Illinois

En Banc 7th Circuit Says Parking Tickets May Violate Privacy Statute; Posner Predicts Scofflaw Suits

A federal statute enacted after a California actress was murdered by a stalker who got her address from state motor vehicle records also applies to parking tickets, a federal appeals court has ruled. In an en banc decision (PDF) on Monday, the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed…

Aug 8, 2012 7:10 PM CDT

Sued for Malpractice, Law Firm Fires Back with Fraud Claim, Seeks Freeze on Former Client Assets

As a Chicago law firm tells the story, it got stuck with a client from hell. Kenneth and Wendy Brown were difficult to reach and rejected legal advice when James Koch of Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona represented them in a Securities and Exchange Commission matter, Koch says in a…

Aug 7, 2012 4:52 PM CDT

Family Sues Over Disbanded Girl Scout Troop, Says Federal Law Mandates Interpreter for Deaf Member

The family of a suburban Chicago 12-year-old who has been deaf since birth is suing Megan Runnion’s former Girl Scout troop, contending that officials disbanded it rather than pay for the cost of an interpreter she needs to fully participate in its activities. Although the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago…

Aug 2, 2012 3:45 PM CDT

Ill. Gov Signs ‘Facebook Bill’; As of Jan. 1, Employers Who Ask For Passwords Can Be Fined $200-Plus

A new law on a cutting-edge social media issue has gotten a sign-off from the governor of Illinois. Under the “Facebook bill,” which takes effect Jan. 1, employers can be fined $200 or more if they request personal passwords to the social media site, reports the Chicago Tribune. However, employers…

Aug 1, 2012 9:56 PM CDT

Defense Calls Slain Woman ‘Bonkers,’ Seeks Mistrial in Ex-Cop Drew Peterson’s Wife-Murder Case

There was no shortage of drama as the high-profile Drew Peterson murder trial began in suburban Chicago this week. On Tuesday, the prosecution team, headed by Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, contended that the former Bolingbrook police sergeant drowned his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in the bathtub of her…

Aug 1, 2012 5:30 PM CDT

Ex-Special Prosecutor to Pay $157K to Settle Suit Claiming Hidden Evidence, Perjured Testimony

A former special prosecutor in Illinois who filed charges against the state’s attorney in McHenry County has agreed to pay $157,500 to settle a wrongful prosecution suit. Henry “Skip” Tonigan III agreed to the deal without admitting wrongdoing, report the Chicago Tribune and the Northwest Herald. The suit by State’s…

Jul 30, 2012 12:42 PM CDT

Chicago-Based Consumer Law Firm to Wind Down in 38 States After $2.1M Settlement with Illinois AG

A Chicago-based consumer law firm described by the Illinois attorney general as a “front” for collecting hefty fees rather than a provider of actual assistance to struggling individuals is winding down its operations in some 38 states after agreeing to pay a $2.1 million refund to its customers in the…

Jul 27, 2012 5:27 PM CDT

Chicago Committee OKs $5.375M Police Torture Case Settlement; Ex-Mayor Daley May Not Have to Testify

A Chicago city council finance committee Monday recommended that members OK a $5.375 million settlement to conclude a case of claimed police torture. If approved on Wednesday by the full city council, it will be paid to Michael Tillman. He served well over 20 years for a rape and murder…

Jul 23, 2012 7:58 PM CDT

Illinois Court Staffer Is Accused of Taking Files Home and Shredding Them

A 17-year court employee in Cook County, Ill., has been accused of taking home court files and shredding them at her kitchen table. Bond was set at $750,000 for Jeannette Neibauer, who is charged with official misconduct and tampering with court files, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. She worked for a…

Jul 23, 2012 12:30 PM CDT

Appeals Court OKs Detective’s Warrantless Use of Suspect’s Seized Cellphone to Text His Contacts

Courts in this country have often equated a cellphone with an address book, as far as listed phone numbers are concerned. And, taking that concept a step further, a number have also OK’d police looking at other information in seized electronic devices. Thus, like the California Supreme Court, appellate courts…

Jul 19, 2012 5:10 PM CDT

Former Chief Judge Is Acquitted in Drunken-Driving Case

A retired former chief judge in suburban Chicago’s Lake County was acquitted of a drunken-driving charge at trial Monday after a lengthy litigation battle. David Hall, 59, had previously won a trial court ruling, unsuccessfully appealed by the prosecution, barring the use of blood-alcohol evidence because of the way it…

Jul 16, 2012 9:35 PM CDT

3 Teens Charged with Murder; Authorities Say Video of Crime on Facebook Wall Led to Arrests

Three Chicago teenagers have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 62-year-old father of 12 who reportedly was out collecting metal cans in an alley near his West Rogers Park home to help support his family at about 5 a.m. last week when he was attacked. Authorities…

Jul 16, 2012 5:33 PM CDT

Ethics Complaint Alleges Judge Watched Porn on Courthouse Computer

An ethics complaint filed Friday against an Illinois judge alleges he frequently used a courthouse computer to access pornography. The complaint against Judge Joseph Polito of Will County says he accessed the sites before his morning court call and after his afternoon cases, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He was able…

Jul 16, 2012 11:23 AM CDT

Criminal Defense Lawyer Gets 6 Years, Real Estate Attorney Gets 9 in Federal Mortgage Fraud Case

Updated: On Tuesday, longtime criminal defense attorney Charles Murphy gave up his Illinois law license. Before the end of the week he was sitting stone-faced in a federal courtroom in Chicago full of his supporters, awaiting sentence in a $9.2 million mortgage-fraud case. U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman gave the…

Jul 12, 2012 6:19 PM CDT

Federal Judge Levies $1K Max Fine on Man Who Left Voicemail, Skipped Jury Duty Mid-Trial for Meeting

A federal judge in Chicago imposed the maximum $1,000 fine Tuesday on an Illinois man who left a voicemail message for another judge in the middle of a Medicare fraud trial saying that he had to skip jury duty for a business meeting in another state. However, U.S. District Judge…

Jul 10, 2012 10:26 PM CDT