iPhone on

Are App Based Car Services Safe?

If you live in Chicago and use taxis there is a good chance you have heard about Uber, Side Car and Lift. If you think that these car services are a good deal and cheaper than a cab, you may want to think again! The price may be right but the real problem is the […]

Happy dogs playing in water

Dog Days of Summer Responsible Dog Owner

You have probably seen the Montrose Dog Beach on Lake Michigan where canines and their human companions can romp in the sand and splash in the water. This is just one of more than a dozen dog parks in Chicago where dogs are allowed to be off –leash. Many of these sites have doggie drinking […]

Girl biking and texting

No Texting for Bicyclists

While there are a few hardy souls who bike to work all winter long, spring weather brings out many more bicyclists riding along the lake front as well as in designated bike lanes on many of Chicago’s streets. Cyclists who use these lanes often tell tales of errant car divers who have failed to obey […]

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

Law Abiding Immigrants

The City of Chicago Safe Families Ordinance prohibits police and other law enforcement officials from detaining undocumented immigrants unless they are wanted on a criminal warrant or have been convicted of a serious crime. The ordinance is important given the rising gun violence in Chicago. Law enforcement must have the trust and cooperation of all […]

Chicago train

Investigation Shows New Chicago Transportation Authority Cars Defective

Last year the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) introduced a shiny, brand new fleet of trains for the “L” track. This was the first time, in a number of decades, that the CTA had upgraded Chicago’s public transportation system and for many Chicagoans, the new cars were a welcome relief from the creaky, old trains they […]

Downtown Chicago on cloudy day

Illinois Court Holds Lawsuit Against City of Chicago Can Move Forward

Is the City of Chicago liable for every accident that occurs when a pedestrian trips and falls on a public sidewalk? Of course not. But under certain circumstances, the City can be held liable. The Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, considered just such a scenario in Waters v. City of Chicago, (No. 1–10–0759). In […]

Stressed doctor holding chart

Illinois Court on Proving Liability for Medical Malpractice

Oftentimes, physicians are employed by more than one medical institution. This can make it difficult establish liability for negligent treatment in medical malpractice cases, since it is sometimes difficult to prove which hospitals employed a physician for the purposes of the negligent conduct at issue. This was the very issue presented in Turner v. U.S., […]

Red traffic light

New Illinois Law Permits Some Motorcyclists and Bicyclists to Run Red Lights

Last month we reported on a number of new Illinois laws going into effect. Another interesting new law of note is one that, in certain situations, allows motorcycles and bicycles to run red lights. The law provides that some motorcyclists and bicyclists can, after a reasonable amount of time, proceed through a red light. Although […]

Bicyclists on the road with vehicles

U.S. Car Accident Map and Chicago Bicycle Accident Map

According to the Guardian UK Datablog, there were 369,269 deaths on U.S. roadways between 2001 and 2009. The accidents that caused these deaths involved cars, trucks, cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. It’s such a large figure that it’s difficult to wrap your mind around it. Although these tragic losses are nearly incomprehensible, the Datablog offers an […]

Speed camera

Chicago to install speeding cameras

Last week, we discussed the safety issues presented when municipalities outsource the maintenance of red light cameras and in the past, we’ve discussed the continuing debate about the efficacy of red light cameras. Now, in Chicago, there are concerns regarding the new proposal to install speed cameras at Chicago intersections located near schools and city […]