News from May 2024
'Anti-democracy' law blocked: GOP candidates win court order stopping Dems from using new law to keep them off ballot
A Springfield judge said she believed four prospective Republican state legislative candidates were likely to win their case, accusing the state's Democratic supermajority of unconstitutionally using a hastily enacted law to keep them and other GOP challengers off the ballot in November
McKendree University graduate student dismisses claims over COVID closures; Proposed class action remains pending
McKendree University graduate student Kaitlin Pennington voluntarily dismissed her claims against the college, alleging students were deprived of the full on-campus services due to COVID-19 closures.
Plaintiffs Allege Illinois Department of Corrections Excludes Disabled Inmates from Programs
Five inmates have filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Corrections alleging systematic exclusion from educational and mental health programs due to disabilities. The suit seeks injunctive relief and damages for violations under federal disability rights laws.
Plaintiff alleges Dollar General violated civil rights through racial discrimination
Contessa Washington has filed a lawsuit against DG Retail LLC (Dollar General) alleging racial discrimination during her employment. The case details incidents leading up to her termination and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
Attorney General Raoul Applauds House Passage of Legislation to Expand Worker Protections Against Retaliation
Attorney General Kwame Raoul applauded the House’s passage of legislation that would protect workers from retaliatory conduct by employers, strengthen current protections under state law and codify the authority of Raoul’s Workplace Rights Bureau to investigate and hold employers who retaliate or threaten to retaliate accountable.
John P. Hackett selected to fill associate judge vacancy in the Third Judicial Circuit
Chief Judge Stephen Stobbs announced Tuesday that John P. Hackett was selected to serve as associate judge in the Third Judicial Circuit, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Judge Ronald Slemer.
Former Williamson County State's Attorney given probation for property sale scheme
Former Williamson County State’s Attorney Brandon Zanotti was sentenced in a Southern Illinois federal court for scheming to sell seven commercial rental properties by falsifying loan and other bank documents.
Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit
Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced that the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Michael P. Zasadil as an associate judge of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit.
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
Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the Fifth Judicial Circuit
Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Fifth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Nicolas J. Boileau as an associate judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Judge denies TRO sought by GOP candidates to block law that changed election rules to keep GOPers off ballot
The lawsuit, filed by four prospective Republican state House and Senate candidates, say Illinois Democrats violated the right to vote by rushing through a new state elections law that rewrites the candidate selection process in the middle of the 2024 election cycle to protect their incumbents from possible challengers
Nearly 750 Paraquat cases tossed after S. IL federal judge demands end to far fetched, implausible exposure claims
A year ago, U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel, chief judge of the Southern District of Illinois, ordered plaintiffs to dispense with questionable claims that weed killer paraquat caused plaintiffs' illness. Since then, 746 cases have been dismissed or withdrawn.
Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Christopher Pratt As at-large Judge in Eighth Judicial Circuit
Justice Lisa Holder White and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Christopher W. Pratt as an At-Large Circuit Judge in the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Adams County.
IL lawmakers OK bill to limit risk of financial ruin for businesses targeted by biometrics class actions
The Illinois House has passed legislation to reform the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. The legislation would specify that the law's costly damages demands should be applied per person, not per fingerprint or other biometric scan. Biz groups say the reforms are welcome, but more are needed
Gilbert rejects St. Clair County's motion to reconsider its request to dismiss emergency dispatcher wage dispute
BENTON - Senior U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert denied a motion to reconsider an order in favor of St. Clair County emergency dispatchers, comparing it to a magic trick.
Attorney General Raoul Defends Massachusetts’ Gun Laws
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 18 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit on behalf of Massachusetts, defending its commonsense gun safety laws from a Second Amendment challenge.
Study finds lawyers concerned about AI
CHARLESTON — A recent study that looked at different careers found that lawyers are the most cautious regarding artificial intelligence technologies.
Attorney General Raoul Sues Alternative Retail Electric Supplier Vendor for Deceptive and Unfair Marketing Practices
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced his office filed a lawsuit against Southeast Energy Consultants LLC (SEC), alleging the third-party vendor working on behalf of several alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES) deceived customers into switching from their public utility companies to more expensive contracts with alternative energy suppliers.
Fifth District reverses pretrial release for man who fled police in stolen vehicle, drove towards on-coming traffic
The Fifth District Appellate Court reversed Madison County Associate Judge Emily Nielsen’s order rejecting pretrial detention under the SAFE-T Act for a man who fled police in a stolen vehicle, speeding towards on-coming traffic until he crashed head-on with another motorist.
Woman alleges Flynn Group d/b/a Taco Bell Restaurant discriminated against her due to pregnancy
In a recent lawsuit, a woman alleges that she was discriminated against during a job interview due to her pregnancy. The case brings into focus the issue of workplace discrimination and the rights of pregnant women.