Illinois

IL Court Snuffs Light Cigarette Suit

Enough, already. That appeared to be the message of the Illinois Supreme Court, when it issued a two-paragraph supervisory order yesterday directing a Madison County judge to drop efforts to reopen a light cigarettes class action that originally resulted in a $10.1 billion verdict, the largest ever in the state.…

Aug 24, 2007 11:46 AM CDT

Refco Trustee Seeks $2 Billion from Mayer Brown, Others

A court-appointed trustee for creditors of Refco Inc. is now seeking $2 billion from defendants, including Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw, in a lawsuit over a 2005 initial public offering of the commodities firm. The suit, filed Tuesday in Illinois state court in Chicago, and the trustee, Marc S. Kirschner,…

Aug 23, 2007 9:45 PM CDT

Mortgage Counseling Hits Roadblocks

Illinois is addressing rising foreclosure rates with a new law requiring some buyers to get counseling about predatory loan terms. But good intentions didn’t stop lawsuits challenging an earlier, pilot version of the counseling program. The new law passed this month requires Chicago-area consumers buying their first home or seeking…

Aug 21, 2007 7:32 PM CDT

SEC Sues Sentinel

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil fraud charges yesterday against Sentinel Management Group, alleging the short-term investment management company misled clients about the reasons it was freezing a $1.5 billion fund. The actions followed Sentinel’s bankruptcy filing on Friday, reports the New York Times’ DealBook blog. Sentinel told clients…

Aug 21, 2007 2:55 PM CDT

If Horses Win, Lions Lose: All-Beef Diet?

A possible federal ban on slaughtering horses for their meat isn’t supported by at least one group of animal-lovers: lion-keepers and other fans of big cats. It turns out that zoos, which often feed horse meat to their carnivorous animals, are the biggest consumer of domestic horse meat. Nonetheless, some…

Aug 14, 2007 11:05 PM CDT

Chicago Parking Ticket a Tough Case

Chicago has a reputation for being overly aggressive about ticketing unwary motorists for dubious parking infractions, especially downtown. Plus, for the relative few who contest parking tickets, either by mail or in person, there is “a widespread perception that the system is tilted to maximize the haul,” writes the Chicago…

Aug 13, 2007 3:28 PM CDT

Law Grad Spots Stylish Attire in Trash

When she moved to Chicago from New York after graduating from law school last year, Lauri Apple, who is still looking for the job of her dreams, knew of at least one good way to save money. If she needs something to wear, she takes a look in the local…

Aug 6, 2007 9:47 PM CDT

Bloomberg: Insurers Aren’t Paying Claims

Despite having had to cover Hurricane Katrina, the worst U.S. disaster in the history of insurance, carriers are earning record profits. One reason why is that many don’t pay claims to the extent promised in insurance policies, a news agency says. “Insurers often pay 30-60 percent of the cost of…

Aug 3, 2007 8:47 PM CDT

New Standard Lets Weil Sue Mayer

A private equity firm’s selection of New York City bankruptcy powerhouse Weil Gotshal & Manges to handle a $245 million claim against Chicago-based Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw probably wouldn’t have been possible in the not-so-distant past. That’s because Weil likely would have been conflicted out of representing Thomas H.…

Aug 1, 2007 4:53 PM CDT

IP, Going Once ... Twice

It was standing room only for business-suit types at Ocean Tomo’s Spring 2007 Live Intellectual Property Auction.

Aug 1, 2007 11:50 AM CDT

Jury’s Out on Drug Court Judge’s Legacy

A community in suburban Chicago is divided over a drug court judge who saw amazing successes, a record that some say is the result of bullying and improper tactics. Supporters say Judge Jim Doyle worked tirelessly to nudge drug-addicted suspects to reform, helping turn around the lives of thieves and…

Jul 30, 2007 4:16 PM CDT

Illinois is 19th State to Ban Smoking

With the stroke of the state governor’s pen, Illinois today became the 19th state to ban smoking in most public buildings. The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2008, applies to smokers in “bars, restaurants and just about every other public place where they might still be hanging out,” reports…

Jul 24, 2007 12:19 AM CDT

Would-Be Bar Dancer Sues Tavern

A woman who fell and crushed her ankle while attempting to dance on top of the bar at an Illinois tavern has sued the establishment for damages. Amy Mueller, a patron in her twenties, has sued Samy’s Bar and Grill, in Joliet, over the May 19, 2006 incident, contending that…

Jul 23, 2007 6:03 PM CDT

Parents Convicted for Son’s Party

A suburban Chicago couple has been convicted for allowing an underage drinking party in their home that had deadly consequences. Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell were convicted yesterday of child endangerment and obstruction of justice, the Chicago Tribune reports. Prosecutors had contended the Hutsells were aware their son was hosting the…

Jul 23, 2007 3:46 AM CDT

Parents on Trial for ‘Quiet Gathering’

Officials describe a bacchanalian scene: a basement that smelled of alcohol and was littered with beer cans as teens played beer pong on the family ping-pong table. But Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell say they were shocked to find out, after teens who had been at the party in their suburban…

Jul 18, 2007 5:46 PM CDT