Taser Abuse Case Settled in Union County
A lawsuit was settled involving allegations that a deputy with the Union County Sheriff’s Office unlawfully used a taser on a homeless individual experiencing a mental health crisis.
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2025 Super Lawyers List
Jeff was selected for the 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers list, marking the fifth time he has received this recognition.
Ex-Manager Files Lawsuit Against Chicago Strip Club for Retaliation After Reporting Sexual Harassment
A former manager at Rick’s Cabaret, a prominent Chicago strip club, has filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination after reporting sexual harassment.
Illinois Civil Rights Law Applies Retroactively, Restoring Remedies in Title IX Cases, Court Decides
A federal court’s landmark decision applied the Illinois Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act retroactively to restore remedies in an ongoing Title IX civil rights lawsuit.
Court Orders Jury Trial in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against American Greetings Corporation
American Greetings, a leading manufacturer of greeting cards, will face a jury trial to decide its responsibility for subjecting a female employee to sexual harassment by a Jewel-Osco manager.
Mayor Found Liable for Defamation Against Police Union President
Former Village of North Riverside Mayor Ken Krochmal was found guilty of defaming the president of the police union during the 2013 election.
VanderCook College of Music to Stand Trial for the Alleged Failure to Protect a Female Student From On-Campus Sexual Harassment
A federal court decided that a trial by jury will determine whether a female college student suffered a hostile environment on campus after reporting a sexual assault to school administrators in violation Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of…
Thank You Sergeant Dawn Geraty
The Village of Antioch Police Department refused to promote Dawn Geraty to Sergeant because she was a woman. Eight years later, she made history.
Federal Court Orders Jury Trial to Determine Whether A City Retaliated Against One of Its Own Supervisors
After reviewing the evidence, the court determined there is enough evidence to support Lucinda Parson’s retaliation claim. Jurors will now determine if the City did, in fact, unlawfully retaliate by suspending her without pay.
Chicago Employment Lawyer Jeffrey Kulwin Interviewed About New Laws in Illinois
Chicago employment lawyer Jeffrey Kulwin discusses new laws for 2023 will help Illinois employees and their families.
City Fails to Dismiss General Contractor’s Lawsuit Alleging Forged Easement and Political Retaliation
The City of Danville faces allegations that top officials retaliated against a general contractor for backing the Mayor’s political opponents.
Whistleblower Lawsuit Alleges Unlawful Termination After Reporting LEADS and FMLA Violations
Whistleblower lawsuit alleges the Village of Lynwood fired an employee for reporting suspected legal violations by top village officials to the government.
Jeff on WGN Radio 720’s “Let’s Get Legal” Program
Jeff has appeared on WGN Radio 720’s Let’s Get Legal radio program on several occasions to discuss employment law and other legal issues in the news.
Court Rules Calumet City FOIA Officer Not a Policymaking Position
A federal court has ruled that a former Calumet City employee stated a claim for relief based on allegations that she was not re-appointed to work as a Freedom of Information Act Officer because of her political affiliation with the…
Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Fraud Judgment
The Illinois Appellate Court unanimously affirmed the jury verdict and fraud judgment awarded to a computer software engineer who claimed his partner tricked him into closing their proprietary trading company to take all of the profits for himself.
Let’s Answer Employment Law Questions for Labor Day!
Jeff appeared on WGN Radio 720’s Let’s Get Legal show to answer listener questions about employment law on Labor Day weekend.
Former City Supervisor Files Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination and Retaliation
The City of Danville discriminated and retaliated against a former supervisor, according to a new civil rights lawsuit.
Village Accused of Defying Court Order to Retaliate Against Retired Police Officer
The Village of North Riverside is retaliating against Detective Sergeant Frank Schmalz for filing a civil rights lawsuit by refusing to follow a court order directing the Village to pay his line-of-duty disability pension benefits, according to allegations in a…
Railroad Employee Wins Right to Trial for Invasion of Privacy Over Drug Testing
Federal judge rules railroad-employer must face trial on invasion of privacy claims.
Know Your Rights: The Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a law that provides legal protection to those who may require additional time off from their workplace due to medical reasons or family needs.
Privacy Class Action Lawsuit Filed For Illegal Surveillance By Police Department
Class action lawsuit alleges the Village of Antioch Police Department illegally surveilled and recorded thousands of private, non-emergency calls of citizens.
Good News for Chicago Employees: The Fair Workweek Ordinance
Chicago employees who face unpredictable work shifts finally get a break: the Fair Workweek” ordinance takes full effect for 2021.
UPDATE: FFCRA Extended to Help Workers Stay Safe
Congress extends paid leave options under Families First Coronavirus Relief Act if employers choose to allow it.
Sarah Bush Lincoln Sued for LGBTQ Discrimination, Retaliation
A Charleston nursing student was terminated for reporting he was being harassed at work based on his sexual orientation, according to a new federal lawsuit.
Tech Safety App: Help for Harassment Victims
The Tech Safety App can help identify technology-facilitated harassment, stalking or abuse.
50 Types of Employment Discrimination
Here is an important list for employees and employers: 50 (!) common types of unlawful employment discrimination.
