news Archives - Liberty Justice Center

A Public Funding Ban for Private Colleges ‘Born in Bigotry’? – Inside Higher Ed

South Carolina private colleges are challenging a state constitutional amendment prohibiting public funding for religious or other private educational institutions.

Federal lawsuit seeks to remove Blaine Amendment from South Carolina Constitution – The Center Square

The lawsuit argues the amendment discriminates against Black residents and Catholics by withholding education funding from nonpublic schools in South Carolina.

Lawsuit filed to remove post-Civil War amendment from SC’s constitution – NBC 2 Charleston

A federal lawsuit has been filed to remove what religious schools and independent colleges say is a racist and bigoted amendment from the state’s constitution.

Groups file federal lawsuit asking that amendment ‘born in bigotry and prejudice’ be stricken from SC constitution – FOX Carolina

The lawsuit claims the amendment discriminates against African Americans and religious groups by "unfairly withholding education funding for independent schools in the state."

Catholic church, private schools sue to change SC Constitution over COVID relief funds – The State

Announced Wednesday, the federal civil rights lawsuit argues Article XI, Section 4 of the South Carolina Constitution should be removed because the law itself was “born of bigotry and prejudice, based on race and religion.”

Federal lawsuit challenges portion of SC Constitution that bars private schools from public money – Greenville News

A group of private school organizations are filing a federal lawsuit challenging a portion of South Carolina's state Constitution that says public funds cannot be used directly for private or religious entities.

Gig Labor’s Brazen Defiance of the Janus Ruling – National Review

Who knew their constitutional rights were applicable for less than a fortnight?

Teachers unions wield ‘gross imbalance of power’ in school reopening debate, say critics – Washington Examiner

President Joe Biden wants schools to reopen. So do parents, students, and thousands of teachers. So, what's the holdup? Powerful teachers unions, critics claim.

Three things every private school parent needs to know about the latest stimulus package

While the most recent federal COVID relief package, dubbed, the American Rescue Plan has been mired in controversy about whether the government should be adding to the federal deficit, it did provide a silver lining: support for thousands of private schools and the millions of...

Leftovers and loose change – Illinois Times

Mautino broke the law no matter what, according to David Cook, a Streator man who is suing the election board and the auditor general's defunct campaign committee.

What do horses have to do with COVID-19 relief? – LJC Blog

Horses have nothing to do with COVID-19... and yet they have everything to do with how both the government and unelected insiders have used the pandemic to increase their power.

Op-Ed: Why Is Legality Considered Optional? – Thoroughbred Daily News

To Mr. Finley, it doesn't matter if this legislation, ramrodded through to passage with no Senate Committee discussion or debate as a little-known add-on to December's COVID relief bill, is legal or not. Who cares about the law's legality? he asks. The National HBPA cares.

Horsemen’s group tries to head off horse racing reform – Las Vegas Review-Journal

The creation of the first federal regulatory body for horse racing hit a not unexpected speed bump this week when a national horseman’s group filed a lawsuit arguing the new law is unconstitutional.

Horsemen File Suit Seeking to Stop Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act – Casino.org

When the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was making its way through Congress, a salient talking point was that it had the support of key stakeholders within the racing community. On Monday, thoroughbred owners and trainers filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to stop...

NHBPA, State Horsemen’s Groups File Suit To Halt HISA – Paulick Report

The crux of the suit is that plaintiffs believe HISA delegates legislative authority to a private organization and private individuals in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

National Thoroughbred horsemen’s group files suit against Horse Racing Integrity Act – Northern Kentucky Tribune

"We must do our due diligence to make sure that such a complete restructuring of our industry is not only in its best interests but also is constitutional."

National HBPA and 11 affiliates file lawsuit challenging horse-racing oversight board – DRF

The lawsuit, filed by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and 11 of its local affiliates, is the first serious legal challenge to be mounted against the oversight board, which is being called the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).

Donor disclosure laws codify ‘cancel culture’ – LJC Blog

In many states, making a donation has a hidden price tag – your privacy, job and safety. Across the nation, public support for candidates and causes has resulted in lost jobs and contracts, ruined reputations and even death threats. In a culture that’s willing...

Liberty Justice Center and Principal Barton Thorne on Tucker Carlson Tonight

Principal Thorne’s experience illustrates the dangers of cancel culture. Thorne warned his students that anyone’s voice can be cancelled for any reason by a small group of people. And Shelby County Schools silenced him for that.

Liberty Justice Center discusses Principal Barton Thorne on Glenn Beck

5 Things to Know About Principal Barton Thorne and His Case Against Shelby County Schools

Even in Tennessee, Educators Who Don’t Toe the Leftist Line Can Be Punished

Principal Thorne has filed suit in federal court against the school district, arguing that it has violated his rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as the contract between himself and the district.

High school principal Barton Thorne reinstated following civil rights lawsuit – ABC 4 News

The Cordova High School principal placed on administrative leave after a controversial video is now suing Shelby County Schools, accusing the district of violating his First Amendment and contractual rights.

Suspended Cordova High School principal is now suing Shelby County Schools over controversial “free speech” video – ABC Local 24

Memphis high school principal sues after being suspended for talking to students about free speech, tolerance – WNWS 101.5 FM

A Memphis-area high school principal is suing his school district after he was placed on administrative leave for speaking with his students about the importance of free speech. The principal has retained legal counsel from the Liberty Justice Center, a national public interest law firm...

