Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M

LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M

L.A. Tan has settled a class action lawsuit in which plaintiffs alleged the company stored customers’ fingerprint data in violation of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, or BIPA. Whether this settlement opens the gates to a flood of BIPA litigation remains to be seen.

By Amy Korte

Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November

Illinois companies announce 650 mass layoffs in November

Employers in the Land of Lincoln announced 650 mass layoffs in November, according to the November edition of the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, report. This report marks the first time since July 2015 that there wasn’t single mass-layoff announcement in the manufacturing sector. The types of jobs lost were spread across...

By Brendan Bakala

After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules

After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules

In her Dec. 5 ruling, a Cook County Circuit Court judge said Chicago’s oppressive food truck regulations serve legitimate city interests. But evidence shows the only interests the rules protect are those of politically connected restaurant owners and politicians.

Judge upholds onerous Chicago food truck rules

Judge upholds onerous Chicago food truck rules

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Anna Helen Demacopoulos squelched a ray of hope for Chicago food trucks Dec. 5 as the court upheld two of the city’s most oppressive regulations. In recent weeks, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been coming after these small-business owners. But they’ve faced the city’s wrath for years, even after City Council...

By Hilary Gowins

Jason B.

Jason B.

“I was homeless before I got this job. I sat right out here for years with a sign that said ‘Please help.’ Every day, for years, even with eight feet of snow out here. Every day. People look at me a lot different now. They were seeing me sitting on the ground, now they see...