Employees Definitely Worry About Returning to the Office
It can be difficult to discuss personal medical concerns at work. Here is an interesting article for employees who are worried about COVID and going back to the office.
Lawyers Don’t Like COVID Waivers
When lawyers who typically represent employers write an article to discourage the use of COVID-19 waivers, it is probably worth reading.
Fraud, Breach of Contract Jury Verdict Nets Top 50 Award for 2019
A Cook County jury’s $2.5 million verdict in a partnership dispute was one of the top 50 verdicts in Illinois in 2019.
Village, Mayor and Police Chief to Face Trial For Political Retaliation, Defamation
The Village of North Riverside, the former mayor and former police chief will face trial on claims they violated Sergeant Frank Schmalz’s First Amendment rights, a federal judge ruled.
FFCRA Helps Workers Stay Safe
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides 2 weeks of paid leave to eligible employees who need leave because they have been advised by a health care provider to stay home or self-quarantine due to concerns related to coronavirus.
Court Advances Sex Harassment Claims Against Manager Who Worked for a Different Employer
A female employee who alleged she was sexually harassed by a store manger who worked for a different employer can proceed with sex discrimination claims against her employer, and the store manager’s employer, a judge ruled.
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System Accused of LGBTQ Discrimination, Retaliation
A new Charge of Discrimination alleges that Ethan Richardson was terminated by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System for reporting he was being harassed by coworkers because he is gay.
Nursing Home Sued for Retaliation, Wrongful Termination
A Chicago nursing home fired a nurse supervisor for whistleblowing about COVID-19 safety issues, according to a lawsuit filed today.
Know Your Rights: Disability Discrimination
What is employment discrimination based on disability? Generally, disability discrimination occurs when an employer treats an individual with a disability unfavorably because the individual has a disability.
Court Denies College’s Motion to Toss Student’s Title IX Sex Discrimination Claim
A federal court advanced a female student’s Title IX lawsuit alleging she was mistreated after she reported a sexual assault to college officials.
City Assistant Alleges Race Discrimination, Retaliation
The City of Danville’s only Black administrative assistant filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging she was the victim of race discrimination and retaliation.
Illinois State Police, Tollway Sued for Retaliation
Four state employees filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging that Command staff officers for the Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway retaliated against veteran employees for speaking out about corruption.
Know Your Rights: Whistleblowers
What is a whistleblower? Generally, a whistleblower is someone who discloses information the person believes shows illegal, unethical or harmful conduct.
Prosecutor Alleges Harassment by Female Supervisor
A State’s Attorney alleged he was sexually harassed by his supervisor when they worked in the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Class Action Lawsuit for Privacy Invasions, Sexual Harassment
Female workers file class action lawsuit for invasion of privacy, negligence and sexual harassment after finding hidden camera in Clinic bathroom.
Know Your Rights: Age Discrimination
What is age discrimination? Age discrimination involves treating employees over 40 years of age unfavorably because of their age.
Top 20 Award for 2018: Invasion of Privacy, Negligent Supervision Jury Verdict
A Cook County jury’s $10 million-dollar invasion of privacy, negligence award for seven women who worked at a hospital was one of the top 20 verdicts in Illinois in 2018.
Know Your Rights: Retaliation
What is illegal retaliation? Retaliation involves mistreatment for asserting rights the law protects.
Jury Awards $2.5 Million for Fraud, Breach of Contract
Jury awards $2.5 million to a computer software engineer who claimed his former business partner defrauded him and stole the business.
Know Your Rights: Sex Discrimination
What is sex discrimination? Sex discrimination involves treating someone unfavorably because of their sex. The law prohibits sex discrimination in employment.
Jury Awards $10 Million to Employees for Privacy Invasions, Physical Attack
Seven hospital employees were awarded over $10 million for invasion of privacy and negligent supervision claims.
Court Vacates Officer’s Termination
Police officer’s termination vacated by federal judge.
Court Orders City to Promote Police Officer Denied Jobs Because She is a Woman
A federal court ordered the Village of Antioch to promote Dawn Geraty to Sergeant five months after she won her sex discrimination lawsuit.
Know Your Rights: Defamation
What is defamation? Defamation is the act of making false statements that harm a party’s reputation.
Female Police Officer Wins Sex Discrimination Trial
The Village of Antioch twice refused to promote one of its most senior police officers because she was a woman, according to a federal jury.
Know Your Rights: Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired for reasons prohibited by law, such as discrimination or breach of contract. This post will provide information about wrongful termination in order to help employers and employees take action and help manage…
Gulf War Vet, Detective Sues for Disability Discrimination
A detective alleged the Cook County Sheriff’s Office violated disability discrimination laws by refusing to accommodate the health condition he developed during his military service in the Gulf War.
Contractor Faces Trial on Whistleblower’s Fraud Claims
A whistleblower’s claim that a large Chicago contractor over-billed the government on affordable housing construction projects will be decided by a jury, a federal court ruled.
Construction Manager Wins Defamation, Breach of Employment Contract Trial
A construction manager who was wrongfully fired and falsely accused of taking bribes was awarded $3.2 million in damages by a jury.