The United States Supreme Court ruled last Wednesday that churches cannot be sued in employment discrimination suits where the plaintiff is a teacher who serves as a minister of the faith. Lower courts had previously ruled that churches were immune from such claims, holding that the Constitution included a ministerial Read more »
Accused Joliet Priest Attempts to Take His Life
by eugene December 28, 2011
A Joliet mother called the Diocese of Joliet to complain about the relationship between newly ordained priest Alejandro Flores and her younger son. A few days later, the priest was found amidst toppled pews at St. Mary’s Carmelite Church in Joliet. In an apparant suicide attempt, Flores allegedly leaped 20 feet Read more »
Comcast Hit With Race Discrimination Lawsuit
by eugene
Comcast Corporation was recently sued in federal court in Chicago by eleven current and former employees of the communcations giant, alleging that they were discriminated against on the basis of race. The employees, technicians who install equipment, charge that the company fostered a racially hostile work environment becasue they were called derogatory Read more »
Illinois Appellate Court Clarifies Whistleblower Statute
by eugene December 24, 2011
The Illinois Appellate Court just issued an opinion clarifying the Illinois Whistleblower Statute. Curtis Brame was a lieutentant with the North Chicago Police Department. He brought suit against North Chicago, the mayor and police chief, alleging that the chief retaliated against him once he came forward with information that the Read more »
City of Chicago Approves $4 Million in Police Misconduct Cases
by eugene
The City of Chicago approved payment of $4 million to settle several civil rights and wrongful death cases. One case involved the Estate of Patricia Cobige. Cobige was charged with heroin possession in 2006. She was locked up at the Grand Central District police station. Cobige requested that the police Read more »
Cook County Hit By Huge Discrimination Verdict
by eugene
On December 12, 2011, a federal jury in Chicago hit Cook County with a huge discrimination verdict. Dr. Vivian Renta claimed that the County and Dr. Russell Tomar discriminated against her on the basis of race and gender, and further alleged that the County retaliated against her once she filed Read more »
Archdiocese of Chicago Settles Priest Sexual Abuse Lawsuit for $3.2 Million
by eugene November 27, 2011
The Archdicose of Chicago agreed to settle a priest sexual abuse claim with another victim of convicted sex offender Daniel McCormack for $3.2 million, resolving the last case which put the defrocked priest behind bars. in 2007, the former priest pled guilty to sexual abuse, and was sentenced to five Read more »
State Appeals Court Refuses to Overturn Verdict On Basis of Blogging Juror
by eugene
The Illinois Appellate Court refused to overturn a $4.75 million verdict against defendants Metra and BNSF Railway Co. in a 2009 trial involving a wrongful death claim. The victim was struck and killed by a Metra train at a Metra stop in Berwyn. During the trial, one of the jurors Read more »
Seventh Circuit Revives Discrimination Lawsuit Against Law Firm
by eugene
Two weeks ago, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals revived a discrimination lawsuit against the law firm of SmithAmundsen, which was dismissed by a federal district court judge. Laura Makowski was the former Marketing Director of the law firm. According to her lawsuit, Makowski claimed that while she was on maternity Read more »
Family Sues in Death of Firefighter
by eugene
The children of a Chicago firefighter filed a wrongful death lawsuit accusing the owners of an abandoned building for negligence when the roof collapsed during a firefight. The incident happened on December 22, 2010. Edward Stringer responded to the fire at the site of the former Sing Way Cleaners. Notably, Read more »