News

Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a virtual news conference on Tuesday announcing a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s federal spending freeze. Screenshot of videoconference
  • ‘Blatantly unlawful’ federal spending freeze sends state scrambling
    State agencies, nonprofit organizations and a host of other entities that rely on federal funding were thrown into chaos Tuesday following the release of a White House memo that froze — at least temporarily — the distribution of all federal grants, loans and other financial assistance programs.
  • Insurer correctly denied liability coverage to hospital, panel rules
    An insurance company did not err in denying liability coverage to a hospital facing two lawsuits because the healthcare provider reported the claims outside of the contractually mandated reporting period, a state appellate panel ruled.
  • Madigan attorney urges acquittal, accuses feds of misleading statements
    After watching prosecutors spend more than 10 hours over three days dissecting every element of the racketeering and bribery case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the defense on Friday acknowledged the government’s presentation seemed “very polished.”

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  • Employment Law
    Employer’s written disclaimer not automatic bar to wage claim
    In employee compensation documents, how important is the fine print? What happens when glossy PowerPoint presentations are paired with sharply written legalese? The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently answered these questions in Das v. Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., No. 23-3209.
  • Sports Playbook
    Shohei Ohtani fans bring fight over historic baseball to court
    Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hit his 50th home run of the season this fall in a game against the Miami Marlins. The home run made Ohtani the first player in history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
  • Employment Law
    NDAs in employment disputes need attention early in process
    Good work, you are trying to resolve an employment dispute short of trial or hearing. At some point during your discussions, however, one or both sides will add — often at the last minute — something akin to “And of course we will include a non-disclosure agreement and confidentiality.” What? Whoa. Hold up there.
  • Cotter’s Corner
    Swath of executive orders assure lawyers will be busy
    We are one week into the second President Donald J. Trump administration, and in the first whirlwind week of actions by him, one thing is assured — the legal arena and the courts will be in overdrive.
  • Opening Statement
    The Bar Show goes back to future; ‘Fun Home’ explores coming of age
    The Bar Show may well be Chicago’s longest-running singular theatrical sensation.
  • For the Defense
    What happens when settlements trigger litigation over the terms
    Most civil cases on appeal concern the results of dispositive motion and trials. Not many involve settlements, and that is a good thing, because if they did, the civil justice system would grind to a halt as it would be entirely overwhelmed. The vast majority of civil disputes are settled, but even when settled, disputes still arise.
  • Insurance Matters
    Officials can’t be forced to adjudicate claims practices
    The 1st District Appellate Court recently held that mandamus relief is not available to an insured to compel the Illinois Department of Insurance to investigate and prosecute a consumer complaint for engaging in an improper claims practice under 215 ILCS 5/154.5 & 154.6, even though the department is the only entity that can enforce these sections of the Illinois Insurance Code.
  • Racial Justice
    Author sees end of race politics, urges focus on class inequality
    “The View” talk show recently interviewed Coleman Hughes, author of the book “The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America” (Penguin Random House 2024).
  • Employment Law
    Employer’s written disclaimer not automatic bar to wage claim
    In employee compensation documents, how important is the fine print? What happens when glossy PowerPoint presentations are paired with sharply written legalese? The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently answered these questions in Das v. Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., No. 23-3209.
  • Sports Playbook
    Shohei Ohtani fans bring fight over historic baseball to court
    Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hit his 50th home run of the season this fall in a game against the Miami Marlins. The home run made Ohtani the first player in history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
  • Employment Law
    NDAs in employment disputes need attention early in process
    Good work, you are trying to resolve an employment dispute short of trial or hearing. At some point during your discussions, however, one or both sides will add — often at the last minute — something akin to “And of course we will include a non-disclosure agreement and confidentiality.” What? Whoa. Hold up there.
  • Cotter’s Corner
    Swath of executive orders assure lawyers will be busy
    We are one week into the second President Donald J. Trump administration, and in the first whirlwind week of actions by him, one thing is assured — the legal arena and the courts will be in overdrive.