Reform News
Reform
Cook County checks in at No. 6 on list of worst U.S. 'Judicial Hellholes'
The American Tort Reform Association released its annual list of the country's most notable "Judicial Hellholes." Cook County's courts earned a spot on the list thanks to a host of "abusive" lawsuits and the potential for many more to come, should the Illinois Supreme Court nix a doctrine used to force certain plaintiffs to sue elsewhere
Reform
'Abject failure:' Suburban prosecutor says SAFE-T Act fueling crime, letting people skip court
Outgoing McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally says Illinois Dems' signature criminal justice reform measures have resulted in increases in defendants committing crime while awaiting trial, or skipping court altogether. Supporters of the law called the critique "misleading" and "racist"
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Reform
Lawsuit accuses Cook divorce judge of unconstitutionally blocking adult son from family's online court hearing
The adult son of a River Forest real estate developer is suing Cook County Judge Abbey Romanek for allegedly violating his rights by refusing to allow him to observe online divorce court hearing involving his parents. The proceedings have resulted in his father being ordered to jail three times in eight years over money disputes
Reform
Cook Courts clerk casts doubts on official numbers touting success of IL criminal justice reforms
Cook County Circuit Clerk Iris Martinez is calling for an independent analysis of court data being used to trumpet the success of Dems' criminal justice reform measures, saying an analysis by her office shows far more people are skipping court dates than are being acknowledged by official numbers
Reform
Pritzker signs biometrics privacy law reform; New law will limit risk of business-ending judgments
Without fanfare, Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a new reform measure that will scale back the financial risk that has faced Illinois employers and other businesses operating in the state for nearly a decade, targeted by thousands of potentially ruinous lawsuits under the state's biometrics privacy law
Reform
Federal judge tosses suit vs IL Judges Assn accusing judges of creating 'league' to control courts, squelch critics
The Illinois Judges Association said the 'rambling diatribe against the judicial system' can't be heard in federal court. Judicial reform advocate plaintiff Edward "Coach" Weinhaus said the IJA's arguments in their motion to dismiss essentially prove his point. A federal judge agreed, three days after the motion to dismiss was filed
Reform
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
Reform
The Next Battles: BIPA changes will spark new debates, but may not alter field for other rising class action causes
Lawyers who filled Illinois courts with thousands of class actions under the IL Biometric Information Privacy Act have also generated scads of big money claims under the state's Genetic Info Privacy Act. But while the claims are similar, BIPA reforms may not translate into reduced risk for IL businesses under GIPA
Reform
Judicial reform advocate says IL Judges Assn allows judges to band together to squelch public criticism
Attorney and court reform advocate Edward "Coach" Weinhaus sued the Illinois Judges Association in federal court, accusing the organization of serving as a cabal enabling judges to quell critics. He pointed to his experiences in Illinois courts after criticizing the presiding judge over Cook County's divorce courts
Reform
Judges challenge IL Tier 2 pension reforms, say law was approved and applied unconstitutionally
If successful, the lawsuit could undo a key pension reform law, which many have credited with helping the state better balance its financially troubled pension systems. It also joins a growing list of challenges claiming lawmakers routinely approve controversial laws unconstitutionally
Reform
'De facto invisible': High costs, court rules, lack of online access can block public from monitoring 'public' court proceedings
A settlement has resolved a class action vs federal courts over fees charged to access online court documents. But high costs for certain records and varying court rules about public access to court records in Illinois and elsewhere create a legal patchwork that mostly limits public view into the courts
Reform
Burke convicted; Ex-Chicago Finance chair used power to boost law firm, stack courts, control government
Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke was convicted on 13 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion charges, stemming from shakedowns of developers, businesspeople and the Field Museum, among others. Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot noted Burke his used his power to leverage control of the courts in Chicago and elsewhere
Reform
Ex-St. Anthony's Hospital HR exec appeals end of lawsuit accusing hospital of firing her for exposing 'pay-for-play'
St. Anthony's former HR head claims she lost job for opposing 'pay-to-play' schemes linked, in part, to ex-House Speaker Madigan, who is now criminally indicted on corruption charges
Reform
Cook County falls just short of being ranked America's worst 'Judicial Hellhole'
Illinois Supreme Court's and Illinois lawmakers' encouragement of big money 'no injury' lawsuits in biometrics class actions and other litigation has powered courts in Chicago to highest ranking ever on American Tort Reform Association's annual list of worst court systems in America for 'lawsuit abuse'
Reform
Lawsuit: Dolton mayor accused of withholding liquor licenses over campaign donations to mayor
The lawsuit from video gaming chain Lacey's Place says scandal-plagued Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is using a "tax audit" as cover for a scheme to withhold liquor license renewals from companies that did not donate to her campaign
Reform
'We can't do this anymore:' Business groups warn of economic fallout from IL biometrics lawsuits, call for reform
A coalition of business groups say potentially massive class action lawsuits under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, unbridled by the Illinois Supreme Court, are threatening the ability of Illinois to attract new business and new tech, and may lead to closures of nursing homes and other key businesses
Reform
Settlement: Reformers to pay state $525K for opposing Pritzker's effort to end fed oversight of state hiring
The deal between reform advocates Michael Shakman and Paul Lurie and the state of Illinois was announced by a federal judge
Reform
Federal jury orders Lake County Circuit Clerk's office to pay $2.5M to 3 ex-workers allegedly fired over politics
Workers say Democratic clerk canned the workers who had campaigned for her Republican rival, immediately after taking office in 2016
Reform
Pritzker seeks $1.5M in fees from reformers who opposed his efforts to end federal oversight of state hiring
Reform advocates Michael Shakman and Paul Lurie say Gov. JB Pritzker's demand amounts to an attempt to punish them for not immediately capitulating to Pritzker's position on the need for continued federal oversight of hiring and promotion within state agencies under the governor's control
Reform
Feds say Cook Co. Circuit Clerk's Office hiring still needs monitoring, but lilkely will end under appeals court ruling
A federal watchdog is saying the Cook County Circuit Clerk's Office still needs oversight of its hiring and promotion practices to root out undue political influence, but recognizes that an appellate ruling, instigated by Gov. JB Pritzker, will likely end supervision.