Lawsuit filed against SCS after principal placed on leave, violates free speech – WMC Action News 5

The principal of Cordova High School is suing Shelby County Schools. Attorneys for Principal Barton Thorne claim his right to free speech was violated after he tried teaching a lesson to his students about free speech.

Suspended Cordova High School principal files lawsuit against district – News Channel 3 Memphis

A Shelby County School principal is suing the district after his suspension last month. Barton Thorne of Cordova High School was placed on paid administrative leave after comments he made over the district’s virtual learning platform.

Tennessee principal sues Shelby County Schools for violating First Amendment rights

Principal Thorne’s attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit against the district for violating his First Amendment and contractual rights for placing him on administrative leave for discussing current events and free speech with students.

Parents shouldn’t have to do this – LJC Blog

It should never have come to this. Parents shouldn’t have to threaten to sue the teachers union at their school for holding their children’s education hostage.

Remote learning failed my third-grader miserably. I pulled her out of public school. – USA Today

Parents of students in Virginia’s largest school district are working to ensure that teachers union leaders do not repeat an illegal work stoppage that took place in late October.

Liberty Justice Center President Pat Hughes appears on Fox News to talk Chicago Public Schools

Liberty Justice Center is representing Chicago area parents as they navigate the battle for in-person education, while the Chicago Teachers Union continues to keep schools closed.

TN Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal of governor’s school voucher program – News4 Nashville

The Tennessee Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal on the constitutionality of Gov. Bill Lee’s Education Savings Account pilot program to provide low-income students in Nashville and Memphis with a $7,000 scholarship to attend the school of their choice.

Tennessee Supreme Court agrees to hear school voucher case – ABC 9

"The plaintiffs are trying to have their cake and eat it, too, because on one hand they argue about how the how the Home Rule amendment affects the counties, and then on the other hand the argument about how it affects the school districts," Kelsey said. "Respectfully,...

Tennessee Supreme Court to take up appeal of Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher program – Tennessean

Chicago parents set to sue if teachers strike – Fox News

Liberty Justice Center is representing Chicago area parents as they navigate the battle for in-person education, while the Chicago Teachers Union continues to keep schools closed.

9 CPS families say they will sue Chicago Teachers Union if they strike – WBBM NewsRadio

The Liberty Justice Center said it will sue the Chicago Teachers Union on behalf of nine Chicago Public Schools families if members of the CTU go on strike.

Chicago teachers strike looms, parents may sue – Fox & Friends

LJC's Daniel Suhr appeared on Fox & Friends to discuss Chicago parents' battle for in-person education while the Chicago Teachers Union continues to keep schools closed.

Chicago parents promise to sue teacher’s union if members strike – Fox & Friends

Chicago parents upset over the impasse between school district officials and the teacher’s union said they are prepared to sue in order to force educators to return to their classrooms.

Chicago parents represented by Liberty Justice Center – Fox News

Liberty Justice Center is representing Chicago area parents as they navigate the battle for in-person education, while the Chicago Teachers Union continues to keep schools closed.

Teachers unions want schools closed. Parents need their power back. – Liberty Justice Center

Suing teachers unions is the only way to empower parents, protect kids.

A CTU strike would be wrong – and likely illegal – Chicago Tribune

Liberty Justice Center is representing Chicago area parents as they navigate the battle for in-person education, while the Chicago Teachers Union continues to keep schools closed.

School choice lawsuit surge pushes possible high court fight – ABC News / Associated Press

A group of Vermont parents are suing the state and local school districts over unequal access to education under the state’s 150-year-old Town Tuitioning system. The parents say the program violates the state constitution by allowing children residing in certain school districts to attend the...

Donor privacy is not just a “rich person’s problem” – Liberty Justice Center

Donor privacy is a free speech issue for everyday Americans – and it matters as much as it did during the civil rights movement. Today’s cancel culture has shown that no one’s education, job, or platform is safe from being canceled if they have said,...

Parents’ suit challenges Vt. school tuition system – Bennington Banner

Tuition lawsuit filed against BFUHS, WNESU and state – Brattleboro Reformer

‘Kids are not pawns’: Fairfax Co. parents angry about organized teacher mental health day – ABC7 WJLA

Parents of students in Virginia’s largest school district are working to ensure that teachers union leaders do not repeat an illegal work stoppage that took place in late October.

Lawsuit challenges university’s authority to track students through data collection – The College Fix

In the lawsuit Gutterman v. Indiana University, four undergraduate Indiana University Bloomington students are suing the university and its President Michael McRobbie over privacy violations and breach of contract. This article written by Laura Williamson appeared on December 8, 2020 on The College Fix. ...

Parents push back against OEA – Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Several months ago, the Oklahoma State Board of Education rejected the Lindsey Nicole Henry (LNH) applications of two schools, Altus Christian Academy and Christian Heritage Academy, on the basis of their religious affiliation. Attorneys from the Liberty Justice Center immediately swung into action, working behind...

Attorney General: Oklahoma Department of Education acted illegally – Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Commentary: Pritzker, Lightfoot show Illinois style of hypocrisy with COVID-19 restrictions – Chicago Tribune

“This case and increasingly other cases are showing courts’ willingness to question executive claims of authority during this pandemic,” said Daniel Suhr, a Wisconsin-based attorney for the Liberty Justice Center, a libertarian-leaning public-interest law firm.

