Jonathan Bilyk News
Settlement doesn't mean a settling party's share of blame in injury lawsuit considered 'uncollectable': IL Supreme Court
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled defendants in personal injury lawsuits can't use a settlement by another party to shift some of the remaining liability onto still another party. Dissenting justices called the ruling unfair.
IL Supreme Court: Court foreclosure filing fees are illegal tax to support state 'neighborhood beautification plan'
The Illinois Supreme Court struck down a system that charged $50 filing fees on all mortgage foreclosure lawsuits, and then steered the money to 'housing counseling' agencies and city and county governments, ostensibly to reduce foreclosures and blight.
Latino voters sue over Dem-created IL district maps, say use of flawed data violates 'one-person, one-vote principles'
A second lawsuit in as many days, this time filed by a prominent Latino advocacy organization, asserts the state's Democratic lawmakers used flawed data to make new legislative district maps, resulting in unequal districts that violate voters' constitutional equal protection rights.
Dems' IL district maps challenged; GOP leaders: 'Population estimates' result in unequal, discriminatory districts
The lawsuit filed in federal court says the maps pushed through by Illinois Democrats wrongly rely on survey estimates, not actual Census data.
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Six Flags inks $36M deal to end fingerprint scan class action that resulted in landmark IL Supreme Court decision
Six Flags Great America members and pass holders who visited the park from 2013-2018 could be in line for cash payments of $60-$200. Lawyers could get $12 million.
Pritzker signs law allowing prejudgment interest in personal injury cases; Biz groups warn of big costs
"You know it's a bad idea when they try & hide their actions," said Mark Denzler, president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, about the signing of the law in the closing hours of business before holiday weekend. The law will allow trial lawyers to tack 9% interest on judgments, calculated from the moment a lawsuit was filed.
IL Dems move to redraw state Supreme Court district lines for first time in decades, with eye on preserving their partisan majority
Illinois Democrats say the changes are needed to better balance the districts by population, but the redistricting move comes just months after a longtime Democratic Supreme Court justice lost his bid for retention in a district now considered solidly Republican.
IL high court avoids answering whether state constitutionally borrowed $14B; Says challenger waited too long to sue
The Illinois Supreme Court blocked John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, from suing the state over whether state lawmakers unconstitutionally borrowed billions in 2003 and 2017.
'Threat to everybody:' Townstone says feds mean to make example of them to expand regulatory power over lenders
Townstone Financial President Barry Sturner said he intends to continue fighting a federal regulatory complaint he said appears intended to chill speech federal agents disapprove of, under the rubric of fighting discrimination.
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear church's challenge vs Pritzker's power to impose religious gathering restrictions
A Chicago church had sought an order preventing Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker from reimposing restrictions on religious gatherings over COVID-19. Pritzker has pledged not to do so, but won't disavow the powers he asserted last spring.
IL lawmakers OK revised law allowing prejudgment interest in personal injury cases; Biz groups still fear huge costs
The measure establishes 6% prejudgment interest in personal injury lawsuits, and was still opposed by Illinois doctors, manufacturers and others who fear it will hammer businesses with inflated costs from lawsuits.
Did IL state lawmakers unconstitutionally borrow billions of dollars? IL Supreme Court to decide
Lawyers for the state and for one of Illinois' more prominent conservative taxpayers argued before the Illinois Supreme Court over whether taxpayers have the right at all to challenge state lawmakers' borrowing practices in court.
'Bringing balance back': Reforms could be coming to IL biometrics law used to 'extort' IL employers, advocates say
A proposal to reform provisions in the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act used for years by lawyers to target employers over technical violations of the law, drew rare bipartisan support in an Illinois state House committee vote on March 9.
Springfield judge orders Pritzker administration to produce evidence justifying COVID restaurant shutdowns
The owners of the FoxFire restaurant, of Geneva, scored a win in court, persuading a judge in Springfield to order Gov. JB Pritzker to produce information and documents to back his assertions that his restaurant and bar closure orders were based on scientific data.
Welch 'steps back' from partner role at Ancel Glink, becomes 'Of Counsel;' What does change mean?
New Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch has taken on the role of 'Of Counsel' at the Ancel Glink law firm, but the continuing relationship with the firm that represents local governments across Illinois could raise questions.
Pritzker: No intent to reimpose COVID worship service rules on churches; Says should moot church's legal challenge
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's latest COVID-related executive order includes language declaring Pritzker does 'not intend to' attempt to reimpose gathering restrictions on religious assemblies again under his COVID disaster declarations.
Walmart inks deal to pay $10M to settle workers' handprint scan class action; Lawyers to get one third
Workers could be eligible to receive $460-$756 each under the deal announced in Cook County Circuit Court to end a class action filed against Walmart under the Illinois biometrics privacy law.
Reform advocates hope change in IL Speaker's office brings more than just new tone
Those who represent businesses and employers in Illinois say they hope the switch from former Speaker Madigan to Speaker Chris Welch will help create opportunities for cooperation and reform, despite Welch's lockstep support for Madigan through his legislative career.
IL Supreme Court to decide if taxpayer can sue state over constitutionality of $14B bond issues
The Illinois Supreme Court granted the Illinois Attorney General's petition to appeal a lower court's ruling that a taxpayer should be allowed to move ahead with a lawsuit accusing state lawmakers of borrowing $14 billion to pay pensions and overdue bills in violation of state constitutional limits.
New SCOTUS rulings layout new 'roadmap', 'new legal regime' for churches challenging governors' COVID orders
The U.S. Supreme Court's recent actions could enhance churches' chances in court when challenging COVID- and other pandemic-related worship restrictions imposed by governors.