Lawsuits
Judge: Speedway will need settlement or trial to end class action over worker fingerprint scans
A federal judge rejected attempts by Speedway to avoid paying out millions of dollars or more to as many as 7,200 workers at its Illinois stores for allegedly wrongly requiring them to scan their fingerprints when punching the clock at work, as part of a class action under Illinois' biometrics privacy law
Federal Court
Yandle denies summary judgment for Peoria law firm in million dollar legal malpractice claim
Federal Court
Blend Jet plaintiff attorney dismisses Illinois case while class action proceeds in California
Federal Court
Lawyer for expelled OTHS student introduces videos of extreme bullying, asks what punishment those kids got
EAST ST. LOUIS - O’Fallon High students posted videos of 51 physical and verbal collisions on an Instagram account and many of them look worse than the one that resulted in expulsion of Zariah Anthony, according to her counsel Mark Schuver of Belleville.
Federal Court
Judge to decide lawyer's qualification to serve as legal malpractice expert
BENTON - U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle must decide whether 38 years of legal practice qualifies Joseph Bleyer of Marion as an expert in legal malpractice.
As they spoke, each playing the race and class warfare card, I could not help but ask…do they understand who is in the White House. Now?
Lawsuits
IDOT worker sues trucker over construction zone accident
An Illinois Department of Transportation worker has filed a lawsuit against a truck driver over an accident in a construction zone near Macoutah.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Utility Company Violated Federal and State Laws
Shawnte' Spates has filed a lawsuit against Ameren Corporation alleging violations of FMLA and ADA among other claims. The suit seeks $3 million in damages along with other compensatory reliefs.
State Court
Trustee Accuses Co-Trustees of Fraudulent Transfer in Longstanding Mineral Rights Dispute
A prolonged legal conflict over mineral rights between two trusts escalates as one trustee appeals recent court decisions requiring sequestration of sale proceeds amid accusations of fraudulent transfers.
Federal Court
County Sheriff's Office Accused of Negligence Leading to Inmate's Death
A new lawsuit has been filed alleging negligence by a county sheriff's office leading to an inmate's death while detoxing from fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. The plaintiff seeks over $75,000 in damages along with punitive measures against involved officers.
Federal Court
Healthcare Employee Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Major Hospital Network
Timothy Porter has filed a lawsuit against Southern Illinois Healthcare Enterprises alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination after years of dedicated service. The case details incidents where Porter's career advancement was hindered due to racial bias while less-qualified White colleagues received preferential treatment.
State Court
Defendant accused of Negligence
A recent court filing reveals Jeffery M. Dillon’s allegations against Christie Clinic LLC and physical therapist Stacy Trulock over negligence during a physical therapy session gone wrong in October 2018.
Federal Court
Groundskeeper Sues Chevron Over Alleged Link Between Herbicide Exposure and Parkinson’s Disease
Richard Schacca has filed a lawsuit against Chevron U.S.A., Inc., claiming that exposure to their herbicide product Paraquat caused him to develop Parkinson's Disease. Filed on June 27th in Illinois federal court by attorney Peter J. Flowers from Meyers & Flowers LLC., Schacca seeks over $75k in damages for medical expenses and suffering due to alleged negligence by Chevron.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Sterling Jewelers Engaged in Systemic Discrimination
Leonard Slaughter has filed a lawsuit against Sterling Jewelers Inc., alleging race-based and sex-based discrimination during his employment at Kay Jewelers. The case highlights claims of unequal treatment in promotions and compensation along with accusations of retaliation following complaints made by Slaughter.
Federal Court
Former employee sues Carrier Mills Nursing & Rehabilitation Center over pregnancy discrimination
A former Certified Nursing Assistant has filed a lawsuit against Carrier Mills Nursing & Rehabilitation Center alleging pregnancy-based discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2023. The plaintiff seeks back pay with interest among other forms of relief.