Appeals court hears media access case against Evers – Wisconsin Public Radio

In MacIver Institute v. Evers, the Liberty Justice Center represents journalist Bill Osmulski and the John K. MacIver Institute. Osmulski was unconstitutionally excluded from the Governor of Wisconsin’s press conferences, media alerts and public events. The following article by Shamane Mills appeared on Wisconsin Public...

Wisconsin Think Tank Fights Press Blacklisting at Seventh Circuit – Courthouse News

Justice Ginsburg and the value of anonymity – The Wall Street Journal

South Carolina Supreme Court set to hear arguments on constitutionality of SAFE grants program – The Center Square

The battle over grants that would help pay for private school tuition across the state might be heading to the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Judge Urged to Keep Montana Political Spending Rule – Beaumont Enterprise

The lawsuit announced Wednesday asks a federal judge to strike down Montana’s nearly year-old policy that requires certain businesses seeking contracts with the state to disclose donors and spending on elections.

Ill. Republicans Urge 7th Circ. to Revive Bid for Large Groups – Law 360

Daniel Suhr of the Liberty Justice Center argued the party should receive the same exemption as religious groups because both religious and political speech rights "live at the heart of the First Amendment." But Judge Barrett pushed back on that stance, saying the amendment itself...

Cook County GOP Sues to Block State’s Enhanced Vote-By-Mail Efforts – The Chicago Tribune

The suit alleges that while "voting is a fundamental, constitutional right that is central to our democracy," Pritzker "violated this right by signing into law a partisan voting scheme that is designed to harvest Democratic ballots, dilute Republican ballots, and, if the election still doesn’t...

Lawsuit: Illinois Expanded Mail Voting is Partisan Scheme – AP News

"More than any other state in the nation, Illinois has a track record of both corruption and incompetence – and its residents have no reason to believe that the government can conduct an honest and accurate vote-by-mail in the upcoming election," Sean Morrison, chairman of...

Fight Over Private School Grants Could Be Heading to the SC Supreme Court – WISTV

The battle over grants that would help pay for private school tuition across the state might be heading to the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Nashville Attorney: ‘ESA Students Check Out, But They Never Leave’ – Daily Memphian

“The ESA program is urgently needed to help low-income Tennessee students escape failing schools and access better education opportunities. We are hopeful that the court will side with parents and school leaders..."

Familiar Arguments as Tennessee Judges Hear Appeal Over Block to Lee’s School Voucher Program in Ongoing Case – Tennessean

UPDATE: Illinois Governor Backs Down, Reinstates Chicago Radio Host Previously Banned From COVID Briefings – Townhall

Veteran Chicago journalist Amy Jacobson and the news station she reports for, Salem Media, filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker after he announced Jacobson was no longer allowed at his media briefings. The lawsuit, Salem Media of Illinois, LLC v. Pritzker, was...

Illinois GOP Sues Gov. Pritzker Over Ban on Large Gatherings – WTTW News

Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker challenges Illinois Gov. J.B. Prtizker’s ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The lawsuit highlights the arbitrary nature of the Executive Order as some groups can gather while other groups face restrictions. The lawsuit petitions the court to allow...

Daniel Suhr Discusses Illinois Republicans Suing Gov. Pritzker Over Gathering Ban on WGN – WGN

The Illinois Republican Party and three local party committees sued Gov. Pritzker over his executive order banning group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Gov. Pritkzer has allowed groups he favors to gather and protest without consequence, other political activities are halted. Daniel Suhr, senior...

GOP Sues Pritzker Seeking Exemption From 10-Person Limit – AP News

Illinois Republican Party Sues Dem Governor Pritzker Over Right to Assemble During Coronavirus Lockdowns – Fox News

State GOP: Ban On Political Gatherings Violates Free Speech – Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Illinois GOP Sue Over State’s Ten-Person Gathering Cap – Bloomberg Law

Calling Gov. J.B. Pritzker an ‘Unaccountable King,’ Illinois GOP Sues Over 10-Person Gathering Limit – The Chicago Tribune

Illinois Republican Party Sues Pritzker Over Right For Political Groups to Assemble During Pandemic – Chicago Sun Times

U.S. Supreme Court Schedules Conference in Followup to Landmark Janus Case – The Center Square

In a major victory for First Amendment rights, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 27, 2018 in Janus v. AFSCME that non-union government workers cannot be required to pay union fees as a condition of working in public service. This landmark case restores the First...

Feder: WIND’s Amy Jacobson Suing Pritzker Over Ban From Media Briefings – Daily Herald

It’s On: Salem Sues Pritzker For Banning Radio Host That Broke Story On Pritzker Family’s Travels – Hot Air

‘Principle of It’: Mark Janus Fights to Get Union Dues Back After Supreme Court Win – The Washington Times

The excerpt below is from an article by James Varney that appeared May 31, 2020, on The Washington Times. The 2018 ruling known simply as Janus freed nonunion public employees from being forced to pay union dues, which the unions called “fees.” Mr. Janus...

Reporter Sues Pritzker in Federal Court to Gain Access to News Briefings – The Center Square

Salem Media Files Lawsuit Against Illinois Governor for Barring Radio Host from COVID Press Briefings – Townhall

'"I think they'd been looking for an excuse to get rid of me...All I want is to get back back in that press room. I've been asking questions in this town since 1996,' she says."

