Cook County Record

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Their View News

Their View

Palm v. Holocker: A Study in Legislative Inactivity

The Illinois Supreme Court specifically asked Illinois lawmakers to clear up a problem in a state law governing when litigants' medical conditions can be raised as "an issue" in a civil lawsuit. The General Assembly has not even acknowledged the request.

By John M. Fitzgerald, Tabet DiVito & Rothstein | Nov 13, 2019

Their View

Biometrics class actions rising in Illinois, show no signs of abating. What can you do?

Class action lawsuits under the Illinois Biometrics Information Privacy Act continue to mount following a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision. Husch Blackwell lawyers offer a look at what that could mean to you.

By Michael Hayes, Robert Tomaso and Anne Mayette, Husch Blackwell | Nov 5, 2019

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Sweeping changes to IL employment laws mean employers should take note, make changes to avoid big penalties

By Lauren Bever and Franklin Wolf | Sep 20, 2019

Illinois has made big changes to its laws addressing sexual harassment, human rights and other employment rules. Here's how it could affect your business.

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From Madison Record

Pritzker contract gives AFSCME unfettered access to workers' private information

By Mailee Smith, Illinois Policy Institute | 3 months ago

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker agreed to a deal with AFSCME Council 31 that threatens the privacy of state workers and violates workers’ rights.

Pritzker, Raoul deal with Sterigenics 'only decision' to make within the law, despite 'vigilante' efforts of local lawmakers

By Rich Trzupek | Aug 28, 2019

Three Illinois Republican lawmakers have "aided and abetted the 21st Century version of vigilante justice in place of the rule of law" by backing the claims and actions of activists seeking to shut down Sterigenics, when the company did not violate applicable emissions rules, says air quality consultant and chemist Rich Trzupek.

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From Madison Record

Pritzker promises over $10 billion in new spending on $3.4 billion progressive tax hike

By Tivas Gupta and Adam Schuster, Illinois Policy Institute | 4 months ago

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan falls far short of the revenue needed to pay for his spending promises – feeding fears of future tax hikes on middle-class families.

Affordable housing boost, at everyone else's expense

By Mark Glennon, Wirepoints | Jul 30, 2019

Illinois lawmakers are contemplating special tax breaks for developers to encourage affordable housing. But it may just end up raising your tax bill.

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From Madison Record

Illinois home values down 21%, property taxes up 9% since 2007

By Orphe Divounguy and Bryce Hill, Illinois Policy Institute | 5 months ago

Without serious property tax relief – including pension reform – it is likely fewer will demand planting roots in Illinois.

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From Madison Record

Doubling Illinois' gas tax, other tax hikes will go to fund more than $1.4 billion of waste and pork

By Adam Schuster, Illinois Policy Institute | 5 months ago

Lawmakers sold 21 new taxes and fees as necessary to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges and balance the budget. Instead, taxpayers will be funding dog parks, swimming pools, snowmobile paths, a vacant theater and pickleball courts.

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From Madison Record

Pain at the pump

By Ted Dabrowski, Wirepoints | 6 months ago

Illinoisans' pain at the pump will be more acute than ever now that the state's motor fuel tax has doubled to 38 cents per gallon from 19 cents.

Illinois "deep pockets" law leaves taxpayers on hook for big settlements, despite minimal fault

By John Pastuovic | Jun 14, 2019

Illinois lawmakers' refusal to reform the law has socked taxpayers with a "lawsuit tax," leaving Chicago and other governments as the "deep pockets" defendants needing to foot the bill for huge settlements, when they aren't even at fault.

'Fair Workweek' laws coming soon to Illinois. Employers should take note

By Jessica Causgrove, Fisher Phillips | Apr 17, 2019

So-called 'Fair Workweek' laws have landed in big, politically progressive cities across the country, and Illinois and Chicago are likely to soon follow. It will have a big impact on just about every business.

Martin takes helm as 4th chair in Jenner & Block's 105-year history

By Karen Kidd | Jan 26, 2019

"It's a great day to be a lawyer," Craig Martin, the newest chair of the over a century-old law firm Jenner & Block, said during a recent interview.

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From Madison Record

Lawsuit abuse still a problem in Illinois

By John Pastuovic, Illinois Civil Justice League | 1 year ago

The problems plaguing courtrooms throughout Illinois are well-documented. Our courts have seen ridiculous cases over having too many peanuts in a bag of mixed nuts or allegations of being “injured” by paying higher prices for products than their self-claimed worth.

Letter to Editor: Viable options exist for Obama Center without confiscating public park land

By Charles A. Birnbaum | Oct 17, 2018

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Attorney calls Supreme Court's Jevic structured dismissal reversal noteworthy

By Kyla Asbury | Aug 11, 2018

According to an article written by David Christian for The Circuit Rider, The U.S. Supreme Court reversed a Third Circuit Court of Appeals "structured dismissal" ruling in which former Jevic Holding Corp. truck drivers fought being left out of a settlement in the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case

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From Madison Record

Harvey: Canary in the collapsing Illinois coal mine

By Matt Besler, Illinois Opportunity Project | 1 year ago

Your job, your pension, or your home. This is the choice left to several families in Harvey, Illinois. They can’t have all three and some don’t even have the choice of one.

When Irish eyes are cryin'

By Cook County Record | Mar 16, 2018

We're all Irish on St. Patrick's Day. So we pretend as we turn out for parades sporting leprechaun hats and green garments adorned with shamrocks, washing down corned beef and cabbage with green beer at a church hall afterward as though this once-a-year repast were a regular part of our diet.

'Pharmacy deserts' not helped by Chicago city regulations, lack of social responsibility from chains

By The Cook County Record | Mar 7, 2018

Shareholders and the public like to hear companies talk the talk of social responsibility, but businesses need to also walk the walk of social responsibility by demonstrating their commitment to their under-served pharmacy customers even in the face of short-term business pressures. We should examine our continuing effort to insure that all communities have ready access to prescription medications and essential pharmaceutical services.

Bad Science at NIOSH?

By Bruce Fein | Feb 2, 2018

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 as a research agency focused on the study of worker safety and health.