News from 2024
Hockey coach sues St. Viator HS, says school broke 'handshake deal' for head varsity job
Ex-Stevenson HS junior varsity head hockey coach Ralph Menotti says Saint Viator and its hockey club committed fraud by allegedly verbally offering him the head varsity coach position, only for higher-ups in the club and school to take it back after he had already quit his current job
Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Recognized as Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers
Seven lawyers from global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP were recognized as Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers.
Timothy M. Ravich Elected to the Decalogue Society of Lawyers Board of Managers
Tressler attorney Timothy M. Ravich has been elected to the Decalogue Society of Lawyers Board of Managers.
Cook Co 'assault weapons' ban not constitutional, even under prior appeals court ruling upholding IL gun ban: Filing
Second Amendment rights advocates urged the Seventh Circuit Appeals Court to strike down Cook County's "assault weapons" ban ordinance and overrule their colleagues, saying the ordinance and the decision violate the Constitution and clash with two Supreme Court rulings
Plaintiffs Allege Major Food Corporation Misleads Consumers with False Claims About Frozen Fish Products
Plaintiffs have filed a class action lawsuit against Conagra Brands alleging deceptive marketing practices regarding their frozen fish products labeled as “100% Whole Fish.” The lawsuit claims these products contain industrial fillers like sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) to artificially increase weight and seeks various forms of relief including damages and injunctive measures.
Citizen Sues City of Chicago Over Alleged Civil Rights Violations
A gripping lawsuit has been filed by Derrick D. Evans against the City of Chicago and several police officers over alleged civil rights violations dating back to June 2022. The case involves accusations ranging from unlawful seizure of property to excessive force and false imprisonment.
Former Employee Alleges Severe Discrimination Against Healthcare Provider
Ruby Maskey has filed a lawsuit against Clarity Clinic alleging severe workplace discrimination based on national origin and retaliation following complaints about harassment. Filed in June 2024 in Illinois' Northern District Court, Maskey seeks over $400K in damages.
Judges’ association member recuses himself from case demanding judge association members recuse themselves from cases
U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso is asking to be removed from a case that claims members in the state's largest judicial lobbying group-- of which he is one-- play favorites and back the rulings of their fellow members over those of litigants.
Herman Williams granted Certificate of Innocence by Lake County, Illinois Judge
Certificate of Innocence (COI) for Herman Williams is a validating milestone in his fight for justice following his wrongful conviction and decades in prison for the 1993 murder of his former wife.
Celebrating Pride Month: A Conversation With Kara Ingelhart
This year, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Bluhm Legal Clinic launched the LGBTQI+ Rights Clinic to advance advocacy in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) rights.
Burke sentenced to two years + $2M fine; Sentencing a 'disappointing spectacle,' says BGA
Prosecutors sought 8 years in prison for ex-Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, the highly powerful political figure who was convicted on extortion and political corruption charges in Dec. 2023. Burke held the position of City Council's Finance Chairman for decades, epitomizing political corruption and patronage, according to critics and prosecutors
Liberty Justice Center on automatic license plate readers lawsuit: 'The Fourth Amendment was written long before we had the technology to track peoples’ movements'
A public interest law firm is suing Illinois law enforcement officials for monitoring the movements of Illinoisans with automatic license plate readers (ALPRs).
Former Employee Sues Major Party Supply Company Over Biometric Data Violations
A former employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against Party City Holdco Inc., alleging violations of Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The plaintiff claims that the company collected and stored voiceprints without proper consent or disclosure, exposing employees to significant privacy risks.
Former Security Officer Sues City of Chicago Over Disability Discrimination
Marcos Sanchez has filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago alleging disability discrimination and retaliation after nearly ten years working as a security officer. Represented by Arthur R. Ehrlich from Goldman & Ehrlich law firm in Chicago (Case No.: 24-cv-4885), Sanchez seeks over $660K in damages including lost wages and emotional distress compensation.
Former Employee Alleges Amazon.com Services LLC of Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
A former Amazon employee has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation during his tenure at the company. The plaintiff claims he faced a hostile work environment due to homophobic slurs from a colleague and inadequate responses from Human Resources leading up to his wrongful termination.
Former Employee Alleges Age Discrimination Against Logistics Company
Mary Harter has filed a lawsuit against Hub Group Inc., claiming she faced age discrimination and harassment leading up to her termination after nearly 24 years with the company. The case brings attention to alleged violations of federal protections against age-based employment discrimination.
Celebrating Pride Month: A Journey Through History and Chicago’s Unique Celebration
This month, join HSPRD in honoring and celebrating the history and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community and continuing the fight for equality throughout and beyond Pride Month.
de Chavez Receives Luminary Award
HeplerBroom’s Tanya de Chavez recently received a 2024 City Colleges of Chicago Luminary Award.
Truck Driver Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Travel Centers of America
A semi-truck driver has filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination at a travel center operated by TA Operating LLC in Hampshire, Illinois. The plaintiff claims he was subjected to hostile treatment and false imprisonment after questioning repair charges on his vehicle.
Consumer Sues Outdoor Cooking Equipment Manufacturer Over Defective Electric Smokers
A new class action lawsuit has been filed against Char-Broil, LLC alleging that their digital electric smokers pose an electric shock hazard to users due to a manufacturing defect. Filed by Monica Fares in Illinois federal court on June 12, 2024, the suit seeks compensatory damages among other reliefs for affected consumers nationwide following a major product recall earlier this year.