South Suburban College Public Safety Workers Who Opted Out of Union Sue for Past Dues, Right to Bargain Independently – The Chicago Tribune

In Presta v. Cook County Community College Teachers Union the Liberty Justice Center represents five South Suburban College public safety officers. The officers filed a federal lawsuit after the college and their union refused to stop deducting money from their paychecks for union dues. The...

Tennessee Asks State Supreme Court to Take Over School Voucher Case in Race to Launch this Year – Chalkbeat

In Government of Nashville v. Tennessee Department of Education, the Liberty Justice Center represents the two school leaders and three families who would qualify to participate in the Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program for the 2020-2021 school year. The ESA Pilot Program provides scholarships...

Tennessee Voucher Program Continues to be Blocked – Associated Press

Wisconsin Governor Urges Social Distancing After Court Blocks Statewide Lockdown – The Wall Street Journal

Public Employees Sue Unions for $19 Million in Post-Janus Case – The Center Square

The federal class-action lawsuit, Brown v. AFSCME Council 5, seeks to recover fees paid by 8,000 Minnesota state and local workers to the union prior to the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandatory fees to the union were unconstitutional. The federal class-action lawsuit, Fellows...

Two New Class Action Lawsuits in Minnesota Seek Nearly $19 Million in Returned Union Fees – NRTW

MINNEAPOLIS (May 11, 2020) – Today, six Minnesota state employees sued two of the state’s largest government unions for an estimated recovery of $19 million in union fees paid by state and local employees. The two class action lawsuits claim that because the U.S. Supreme...

Court Rules in Favor of Law Firm Challenging Cuomo’s Executive Order Withholding Public Employee Information – The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A public interest law firm linked to the high-profile Janus v. ASCME case received another recent favorable ruling in a lawsuit concerning the accessibility of public employee information in New York. In November, the Liberty Justice Center filed the lawsuit, Suhr v....

In Reversal, Lee Says State No Longer Implementing Vouchers – WVLT

Defendants who have intervened in the lawsuits include voucher advocates, such as the Liberty Justice Center, the Institute for Justice and the Beacon Center of Tennessee – who also are representing parents in favor of the ESA program. All parties involved in the legal battle...

Judge Strikes Down School Voucher Law, Declaring it Unconstitutional – WMC

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A judge delivered a major blow to Tennessee’s school voucher law, declaring it unconstitutional. Opponents of the law hailed the ruling as a major victory, while supporters vowed to continue fighting for it. The Education Savings Account Act (ESA), which was...

Judge Strikes Down School Voucher Law, Declaring It Unconstitutional – WMC

Nonprofit Appealing Judge’s Ruling that Tennessee’s Voucher Law is Unconstitutional – Fox

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A nonprofit is appealing a judges ruling that Tennessee’s school voucher law is unconstitutional. Davidson County Chancellor Anne C. Martin struck down state’s private school voucher law, known as the Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program, Monday night, citing it violates...

Nonprofit Appealing Judge’s Ruling that Tennessee’s Voucher Law is Unconstitutional – Fox

Tennessee Voucher Program Arguments Weighed by Judge – Antelope Valley Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee judge on Wednesday weighed a wide range of arguments surrounding the legal battle over the state’s much-debated school voucher program, noting that she plans on making a decision soon to ensure parents have enough time to plan ahead for the...

Cities, State Dig In Over Vouchers – Nashville Post

Shelby and Davidson counties’ effort to overturn Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account program continued Wednesday as a Nashville judge considered various requests to rule or dismiss the lawsuit. Under the law passed last year by the Republican-led House and Senate, qualifying students in Nashville...

Non-Union Pa. State Government Worker Files Class-Action Lawsuit Demanding Refund of Union Fees – Penn Live

A state Department of Human Services income maintenance supervisor filed a federal class action lawsuit against a large state government employee union seeking to reclaim the union fees she and more than 2,000 other non-union commonwealth social service employees were forced to pay.

Teacher Sues Waukegan District 60, Teachers Union, Argues She Wasn’t Informed of First Amendment Rights Under Janus – The Chicago Tribune

The legal clinic behind the Supreme Court case that found the requirement that public employees pay “fair share” union dues violated their First Amendment speech rights, has filed another lawsuit on behalf of a Waukegan District 60 teacher. The lawsuit, filed by Liberty Justice Center...

Another Union Lawsuit Filed in Illinois over First, Fourteenth Amendments, Janus – The Center Square

(The Center Square) – An Illinois teacher is filing suit against a school district and union claiming her rights are being violated under the provisions of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 landmark ruling in Janus v AFSCME. Ariadna Ramon Baro, a visiting teacher at Waukegan High School...

Federal Judge Strikes Down New Jersey Donor Disclosure Law – Ballotpedia

On March 11, Judge Brian R. Martinotti, of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, signed orders permanently barring New Jersey from enforcing a state law requiring select nonprofits to disclose identifying information about their donors. Multiple organizations challenged the law...

Alaska Workers Sue State, Union Over Alleged Janus Violation – The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Two state employees filed a federal lawsuit against the Alaska State Employees Association/AFSCME Local 52 and Kelly Tshibaka, in her official capacity as Commissioner of Administration for the state of Alaska, alleging they violated the provisions established by the Supreme Court Janus...

