News from August 2024
Plaintiff Alleges Chocolate Giant Misleads Consumers with False Sustainability Claims
A new class action lawsuit accuses Mondeléz International of deceptive marketing practices related to its chocolate products bearing the “Cocoa Life” logo. Filed by Tim Gollogly on August 16, 2024, in the Northern District of Illinois court, the suit claims that despite promises of sustainability and ethical sourcing, Mondeléz’s supply chain involves severe labor abuses including child labor.
Summer Experiences: Andrew Kieffer, ’25, Climate Law Clerk, Climate Law Institute, Center for Biological Diversity
Andrew Kieffer, ’25, spent his summer in California doing climate law work in the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute.
Latest Jose Cruz wrongful conviction filing is “fishing expedition”
Attorneys for Chicago Police officers accused of misconduct are pushing back against attempts by lawyers representing Jose Cruz, who was exonerated while serving a 90-year sentence over the murder of Antwane Douglas, to secure a trove of depositions from other cases that the city's lawyers say would be used to file more lawsuits
Financial Advisor Sues Amtrak Over Wrongful Detention
Eric Gatlin has filed a lawsuit against Amtrak and several unknown officers after being wrongfully detained in October 2022 due to mistaken identity. The complaint alleges excessive force and violation of constitutional rights, seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
Former Correctional Officers Sue Cook County Sheriff's Office Over Unsafe Work Conditions
Two former correctional officers have lost their appeal seeking monetary damages for emotional distress after protesting unsafe working conditions at Cook County Jail during COVID-19 staffing shortages. The Illinois Appellate Court upheld an earlier ruling denying their claims.
Village Ordered to Reinstate Terminated Officer Following Arbitration Ruling
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council successfully argued for reinstating a terminated police officer in a case against the Village of Steger following an injury sustained on duty. The court affirmed an arbitration award requiring reinstatement based on interpretations of both collective bargaining agreements and statutory protections under Illinois law.
Homeowners' Association Accuses Public Building Commission for Chicago Over Gym Construction
The Castlewood Terrace Homeowner’s Association has taken legal action against the Public Building Commission for Chicago over alleged violations tied to constructing a gymnasium annex at an elementary school site dating back to prior legal disputes from 1963. The homeowners argue this new development breaches longstanding restrictive covenants meant to protect their subdivision's integrity.
Bridgeton Landfill Sues Insurers Over Coverage Denial Amid Contamination Claims
Bridgeton Landfill is appealing a decision made by an Illinois court which stayed its lawsuit against two insurance companies over coverage disputes related to environmental contamination claims. Filed initially in Cook County but now deferred to Missouri courts due to significant local connections there, this legal saga involves multiple lawsuits alleging contamination from Bridgeton's landfill operations.
Diane Wood Writes About Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices
When President Biden announced in April 2021 that he was forming the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States, it was not clear what the commission could do as a practical matter.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis Announces Multiple Vacancies in Cook County
Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for four Cook County subcircuit vacancies and one Cook County At Large vacancy.
Former Employee Alleges University Hospital Ignored Disability Discrimination
A former employee has filed a lawsuit against the University of Chicago Medical Center alleging severe workplace discrimination based on disability and sex under federal law. The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief including back pay and compensatory damages.
Former Employee Alleges Age and Disability Discrimination Against Security Firm
Raymond Pokorny has filed a lawsuit against Advanced Security Solutions alleging wrongful termination based on age and disability discrimination after working as a security guard from July 2022 until April 2024.
Former Store Manager Sues Yaa Connect LLC for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
Terra Redd has filed a lawsuit against Yaa Connect LLC alleging severe sexual harassment by a subordinate employee and subsequent retaliation leading to wrongful termination. The suit seeks back pay with interest along with compensatory damages among other reliefs.
Plaintiff Alleges Defendant Negligently Caused Vehicular Collision
Meltem Tureli’s lawsuit against Esther Martinez over an alleged negligent vehicular collision has been dismissed due to procedural delays attributed partly to legal malpractice by her former attorney. The appellate court upheld this decision citing insufficient records for substantive review.
IL Dems can't overturn court order stopping them from using ballot access law to block GOPers from running in Nov.
The Illinois Supreme Court could not come up with a four-member majority to overturn a Springfield judge's ruling that a new "anti-slating" law supported by Gov. Pritzker and his fellow Democrats was unconstitutional. The decision means Dems can't block Keeven, other GOP legislative candidates from the fall ballot
Best Lawyers Ranks Shook’s Next Generation Lawyers as Ones to Watch
Shook is honored to have 53 next-generation lawyers selected by Best Lawyers® as “Ones to Watch.”
Appeals court: GOP congressman, voters can't sue IL for counting mail-in votes 2 weeks after Election Day
A divided federal appeals panel sided with the state and Democrats in tossing out a lawsuit challenging Illinois law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted up to 14 days after Election Day. A dissenting judge said the U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, who led the lawsuit, was wrongly denied the chance to have his case heard
Reed Smith advises Dreamscape on its sale to Recorded Books
Reed Smith attorneys have advised Dreamscape Media, an independent publisher and multimedia studio, on its sale to Recorded Books, Inc., a global audiobook publishing company.
Judge greenlights antitrust class action involving auto dealer software market
Software developers says companies agreed to squeeze out third-party data integrators
Appeals court tosses Dorman suit challenging IL ban on short-barreled rifles
The Fifth District Appellate Court said the state's ban on short-barreled rifles doesn't violate the Second Amendment or recent Supreme Court decisions because federal courts have consistently ruled that such weapons aren't commonly used for self-defense, but rather for crimes