires them to get a COVID jab, or potentially get fired.
Lawsuit accuses Massage Envy studio over alleged Nov-Dec 2019 sexual assault reports
A third lawsuit has been filed against the owners of the Massage Envy Old Town location, now by a woman who claims she was inappropriately touched by a male massage therapist two years ago
Judge OKs $56M fees for lawyers that led big chicken price-fixing lawsuit vs Tyson, Pilgrim's Pride, other producers
More than 20 law firms logged 100,000 hours since 2016 to reach $170M in settlements, so they are entitled to roughly one-third of the total fund after expenses, a Chicago federal judge said
Class action: Subaru DriverFocus system improperly scans driver's faces, eyes
A new class action lawsuit has accused Subaru of violating Illinois' biometrics privacy law by failing to notify drivers and get their consent before scanning their faces and eyes using its DriverFocus anti-distracted driving system
Cook County judge suspended from hearing cases after charged with DUI in traffic crash
Hinsdale Police filed a DUI complaint against Associate Judge Mohammed Ghouse on Nov. 23
Judge denies injunction request from NorthShore workers seeking religious exemption from COVID vax mandate
Availability of damages if litigation is successful means no need to preserve status quo during proceedings
Judge nixes bid from Griffith Foods to toss Willowbrook EtO suits; Hundreds of identical lawsuits filed since
More than 460 lawsuits have been filed in Cook County court against Griffith Foods since a judge refused Griffith's attempt to dismiss claims asserting they should be liable for ethylene oxide emissions from the former Sterigenics medical sterilization plant in Willowbrook
Protecting Confidential Information & Preserving the Attorney-Client Privilege in Litigation on December 2, 2021
Protecting Confidential Information & Preserving the Attorney-Client Privilege in Litigation on December 2, 2021.