After Janus Ruling, Worker Asks Supreme Court for Return of Paid Union Dues – Washington Times

The Supreme Court’s 2018 Janus decision was a landmark in labor law, but now the namesake in the case would like the justices to go further. The high court ruled in Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees that public-sector employees cannot...

State Workers Sue Union over Forced Union Dues – Must Read Alaska

Two Alaska state employees filed a lawsuit against the State of Alaska and the Alaska State Employees Association today for forcing them to pay union dues against their will. According to the Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court ruling, union dues cannot be deducted from state employees’ paychecks...

Wednesday Round-Up – SCOTUSblog

At The Hill (via How Appealing), Harper Neidig reports that Mark Janus, “[a]n anti-union advocate who won a landmark Supreme Court case two years ago[,] is now asking the court to order a public sector labor group to pay back the union dues that it...

Janus, Whose Case Ended Mandatory Union Fees, Wants Supreme Court’s Help Getting Money Back – Fox News

The plaintiff whose 2018 case led to a Supreme Court ruling that mandatory public union agency fees for nonmembers were unconstitutional is now asking the high court to force the union that represented him to return a portion of the money it collected before that decision. In this...

Union Foe Janus Wants High Court Return in Fee Dispute – Law 360

The ex-Illinois state worker who persuaded the U.S. Supreme Court to let public-sector workers refuse to fund their unions urged the high court Monday to review a ruling that his union doesn’t have to return the possibly millions of dollars in fees it collected over...

Janus Wants Round Two at the Supreme Court on Union Fees – Bloomberg Law

High court forbid mandatory fees in 2018 Unions have thus far won in fee refund cases A former Illinois government worker asked the U.S. Supreme Court to force a union to refund the money he paid in mandatory fees prior to the high court’s...

Judge Pledges To Move Swiftly On TN Education Voucher Lawsuit – Patch

A Nashville judge promised Friday to move expeditiously in the widening court battle over Tennessee’s new education savings account law as the state works to launch the program for the upcoming school year. Chancellor Anne C. Martin also indicated that she likely will allow three...

Judge: School Choice Advocates Can Intervene in Voucher Case – WVLT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge on Friday agreed to allow school choice advocates to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the legality of the state’s school voucher program. That means the Liberty Justice Center, the Institute for Justice and the Beacon Center of Tennessee...

Commentary: While Missouri Seeks to Free Public Employees, Illinois Traps Them with Pro-Union Law – The Chicago Tribune

What’s the best way to protect government workers? Don’t ask Illinois. Late last year, the Land of Lincoln passed a law that severely limits government workers’ freedom. It restricts their ability to opt out of union membership, despite clear guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court....

Coming for the Lawyers – National Review

(Feb. 20, 2020) Charles Dickens recited a familiar complaint about lawyers in Bleak House when he wrote, “The one great principle of the English law is to make business for itself.”

After Years of Paying Illegal Union Fees, Government Workers Seek Refunds – The Daily Signal

After successfully leading a nationwide charge against government-sanctioned union mandates, Mark Janus could end up back before the Supreme Court. In a continuation of his legal case, the former child support specialist for the Illinois government asked the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to...

Groups Sue Toulouse Oliver Over Donor Disclosure – Santa Fe New Mexican

The Albuquerque-based Rio Grande Foundation and Illinois Opportunity Project argue that a new state law requiring stricter financial disclosure requirements for political issue advertisements is unconstitutional.

Both Sides Brandish First Amendment in Battle over Rhode Island Donor Disclosure Law – Boston Globe

Both sides enlist the First Amendment to make their case. Both sides talk about freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas. But the two sides draw diametrically opposed conclusions.

Lawsuit Seeks Return of ‘Fair-Share’ Fees Paid by Pennsylvania State Workers Who Never Joined Unions – The Center Square

Filed on behalf of Pennsylvania state employees, the federal class-action lawsuit, Schaszberger v. AFSCME Council 13, demands a refund of the nonmember fees employees. These fees were ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME in June 2018. This article first appeared...

Non-Union Pa. State Workers File Class-Action Lawsuit to Recoup Money Paid to AFSCME 13 – Penn Live

Law Firm That Won Janus Case Suing for Access to State Workers’ ZIP Codes – New York Law Journal

The law firm that brought the landmark case Janus v. AFSCME before the U.S. Supreme Court last year sued Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday over an executive order he signed to block union foes from seeking the contact information of state employees.

Union Pressured Inver Hills College Clerk to Join, Lawsuit Says – Star Tribune

Sue Halloran is a community college employee in Minnesota who faced pressure to join AFSCME Council 5 with misleading information about union membership. She has filed a federal lawsuit for this violation of her First Amendment rights with the help of attorneys from the Liberty Justice...

Appeals Court to Decide if Unions Should Refund Illegal Fees – Cook County Record

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled it is unconstitutional to require non-union state workers in Illinois to pay "fair share" fees to a union, but a Chicago federal appeals panel is considering whether a union must refund millions of dollars in fees already collected.

Janus Seeks Refund of Fair Share Fees That Were Declared Illegal – Law 360

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that mandatory government union fees are illegal. Mark Janus is arguing AFSCME should refund the illegal dues he was forced to pay before the decision.