Judge: Speedway will need settlement or trial to end class action over worker fingerprint scans
A federal judge rejected attempts by Speedway to avoid paying out millions of dollars or more to as many as 7,200 workers at its Illinois stores for allegedly wrongly requiring them to scan their fingerprints when punching the clock at work, as part of a class action under Illinois' biometrics privacy law
Highway worker who sued over Mascoutah highway crash doesn't need surgery, after all, attorney says
Shortly after attorneys for an Oregon truck driver moved to take the case from St. Clair County court to federal court, a lawyer representing a highway worker allegedly injured in a construction zone crash says he expects his injuries will be far less costly, so the case belongs back in St. Clair court, not federal
Rosenstengel says US Steel can't avoid testifying about policies, practices for disabled workers
The judge said she will allow plaintiffs to question US Steel representatives under oath and consolidate two cases concerning treatment of injured workers at its Granite City plant
Arbitration agreements may defeat OT wage class action vs retail merchandising biz
A Springfield judge sided with Taylorville-based Driveline Retail Merchandising in dispute with merchandisers from throughout U.S. who accused company of shorting wages and OT under federal and state law
IDOT worker sues trucker over construction zone accident
An Illinois Department of Transportation worker has filed a lawsuit against a truck driver over an accident in a construction zone near Macoutah.
IL Baptists plan to appeal ruling that IL abortion coverage mandate doesn't violate religious rights
A Springfield judge agreed with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul that the state's abortion health insurance coverage mandate doesn't violate religious objectors' rights because they can still buy health insurance from other states
Illinois ban on carrying concealed weapons on transit unconstitutional, judge says
A Rockford federal judge particularly called a legal theory advanced by Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx that government can ban guns on all public property "breathtaking, jawdropping, and eyepopping" for the harm it could deliver to constitutional rights everywhere
GOP House candidates rail against defunding of Invest in Kids with DNC as backdrop
CHICAGO - Republican candidates for the General Assembly stood for school choice at an outdoor exercise in free speech near the Democratic national convention.
Appeals court tosses Dorman suit challenging IL ban on short-barreled rifles
The Fifth District Appellate Court said the state's ban on short-barreled rifles doesn't violate the Second Amendment or recent Supreme Court decisions because federal courts have consistently ruled that such weapons aren't commonly used for self-defense, but rather for crimes
Supreme Court won't step in - yet - to overturn Illinois 'assault weapons' ban
The U.S. Supreme Court denied petitions from Illinois gun owners to review a Chicago federal appeals court's decision allowing Illinois' controversial gun ban law to take effect. Justice Clarence Thomas, however, called that decision 'nonsensical,' and warned the Illinois law will ultimately face a difficult reception at the high court
Asbestos lawyers fight fraud lawsuit with anti-SLAPP motion
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The major asbestos law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy is hoping to SLAPP down a lawsuit that accused it of cheating its way to billions of dollars.
Unions can defend vs attempts to force IL to clean up voter rolls, judge says
A federal judge in Chicago has given two powerful labor unions the right to fight in court against a lawsuit brought conservative activist groups seeking to force the state of Illinois more stringently comply with federal law requiring the state and local election authorities to purge voter rolls of dead and otherwise ineligible voters
Did IL just try again to ban E-Verify? New law could leave employers facing hard choices, big challenges
The new law could leave Illinois employers facing a choice between abiding by competing state and federal immigrant employment laws and requirements, and leave Illinois facing another day in court defending a law which could stand in defiance to federal laws governing immigrant work eligibility
Bestwall subpoenas 21 plaintiff firms in asbestos bankruptcy challenging exposure
CHARLOTTE - Bestwall, the company Georgia Pacific created to resolve its asbestos liability, served subpoenas for documents of 21 law firms on July 2 including the Gori firm, Flint Cooper, and Goldenberg Heller of Edwardsville.
KCIC issues 2023 asbestos litigation report
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An analysis done by Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm KCIC found that asbestos filings were up by 2.4% in 2023 over the previous year.
Plaintiff seeks recognition of rural road as public amid property dispute
Ross E. Shepard Jr.'s legal battle over access rights to his landlocked property hinges on whether Tamarack Road is deemed public through prolonged use or if he can secure an implied easement by necessity.
Blend Jet plaintiff attorney dismisses Illinois case while class action proceeds in California
EAST ST. LOUIS - Texas lawyer Stuart Cochran relieved Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel of a duty to decide whether his potential class action over dangerous blenders duplicated one in California.
Rep. Schmidt donates legislative pay raise he opposed to food pantries; 'I put my money where my mouth is'
Illinois State Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is donating the legislative pay raise he voted against to community food pantries within his district each month.
ARDC issues complaint against Duebbert over investigation resulting in exoneration of murder suspect
SPRINGFIELD – Attorney regulators filed a complaint against Ron Duebbert on May 5, over conduct that cost him his job as circuit judge.