Hot Topics
Lawsuit: IL law requiring nonprofits to disclose leaders' race, gender promotes discrimination
The American Association for Equal Rights has filed another suit against the state, now seeking to strike down a Pritzker-backed law forcing nonprofits to disclose their leaders' race, gender and other 'demographic classifications.'
Federal Court
Yandle to decide jurisdiction in dispute between Schlafly brewer and Highland developer
Asbestos
Bestwall says asbestos sample paints picture of 'questionable conduct by plaintiffs and counsel'
CHARLOTTE - From 430,000 asbestos suits Georgia Pacific entity Bestwall selected 221 to support its theory that plaintiffs inflated settlements by concealing evidence of other exposures.
From Cook County Record
IL biometrics claims multiplied again in '24, helping to fuel big class action payouts nationwide
A new report from defense law firm Duane Morris said class action settlements again totaled more than $40B in 2024, with attorneys raking in many of those billions for themselves in fees. In Illinois, much of the action was driven by hundreds of new claims under the Illinois biometrics privacy law, despite reforms
“George, don’t you see, you really had a wonderful county. Don’t you see how bad it would be to throw it all away because of greed and selfishness?”
Lawsuits
Man sues Casey's over slip-and-fall injury
A man has filed a lawsuit against Casey's Retail Company in Madison County Circuit Court, alleging he sustained severe injuries after slipping and falling on ice at Casey's Wood River store.
Lawsuits
Ex-SIU staffer hits school with discrimination suit for denying her work-from-home for anxiety, depression
A former employee of SIU has filed a lawsuit against the university's Board of Trustees, alleging discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Lawsuits
Female flight nurse says Carle Foundation wrongly fired her after she became pregnant
Shelby Scholes, a former flight nurse, has filed a discrimination lawsuit against Carle Foundation Hospital, alleging wrongful termination due to her pregnancy.
Lawsuits
Belleville Boot Co. hit with transgender discrimination suit
A transgender employee has filed a lawsuit against Belleville Boot Company alleging discrimination and harassment based on gender identity.
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
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
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.
Lawsuits
Class action accuses Bob Evans of not properly paying workers
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Bob Evans Restaurants, LLC, alleging that the company failed to properly compensate its employees for overtime work.
Lawsuits
Lawsuit: Grafton Skytour operators cut pregnant worker's hours, then ultimately terminated her
A woman has filed a lawsuit against the operators of Grafton Skytour, alleging that her employer reduced her working hours and eventually terminated her employment after she disclosed her pregnancy
Man sues Casey's over slip-and-fall injury
A man has filed a lawsuit against Casey's Retail Company in Madison County Circuit Court, alleging he sustained severe injuries after slipping and falling on ice at Casey's Wood River store.
Ex-SIU staffer hits school with discrimination suit for denying her work-from-home for anxiety, depression
A former employee of SIU has filed a lawsuit against the university's Board of Trustees, alleging discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Female flight nurse says Carle Foundation wrongly fired her after she became pregnant
Shelby Scholes, a former flight nurse, has filed a discrimination lawsuit against Carle Foundation Hospital, alleging wrongful termination due to her pregnancy.
Pipe maker J-M says big asbestos firm Simmons Hanly shouldn't escape lawsuit fraud claims
J-M Manufacturing is pushing back against efforts by prominent asbestos law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy to end J-M's lawsuit accusing Simmons of a racket of "sham" asbestos lawsuits. The Simmons firm claims such racketeering claims aren't allowed against law firms over such litigation activities
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
Lawsuit: IL law requiring nonprofits to disclose leaders' race, gender promotes discrimination
The American Association for Equal Rights has filed another suit against the state, now seeking to strike down a Pritzker-backed law forcing nonprofits to disclose their leaders' race, gender and other 'demographic classifications.'
IL biometrics claims multiplied again in '24, helping to fuel big class action payouts nationwide
A new report from defense law firm Duane Morris said class action settlements again totaled more than $40B in 2024, with attorneys raking in many of those billions for themselves in fees. In Illinois, much of the action was driven by hundreds of new claims under the Illinois biometrics privacy law, despite reforms
'Assault weapons' ban to continue in IL, for now, while courts handle appeal
The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request from Illinois Atty Gen Kwame Raoul to keep a decision on hold from a southern Illinois federal judge, who declared Illinois' ban on so-called "assault weapons" an "unconstitutional affront" to the Second Amendment
Justice for Jussie? IL Supreme Court overturns Smollett conviction for lying to cops
The Illinois Supreme Court said Smollett's conviction for lying to police about his hoax attack claims was an unconstitutional violation of his rights to due process because he should have been able to rely on the charge-dropping deal from Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
Judges: Reforms to limit harm from IL biometrics law should apply to pending lawsuits, too
Recent rulings from a Chicago federal judge and a Cook County judge are seen as key wins for Illinois businesses, as they begin the work of answering a key question that could decide the fates of potentially hundreds of lawsuits with many millions of dollars at stake
Appeal denied: David Cates must defend $10 million fraud suit brought by former partner
SPRINGFIELD - Supreme Court Justices denied leave for David Cates to appeal a ruling that he must defend a $10 million fraud suit of former partner Ryan Mahoney in Madison County rather than arbitration.
Illinois election results by county: How Harris compared to Pritzker's '22 popularity
ILLINOIS - Counties with the fewest black residents liked Vice President Kamala Harris more than they liked Gov. JB Pritzker in 2022, but Cook County with more than a million black residents liked Pritzker more than Harris.
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 says asbestos sample paints picture of 'questionable conduct by plaintiffs and counsel'
CHARLOTTE - From 430,000 asbestos suits Georgia Pacific entity Bestwall selected 221 to support its theory that plaintiffs inflated settlements by concealing evidence of other exposures.
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.
Appeals court: State must ensure IDES board review isn't 'rubber stamp' for employers
Panel overturns denial of benefits for pharmacy worker, calls on governor and lawmakers to act
Yandle to decide jurisdiction in dispute between Schlafly brewer and Highland developer
BENTON - U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle gets to decide whether a dispute between brewer David Schlafly and contractor Daniel Werner of O’Fallon over a renovation project in downtown Highland belongs in her court or St. Clair County circuit court.
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
Judicial Inquiry Board: Appeals judge Sheldon Harris talked with other judges about nephew's case, testified falsely
The Illinois state board tasked with investigating misconduct accusations against judges has asked the Illinois Courts Commission to discipline First District Appellate Justice Sheldon A. Harris, who has announced he is retiring later this year