Chicago Overstepping with Streaming Tax, Users Tell Ill. Court – Law 360

(Sept. 19, 2019) The city of Chicago’s amusement tax on streaming services like Netflix is an unconstitutional overreach of its authority, a state appellate panel heard Thursday in a first-of-its-kind test of a city's streaming tax.

Lawsuit – Pennsylvania Workers Forced to Pay Union Dues – CBS Local 21

This article first appeared September 6, 2019 on local21news.com. HARRISBURG, Pa. — A class-action lawsuit filed in Harrisburg federal court is seeking as much as $1 million for Pennsylvania social service employees. The worker at the center of this lawsuit is a York County woman named...

California Workers Have Constitutional Rights – Even If Unions Think They Don’t Matter – The Hill

This article first appeared September 9, 2019 on The Hill. Years ago, when Mike Jackson and Tory Smith started working in the Parking Department at the University of California, San Diego, they assumed they were required to join the public employees’ union. Not that it made...

Federal Lawsuit Claims MD State Workers Were Forced to Pay Union Fees, Demands Refund – Fox 45 News

A Federal lawsuit is seeking a refund of nearly $7 million on behalf of state workers in Maryland who claim they were forced to pay Union fees as a condition of employment.

Washington County Man Lead Plaintiff in Union-Fee Lawsuit Against AFSCME – Herald Mail Media

A Washington County man is leading a class-action lawsuit which aims to return roughly $7 million in union fees Maryland state employees were forced to pay.

Maryland State Employees File Lawsuit Against AFSCME to Recoup Union Fees that Supreme Court Found Illegal – Baltimore Sun

The federal class-action lawsuit, Mattos v. AFSCME Council 3, seeks to recoup “agency” fees paid by Maryland state employees before the US Supreme Court ruled the mandatory fees were unconstitutional. This article originally appeared September 4, 2019, on Baltimore Sun. A group of Maryland state employees has...

Maryland Govt. Workers Sue AFSCME Union, Demand Refunds of Illegally Collected Dues – Washington Times

Nineteen public sector employees in Maryland filed a class action against their labor union this week, demanding a refund for dues they were forced to pay before the Supreme Court outlawed the mandatory fees last year.

Aided by Conservative Legal Groups, State Workers Sue to Recoup Union Dues – Maryland Matters

A group of state government workers on Wednesday sued a public employee union, saying the union improperly collected dues from them even though they never became members.

Maryland State Workers Sue Union, Alleging It Defied Janus Ruling and Coerced Dues – Washington Examiner

19 Maryland state employees have filed a class action suit against their union, AFSCME Council 3, seeking $7 million in dues they claim was illegally taken from them.

Conservative Group Challenging Montana Campaign Order – KULR8 News

LIberty Justice Center is challenging an executive order that requires organizations in Montana that receive large state contracts to report political contributions that exceed $2,500, even if those disclosures aren't required under federal election laws.

Free Market Group Sues Bullock Over ‘Dark Money’ Rule – Montana Public Radio

Group Files Challenge to Bullock’s Executive Order on ‘Dark Money’ and State Contracts – Helena Independent Record

One of the hallmark messages of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Liberty Justice Center this week in U.S. federal court in Helena.

Democrat Governor Excludes Conservative News Service From Media List – The Daily Signal

This article was published by The Daily Signal on Aug. 22, 2019. It discusses the MacIver Institute v. Evers case filed by the Liberty Justice Center on August 6, 2019. When two reporters showed up at the Wisconsin governor’s office in February for a press briefing on...

Wisconsin Governor Sued for Barring Conservative Journalists from Briefing – Fox News

A conservative think tank in Wisconsin is suing the state’s governor, Tony Evers, amid allegations that his administration has denied journalists working for the group’s new service access to a budget press briefing and refused to add its reporters to the governor’s press list.

Conservative MacIver Institute Files Federal Lawsuit against Tony Evers Over Press Access – The Cap Times

This article was written by Briana Reilly and originally appeared in The Cap Times on Aug 7, 2019. The conservative MacIver Institute has filed a lawsuit against Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, alleging his office has excluded the outlet from media events. The suit, filed in federal...

Conservative Group Sues Tony Evers in Federal Court Over Media Access – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

This article was written by Molly Beck and originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Aug 7, 2019. MADISON – A conservative group alleges Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has violated its writers’ rights to free speech and equal access by not notifying them about the...

Conservative Think Tank Sues Wisconsin’s Evers Over Access – AP News

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A conservative think tank has filed a federal lawsuit against Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, alleging he violated the First Amendment rights of staff members who were denied access to a press briefing and kept off an advisory list sent to...

Still Paying Coerced Labor Dues, Even After Janus – The Wall Street Journal

Dozens of workers have crashed into obstacles set by unions and their allies in state government. Many are turning to lawsuits.

Special Ed Teacher Suing to Leave California Union – Fox News

May 7 — A California educator is battling a state teachers’ union over his problems leaving the organization, in what his attorneys say could be a precedent-setting legal case that ultimately forces labor unions across the country to reimburse billions in back dues to their members. Tommy Few, a special...

Kent State Custodians Sue to Stop University from Withholding Union Dues from Paychecks

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Three Kent State University workers sued the university and a labor union Monday, saying the university continues to deduct dues from their paychecks even though they withdrew from the labor organization following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year. Annamarie Hannay, Adda...

