News from April 2023
Labor board judge: Chicago trampled union bargaining rights by firing workers who refused Covid vax
The city of Chicago may need to rehire the workers it fired for refusing to receive a Covid vaccine, because the city violated state labor laws by denying unions the chance to negotiate over the consequences vaccine-objecting workers could face under the mandate, an administrative law judge for the ILRB has ruled
Ex-McDonald's workers can have access to corporate communications about harassment, discrimination: Judge
Florida women are seeking $500M in lawsuit alleging McDonald's has ignored workplace sexual harassment complaints in its corporate owned restaurants
Judge: No fundamental right for father to forbid Villa Park school district from helping child change genders
A Chicago federal judge said a father can't sue Villa Park District 45 for allegedly conspiring with his ex-wife to help their child transition from male to female, because the father has no fundamental right to direct public schools on how to educate to his child
Judge says class action can move forward vs City Hall over how it prosecuted distracted driving tickets
The Cook County judge's decision relied entirely on the findings of a state appeals panel, which ruled that questions exist over the Chicago city administrative hearing department had authority under state law to decide if people needed to pay fines for tickets accusing them of driving while using their phones
McDermott Will & Emery hosts Addressing Doj’s New Compliance Focus on Executive Compensation on April 20, 2023
The new compliance focus on executive compensation, as announced by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on March 3, 2023, has significant implications for how healthcare organizations address both corporate compliance and compensation programs for their executives. It also raises new issues for the board of directors’ oversight of compliance and compensation functions.
Illinois Supreme Court announces Appointment of Sarah Johnson as At-large Circuit Judge of Cook County
Justice Joy V. Cunningham and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Sarah Rodak Johnson as an At-Large Cook County Circuit Judge.
Appeals court turns down bid for injunction vs IL 'assault weapons' ban while appeal of Chicago judge's ruling continues
The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals didn't explain its decision. But the order leaves in place, for now, a Chicago federal judge's ruling that the Second Amendment doesn't apply to particularly "dangerous" weapons, like the semiautomatic firearms banned by the new Illinois law
Coles County jurors award $40 million to disabled teen in birth injury case
A Coles County jury awarded Kiera Campbell, 19, and her parents, Todd and Jaime Campbell, $40 million as compensation for the severely disabling injuries she suffered as a result of delayed delivery during childbirth.
Appeals panel: IL Commerce Commission properly OK'd Kanakee County nat gas lines to serve poor Black rural township
Appellate judges shut off attempts by environmental and social justice activists to block the extension of natural gas lines into Pembroke Township. The judge said they wouldn't undo a 2021 state law that enjoyed strong public support for the Nicor project
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announces Attorney General Raoul Announces $462 Million Settlement With E-cigarette Manufacturer Juul Labs
Attorney General Kwame Raoul , along with six other attorneys general, announced a $462 million settlement with Juul Labs Inc. (Juul), one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of e-cigarettes.
Class action accuses Kohn firm of allegedly failing to disclose interest added to unpaid debts
The lawsuit asserts the Kohn Law Firm sent letters to debtors that failed to include "safe harbor" language, informing debtors that they likely will owe more than the amount of unpaid debt allegedly listed on the letters
Judge: Sysco can't stuff its fight with lawsuit-funder Burford into larger court fight over chicken prices
Food distributor Sysco is hoping to reach settlements with chicken producers over alleged price-fixing. Big lawsuit lender Burford Capital, however, wants to block Sysco from settling, saying those settlements won't generate a big enough return
Cozen O’Connor attorney 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.
Holland & Knight announces Holland & Knight Adds Partner Romeo Quinto to Chicago Litigation Practice
Holland & Knight has bolstered its national Litigation Section with the addition of accomplished litigator Romeo Quinto as a partner in Chicago.
Two new Dem IL Supreme Court justices refuse to step aside on hearing 'assault weapons' ban case
Justices Elizabeth Rochford and Mary K. O'Brien said plaintiffs can't prove they are biased in favor of the state gun ban, just because they each received $1 million in campaign donations from Gov. JB Pritzker and strong endorsements from gun control organizations in the 2022 elections
Battle over IL gun ban expanding, setting stage for big showdown to come before Chicago fed appeals court
Lawyers for gun makers' trade group, the National Sports Shooting Foundation, and others have filed briefs seeking to undo a Chicago federal judge's order largely upholding the Illinois "assault weapons" ban, saying the reasoning doesn't hold up under the U.S. Supreme Court's recent rulings
Thompson Coburn LLP announces Kayla Siam selected as 2023 College of Business Alumni Hall of Achievement Inductee
Governors State University recently selected Thompson Coburn Associate Kayla Siam for induction into the College of Business Alumni Hall of Achievement.
Appeals panel pulls plug on tuition refund class action vs Bradley University over Covid closures
A student claims the Peoria school owed refunds for shutting down in-person classes and activities in the spring of 2020. A federal judge improperly certified the student's class action, the appeals court says
McGlynn hears arguments in federal court over injunctive relief from gun ban
EAST ST. LOUIS – During an April 12 hearing in federal court over a request for injunctive relief from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's gun ban, assistant attorney general Christopher Wells told U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn that Illinois citizens can just defend themselves with handguns instead of semiautomatic rifles.
Attorneys announce $35M settlement with Northshore in lawsuit over baby injuries amid botched c-section
Cook County family said controversy-plagued ex-doctor's surgical choices responsible for their daughter's cerebral palsy