News from June 2024
Appeals court says CPS can close Urban Prep; Chicago school closing moratorium doesn't apply to charter schools
The state appeals panel said Cook County Judge Anna Loftus was wrong to block CPS from seizing control at Urban Prep by determining a state law blocking CPS from closing schools until a school board could be elected applied to charter schools, as well as traditional CPS-managed schools
Plaintiff alleges wrongful arrest by Chicago police officers
Kiyan Patrick has filed a civil rights lawsuit against several Chicago police officers and the City of Chicago alleging wrongful arrest among other charges stemming from an incident on May 29th last year. The suit claims multiple violations including false arrest and illegal search & seizure.
Plaintiff Alleges City Colleges of Chicago Failed to Accommodate Disabilities
Patricia Ramos has filed a lawsuit against City Colleges of Chicago alleging violations under the ADA for failing to accommodate her disabilities and retaliating against her requests. Filed on May 30th in Illinois federal court by attorney Frank Avila from Avila Law Firm.
High School Student Sues Chicago Police Officers Over Alleged False Arrest
Esteban Navarro has filed a lawsuit against several Chicago police officers alleging unlawful search and false arrest following an incident in July 2023. The case highlights claims of excessive force and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.
Parents Allege ALDI's Baby Food Contains Dangerous Levels of Toxic Metals
Plaintiffs have filed a class action lawsuit against ALDI alleging that its Little Journey baby food contains harmful levels of toxic metals like arsenic and lead. They seek damages for financial losses and an injunction against further sales of these products.
Plaintiff Alleges Race-Based Discrimination Against Staffing Agency and Employer
Olegario Banuelos has filed a lawsuit against Action Management Group LLC and Eastek International Corporation alleging race-based discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint includes detailed accounts of discriminatory remarks from a warehouse manager and claims wrongful termination after reporting these incidents.
Jacob Goldin Awarded 2024 Donald M. Ephraim Prize in Law and Economics
The second annual Donald M. Ephraim Prize in Law and Economics has been awarded to Jacob Goldin, Richard M. Lipton Professor of Tax Law at the University of Chicago Law School.
Judge: Democrats can't change 2024 election rules now to block Republicans from fall ballot
A judge in Springfield has permanently blocked the state from enforcing a new law backed by Dems which the judge said unconstitutionally rewrote candidate selection rules and would keep Republican state legislative candidates from the 2024 ballot
Former employee alleges gender discrimination against Mark Anthony Brewing
Erin Pydlek has filed a lawsuit against Mark Anthony Brewing alleging gender discrimination and retaliation after being replaced by a man following complaints about pay inequity. The case highlights significant contributions made by Pydlek during her tenure at Mark Anthony Brewing while detailing alleged sexist treatment from company leadership.
Former employee alleges disability and pregnancy discrimination against Oak Street Health
Jazmin Jones has filed a lawsuit against Oak Street Health MSO alleging multiple violations including ADA and FMLA infractions along with sex-based discrimination under Title VII. The case details numerous instances where Jones faced discrimination due to her disability and pregnancy leading up to wrongful termination.
US Extreme Wellness accuses partner company Sonoran Homewatch of breach of partnership agreement
US Extreme Wellness LLC has filed a lawsuit against its partner company Sonoran Homewatch LLC for breaching their partnership agreement related to managing a Walmart e-commerce store. The complaint details unauthorized chargebacks exceeding $58,300 and failure to distribute profits as agreed upon in their contract among other grievances.
Plaintiff alleges usurious loans against internet lender
Benjamin Steffen has filed a class action lawsuit against Green Arrow Solutions and its affiliates for allegedly issuing illegal high-interest loans to Illinois residents via the internet. The complaint seeks declaratory judgment to void these loans and various forms of monetary relief.
Shareholder sues Healthcare Tech Company over alleged revenue misstatements
Juliet Wells has filed a lawsuit against healthcare technology firm Veradigm Inc., accusing it of financial misconduct involving revenue misstatements amounting to $40 million over two years. The case highlights significant internal control failures within the company leading to multiple Nasdaq non-compliance notices.
Attorney General Raoul Charges Kane County Man With Drug Induced Homicide in Fentanyl-related Deaths
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced his office charged a Kane County man with the drug-induced homicides of two individuals who died late last year after taking cocaine laced with fentanyl.
Benesch Welcomes Partner Nicholas R. Pesavento to the Firm’s Corporate & Securities Practice Group
Benesch, one of the fastest-growing firms on the AmLaw 200 list, is pleased to announce the addition of Nicholas R. Pesavento as a Partner in its Corporate & Securities practice group.
Judge who has endorsed statements critical of Chicago Police 'torture' won't step aside from suit accusing cops of torture
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings says a group of Chicago Police detectives haven't done enough to show he can't give them a fair hearing in a lawsuit brought by a man who claims cops tortured him into confessing to double murder. Cummings endorsed reports in '07-'08 accusing cops of 'conspiracy of silence' over 'torture'
Judge nixes ex-Park District lawyer's defamation suit vs Lightfoot over infamous 'big d***' rant
The lawyer had accused former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot over smearing his professional reputation, leading to him resigning, over his handling of settlement talks related to ownership of the city's Columbus statue in 2021
Plaintiff Alleges Civil Rights Violations by City of Naperville Over False Theft Charges
Amara Harris has filed a lawsuit against the City of Naperville and two police officers alleging civil rights violations stemming from false theft charges in 2019. The suit seeks over $20 million in damages along with punitive measures to prevent future misconduct.
Plaintiff Alleges Universal Protection Services Violated Biometric Privacy Laws
Bianca Allen has filed a class action lawsuit against Universal Protection Services LLC alleging violations of Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The suit claims improper collection and storage of employee biometric data without adequate notice or consent.
Plaintiff Alleges City of Chicago Police Officers Falsified Evidence Leading to Malicious Prosecution
Jarvis Mathis has filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago and three police officers alleging malicious prosecution stemming from an incident involving unreliable ShotSpotter technology on New Year's Eve 2021. The suit claims false arrest based on fabricated evidence led to significant personal damages for Mathis.