Special Ed Teacher Suing California Union in Case that Could Cost Labor Big – Fox News

Dozens of workers have crashed into obstacles set by unions and their allies in state government. Many are turning to lawsuits.

Sweeping Class-Action Lawsuit Could Force Unions Nationwide to Refund Millions in Fees – Fox News

May 2, 2019 — A massive class-action lawsuit filed in Illinois on Wednesday could force unions to refund hundreds of millions of dollars in agency fees paid by thousands of workers nationwide prior to the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling last year in Janus v. AFSCME. That June 2018 decision barred public-sector...

State Workers Ask to be Repaid for Past “Fair Share” Fees – The Chicago Tribune

May 1, 2019 — Continuing a fight against public employee unions initially spearheaded by former Gov. Bruce Rauner, nine state workers who say they have opted out of union membership are asking to be repaid for past “fair share” fees in a proposed class-action lawsuit....

Kent State Custodians Sue to Stop University from Withholding Union Dues from Paychecks – Cleveland.com

April 30, 2019 — Three Kent State University workers sued the university and a labor union Monday, saying the university continues to deduct dues from their paychecks even though they withdrew from the labor organization following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year. Annamarie Hannay,...

Moline-Coal Valley School District Employee Sues Over Union Dues Deductions – The Neighbor

April 30, 2019 — An employee of the Moline-Coal Valley School District has filed a federal lawsuit against the district and the state’s largest public sector union, claiming both refused to stop deducting union dues from her paycheck months after she left the union. Susan...

Even after Janus Ruling, Issues with Organized Labor Persist – Philadelphia Inquirer

This op-ed was published on April 18, 2019, in the Philadelphia Inquirer and was written by Shalea Oliver, plaintiff in the Liberty Justice Center’s case Oliver v. SEIU. The original article can be found here. I recently sued my union. It’s not something I ever...

Illinois Man at Heart of Supreme Court Case Continues Fight – The News Gazette

April 16, 2019 — Public employees across the country no longer are being forced to pay fees to unions they don’t support. They can thank Illinois’ Mark Janus and others like him for their newfound freedom. Janus was a former child support specialist for the...

Press Release: Mark Janus Asks Appeals Court to Order Refund of Forced Union Fees Outlawed by U.S. Supreme Court

Janus v. AFSCME case continues after union officials refuse to return forced fees ruled unconstitutional in landmark decision

Pennsylvania is Hub for Post-Janus Lawsuits – Philadelphia Inquirer

Shalea Oliver had been trying to leave her union for more than a year when she found a website offering help. It had a template resignation letter that she could send to her union, SEIU Local 668, and a form to fill out if the letter wasn’t effective, which...

Unions Kept Collecting Dues After Workers Resigned – Pennsylvania Watchdog

March 3, 2019 — Pennsylvania lawmakers were warned last fall that if the state didn’t amend its laws to comply with the terms of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Janus v. AFSCME ruling, the result could be a host of legal complications. That warning is...

Mark Janus, the Man Who Ended Compulsory Union Dues – National Review

March 7, 2019 — He asked the Supreme Court to acknowledge his First Amendment rights, and it did. An average guy, provoked enough, can accomplish things that are above average. Mark Janus is such a guy. Provoked by what he believed was a bald violation...

County Faces Lawsuit over Alleged Unauthorized Deduction of Union Dues – LebTown

March 7, 2019 — Four Lebanon County employees have filed a federal complaint (PDF) against the county and Teamsters Local 429 for unauthorized deductions of union dues from their paychecks. The lawsuit stems from a June 2018 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that significantly weakened...

4 Lebanon County Employees Sue Over Forced Union Dues – Lebanon Daily News

March 7, 2019 — Four Lebanon County employees are suing the county and a union they say required them to pay dues after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed that practice. “Our clients have repeatedly made it clear to Lebanon County and Teamsters Local 429 that...

Janus Supports New Mexico Workers’ Right to Work – Albuquerque Journal

February 22 — The state House late Friday approved a bill that would bar counties in New Mexico from enforcing local “right-to-work” ordinances. The proposal, House Bill 85, now heads to the Senate for consideration. Democratic Reps. Daymon Ely of Corrales and Andrea Romero of Santa...

Chicago Alderman Wants “Robot Tax” – Illinois Policy Institute

(Feb. 14, 2019) As Amazon considers pulling its HQ2 out of New York City, Chicago is considering imposing a “robot tax” on companies looking to automate their way around high labor costs.

Illinois School Employee Sues for Refund of Union Dues – Daily Herald

February 12 — Citing a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision from last summer, a Palatine Township Elementary District 15 diesel mechanic is suing his former union and the district for a refund of dues he says he paid unwillingly. Erich Mandel, a Palatine resident, contends...

LJC One of 21 Policy Groups Backing Lawsuit to End Forced Union Representation – Marietta Daily Journal

January 11 — In what could be the largest labor-related case since Janus v. AFSCME, policy groups from around the country are expressing support for a lawsuit that would prohibit forced representation from public sector unions. The lawsuit, litigated by the Ohio-based, free-market Buckeye Institute, received...

Janus Didn’t Settle Union Dues Question After All, LJC Attorney Says – North Cook News

January 10–Would-be nonunion members who thought the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus decision had codified their right not to pay compulsory collective bargaining dues are discovering the unions have an out, according to a lawsuit filed last month. Jeffrey Schwab, senior attorney at Liberty Justice Center, heads the...

