State Court News
State Court
SAFE-T Act pretrial jailing appeals drop 88% after court rule changes; 'Found a sweet spot,' says task force chair
The number of appeals filed by criminal defendants seeking release from jail while they await trial dropped from 1,041 in January to mid-April to 154 in the three months following rule changes to ease the burden. The appeals numbers are still up significantly compared to years preceding Illinois' criminal justice system reforms
State Court
City Employees Allege Unlawful Enactment Against Chicago's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
A group of city employees filed a lawsuit challenging Chicago's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for lacking proper authorization details. Despite multiple amendments, their claims were dismissed for failing to state sufficient facts or legal backing.
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Assisted Living Resident Alleges Arbitration Agreement Unconscionability Against Facility
In a recent ruling by the Illinois Appellate Court, Joan Hwang successfully challenged an arbitration agreement with Pathway LaGrange Property Owner after sustaining injuries at their assisted living facility in February 2023. The court found the agreement unconscionable due to its one-sided nature favoring the defendant and denied their motion to compel arbitration.
State Court
Nursing homes can use Pritzker Covid orders to block suits over Covid deaths
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled trial lawyers can't entirely sidestep emergency orders issued by Gov. JB Pritzker at the onset of the Covid pandemic to hit nursing homes with lawsuits over Covid deaths, even though the governor's orders appeared to protect them from such lawsuits
State Court
'A downward spiral': Biz groups, legal reformers urge IL high court to nix bid to kill anti-forum shopping rule
The filings come in response to an attempt by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association to seize on a dispute over the constitutionality of a controversial state law to win a long sought policy goal, which would funnel lawsuits into Cook, Madison and St. Clair counties, in pursuit of bigger, easier verdicts
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Plaintiff Alleges Negligence Against Property Managers Over Parking Lot Fall
A woman's appeal against property managers for injuries sustained in a parking lot fall has been denied by an Illinois appellate court. Rossmid Lopez-Arana sued Brian Properties and others for negligence after falling on ice-covered pavement but failed to prove unnatural accumulation caused her injuries according to judges' ruling.
State Court
Plaintiff alleges used car dealer Nitro Detergent Specialists of fraudulent misrepresentation
Brendan Moore's lawsuit against Nitro Detergent Specialists over alleged fraud in a used car sale has been dismissed with prejudice by an Illinois court. The case centered around claims of concealed damage history in a vehicle sold under an “as is” agreement.
State Court
Homeowner Accuses Local Government Over Building Code Violations
A homeowner is challenging local government decisions regarding alleged building code violations at his property in Lansing, Illinois. James Fisher claims procedural missteps led to fines totaling $1000 after disputes over inspection requirements were mishandled by municipal authorities.
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IL Supreme Court: Lawsuit damages over spouse's wrongful death must still be paid if surviving spouse remarries
The unanimous opinion said a judgment compensating one spouse for the loss of another through medical malpractice or other harm must still be paid by defendants, even if the judgment includes money for "material services" the other spouse would have provided to the household in the form of completed chores like cooking meals and washing clothes
State Court
IL Supreme Court: Lawyers still can claim fees, even though incomplete agreements didn't comply with court rules
Clients fired attorneys shortly before settling dispute of multimillion-dollar estate
State Court
Man jailed for contempt for two years by Cook divorce judge over stock dispute with ex-wife, seeks release
A man has been in the Cook County jail for more than two years because Cook County divorce court Judge Michael Forti ruled he should be able to pay his ex-wife millions of dollars that the man says he doesn't have. An appeals court has been asked to determine if the extended jailing has violated the man's due process rights
State Court
Professor Sues DePaul University Over Alleged Contract Breach Following Controversial Article
A tenured philosophy professor at DePaul University has filed a lawsuit against his employer alleging breach of contract after facing criticism for an article he wrote supporting Israel's annexation of Palestinian territories. The court dismissed most claims due to insufficient evidence while highlighting key legal principles regarding academic freedom and defamation.
State Court
Resident Sues Local Car Wash Over Negligence Claim
Taiwo F. Durowade has filed an appeal against Lenny’s Gas-N-Wash Sauk Trail after claiming negligence led to damage to her vehicle during a car wash visit in August 2020. Despite initial setbacks in court rulings regarding jury demands and instructions on negligent voluntary undertaking theories, she continues seeking justice through higher courts.
State Court
Insurance Company Not Obligated To Defend Grocery Chain In Biometric Data Lawsuit
In a recent ruling by the Appellate Court of Illinois dated September 10th, Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London were found not obligated to defend Tony’s Finer Foods Enterprises in a class action lawsuit alleging violations of biometric privacy laws. The decision overturns an earlier ruling by the Circuit Court of Cook County.
State Court
Former Associate Pastor Alleges Church Leadership Breached Contract and Defamed Her
Reverend Sarah Elizabeth Garcia has successfully appealed a previous dismissal of her lawsuit against St Pauls United Church for Christ and its senior leadership over allegations including breach of contract and defamation following her abrupt termination in September 2021.
State Court
Plaintiff accuses appraiser and insurance company of fraud
A recent ruling from the Illinois Appellate Court has dismissed Cynetria Watkins' claims against an appraiser and his insurance company for alleged fraudulent conduct during a home loan application process. The court found insufficient grounds for aiding and abetting fraud claims against Aspen Insurance Company while also affirming dismissal of related charges against appraiser Patrick Maher.
State Court
Widow Accuses Mortgage Company Of Improper Estate Claim Filing
A recent ruling by an Illinois appellate court sided with Alma Chavez Rossi in her legal battle against Amos Financial LLC regarding improper filing claims over her late husband's estate debts.
State Court
Former Special Education Teacher Sues Department Over Denied Unemployment Benefits
Linda Kane’s attempt to secure unemployment benefits has been thwarted by both administrative decisions and court rulings asserting she voluntarily left her job without good cause attributable to her employer. Despite claims of wrongful termination and workplace misconduct at iCan Dream Center, multiple reviews upheld the denial based on substantial evidence suggesting otherwise.
State Court
Former Board Member Alleges Defamation Against Superintendent
Claudia Medina’s lawsuit alleging defamation against Dr. James L. Henderson and Rodney Alexander has been dismissed by an Illinois appellate court due to insufficient evidence supporting her claims.
State Court
Parents Sue Medical Entities Over Alleged Negligence During Childbirth
Rachael and Paul Adamian have filed a lawsuit against multiple medical entities alleging professional negligence during their son Dylan's birth at Good Samaritan Hospital in DuPage County. The Appellate Court has now ordered the case transferred from Cook County back to DuPage due to jurisdictional appropriateness.