Shakespeare Squared sued for not paying wages

The Illinois Department of Labor has sued a dissolved business for allegedly not paying wages.

Represented by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office, the department filed suit Oct. 30 in Cook County Circuit Court against Shakespeare Squared LLC, as well as John Kleeman and Kimberly Kleeman, both individually and in their official capacities,  citing the state's Wage Payment and Collection Act.

According to the complaint, Kathleen Laya was employed by Shakespeare Squared, which John Kleeman owned and Kimberly Kleeman served as an operating agent.

The department contends that during the pay periods between Sept. 29, 2008 to the present, the defendants failed to comply with the Wage Payment and Collection Act by underpaying or making improper deductions to Laya's paychecks.

According to the suit, Laya is owed $51,783 in wages.

The department is seeking damages in the amount of $51,783 payable to Laya and $113,922.60 in penalties, as well as costs and any other damages the court deems just.

Circuit Court of Cook County Case No. 2013L011975.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.