News from April 2023
S. IL fed judge says IL 'assault weapons' ban likely violates Second Amendment, puts enforcement on hold
The judge said the state has fallen far short of proving the banned weapons are not only 'dangerous,' but also 'unusual,' which he said is the correct standard for evaluating gun bans under recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions
Court filing: Griffith Foods to pay $48M to settle hundreds of lawsuits over Willowbrook EtO emissions
A formal settlement hasn't yet been filed in court, but Alsip-based Griffith Foods has asked a Cook County judge for permission to transfer $48 million into an escrow account in preparation to settle hundreds of lawsuits connected to the Sterigenics litigation
Indiana can charge 25% repayment penalty to people who wrongfully collect unemployment, appeals panel says
A three-judge panel said the Constitution's prohibition on excessive fines doesn't prevent Indiana from making a woman pay $11K for failing to report part-time income she earned while she was also collecting unemployment benefits, as required by law
Onfido to pay $28.5M to end class action lawsuit from users of face-scanning TruYou service
The lawsuit, led by a user of the OfferUp resale app, alleged Onfido's facial recognition technology violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act because the company did not get consent or provide users with notices before scanning their faces on photos and IDs uploaded to verify user identities
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP hosts Covenant Challenges? Financial Pressures? A Guide for Managing Disruptive Times on April 28, 2023
George Mesires will discuss best practices to follow when difficult circumstances push a community outside the parameters of agreements with bondholders or bank lenders
Naperville gun shop owner asks Supreme Court to block IL gun ban
The owner of Law Weapons in Naperville says federal judges have 'invented' a legal reasoning that allows states and cities to ban weapons if they can designate them as "particularly dangerous," and SCOTUS needs to block the law while court challenges continue
Another judge says IL free to ban 'assault weapons' under 2nd Amendment because the guns are 'particularly dangerous'
U.S. District Judge Lindsay Jenkins says the law holds up, even under recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings, because the country has a history of banning 'particularly dangerous' weapons, so the Illinois law doesn't violate the Second Amendment
Urban Prep lawsuit: CPS has no authority under IL law to take over charter schools without closing them
Urban Prep Academies, charter high schools known nationally for helping young Black males from Chicago's South Side succeed academically, says Chicago Public Schools is attempting to sidestep state law in a bid to force them out and take over their schools
Holland & Knight hosts OECD Pillar One and Pillar Two – Where Do We Stand? on April 27, 2023
Tax attorney Joshua Odintz will moderate a panel at the 51st Annual Conference of the USA Branch of the International Fiscal Association in Chicago.
Foxx to step aside in 2024, ending tenure marked by controversial social justice-minded changes, escalating crime
Backed by George Soros and progressive Illinois Dems, Foxx's prosecutorial philosophy gained international notoriety over her handling of the Jussie Smollett case. She has also repeatedly clashed with Chicago mayor, cops over handling of criminal cases
Heplerbroom announces Moch to Speak at State Defense Counsel Conference
Eric Moch will be one of the featured speakers at IDC’s litigation landscape conference. Moch will discuss how to cross-examine and defend at trial against non-economic damage awards.
Flex drivers bring class action, say Amazon illegally requiring them to scan their faces before making deliveries
The class action lawsuit was brought against Amazon under Illinois' biometrics privacy law, potentially putting Amazon on the hook for a big future payout
Employers urge IL Supreme Court to reconsider fingerprint scan decision they say will cripple IL businesses, economy
Associations representing employers for millions in Illinois say the court has set up a recipe for economic disaster by allowing 'entrepreneurial' trial lawyers to use Illinois' biometrics privacy law to extract annihilative sums of money from businesses for violations of the law that actually harmed no one
IL Supreme Court gives man convicted of using counterfeit cash to steal motorcycle new chance to appeal
The 5-2 decision agreed Kane County man had demonstrated his lawyers didn't give him "reasonable" assistance in presenting his claims that he had been inadequately represented at trial and in post-conviction proceedings
Littler Mendelson PC announces Littler Attorneys Participating in 2023 Diversity Leadership Programs
Eleven attorneys from Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, have been selected for the 2023 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows and Pathfinders programs and the National Employment Law Council (NELC) Academy.
Holland & Knight announces Leading Corporate and Private Equity Partner Andrew McCune Joins Holland & Knight in Chicago
Holland & Knight has strengthened its nationally recognized Corporate, M&A and Securities Practice Group with the addition of Private Equity Partner Andrew McCune in Chicago.
Hundreds of Zantac suits filed in Illinois courts after Florida judge rejects 'situational science'
SPRINGFIELD - Suits connecting Zantac indigestion medicine to cancer failed in nationwide litigation at federal court in Florida, so 583 refugee plaintiffs started over by filing suits in three Illinois counties.
Appeals panel: Supplemental annuity unavailable to police widows if husband dies after mandatory retirement age
Appellate judges affirmed a lower court ruling regarding a Chicago officer placed on disability after car crash caused brain injury, who died three years after he reached the department's mandatory retirement age.
Class action accuses Giordano's of allegedly shorting server wages while improperly claiming tip credits
The lawsuit accuses Giordano's frachise parent company VPC Pizza Management of violating Illinois' minimum wage law.
Cozen O'Connor announces Attorney Jim Argionis Reappointed Chairman of the Illinois Department of Employment Security Advisory Board
Cozen O’Connor attorney Jim Argionis, a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice in Chicago, has been reappointed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as chairman of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Advisory Board.