LJC Represents IL Worker Forced to Pay Dues Despite Supreme Court Ruling that Bars Practice – The Chicago Tribune

January 6 — A northwest suburban school employee is suing his labor union, saying he’s being blocked from opting out of membership despite a landmark Supreme Court ruling last year that barred public unions from requiring government employees to pay dues. Erich Mandel, a diesel mechanic...

California Teacher Alleges Constitutional Rights Have Been Violated by Union, School District – Legal NewsLine

November 27, 2018 – A special education teacher in California alleges his constitutional rights have been violated because a union refused to allow him to withdraw his membership. Thomas Few filed a complaint on Nov. 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District...

LJC Threatens Litigation in 11 States Defying the Janus Ruling – Fox News

September 11, 2018 — Despite the landmark Supreme Court ruling this summer barring public-sector unions from requiring nonmembers to pay so-called agency fees, workers in several states say unions are either flat-out ignoring the decision or establishing a frustrating maze of procedural roadblocks to avoid...

Massachusetts Officials Say the Janus Ruling Doesn’t Apply to Union Membership – Boston Business Journal

This article first appeared in the Springfield Republican. When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that unions can no longer collect fees from non-members, unions and their advocates slammed the decision as an attack on working people. Many labor rights activists warned the decision could seriously diminish the...

LJC Sends “Cease and Desist” Letters to Four States – The Salem News

BOSTON — A conservative group is threatening to sue state and local officials if they don’t stop collecting union dues and agency fees from workers’ paychecks. In letters to Gov. Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and other officials, the Chicago-based...

LJC Threatens to Sue Oregon Officials if They Don’t Stop Collecting Dues – Chicago Sun Times

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Chicago-based conservative group is threatening to sue Oregon government officials if they don’t stop collecting union dues and agency fees from workers’ paychecks, a newspaper reported Wednesday. The Liberty Justice Center has sent cease-and-desist letters to state officials, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The nonprofit...

LJC Notifies States They’re Violating the Janus Decision – Portland Tribune

August 28, 2018 — The Chicago-based Liberty Justice Center asserts that public employers are required to obtain written affirmation from union members that they wish to continue paying union dues. The law firm that represented the plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned mandatory...

Janus Lawyers Threaten Lawsuit Over Union Dues in Oregon – The Oregonian

(August 28, 2018) An Illinois legal nonprofit has sent cease and desist letters to state and local officials threatening to sue the state of Oregon, the City of Portland and Portland Public Schools if they don’t stop collecting union dues and agency fees from workers’ paychecks. The Liberty Justice...

If Frank Mautino Didn’t Break the Rules, the Rules are Broken – Daily Southtown

July 13, 2018 When it comes to political graft, paying people under the table isn’t too complicated — as long as you have some blurred lines to hide in. That’s the lesson underlying the tragi-comic saga of Frank Mautino. In the eyes of the law,...

Supreme Court’s Janus v AFSCME Ruling Will Force Unions To Be More Accountable – USA Today

Teacher op-ed: Unions can be great for workers. But supporting workers’ rights isn’t political, and it doesn’t make you anti-union. As a Minnesota teacher, I didn’t have a choice about

Why I Took My Case Over Forced Union Dues to the Supreme Court – Washington Post

By Mark Janus — July 1, 2018 Mark Janus was the plaintiff in Janus v. AFSCME. My home state of Illinois is in financial free fall. The state has billions of dollars in unpaid bills, has unbalanced budgets and is bleeding people and money. A state doesn’t get into...

In Janus Ruling, Supreme Court Restores Free Speech Rights to Public Workers Like Me – Fox News

Teacher Op-ed: In my home state of Alaska, teachers and other public employees are forced to pay fees to unions they didn’t choose to represent them, in order to hold the jobs they love.

Janus Ruling Empowers Public Employees – Seattle Times

Now 5.5 million employees in 22 states have their First Amendment freedom of association rights restored — including employees right here in Washington.

What the Janus Decision Means in New York, the Nation’s Most Unionized State – Democrat and Chronicle

ALBANY – The Supreme Court ruling Wednesday that unions cannot collect fees from non-members could have wide implications across New York, which has the nation’s most heavily unionized public sector. Unions in New York derided the groundbreaking decision by the closely divided Supreme Court as it may weaken...

Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Union Fees for Government Employees – Daily Signal

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that nonunion government workers can’t be forced to pay dues or other fees to support a union, further diminishing the power of organized labor and setting up what right-to-work proponents called the “hard work” of protecting free speech rights...

With Janus, California Public Employees Are Free From Union Shakedowns, Finally – Sacramento Bee

June 27, 2018 — Will Swaim, president of the California Policy Center Just in time for Independence Day, the U.S. Supreme Court has delivered millions into greater liberty – and a day of reckoning for public-sector union leaders. The court struck down as unconstitutional the...

Supreme Court’s Janus Decision is a Win for Government Workers (And All Americans) – Fox News

In its 5-4 ruling Wednesday in Janus vs. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees), the Supreme Court overturned decades-old precedent that allowed government unions to require public employees to pay union fees or risk being fired. Now millions of teachers, police officers,...

Supreme Court Rules Nonunion Workers Cannot Be Forced to Pay Fees to Public Sector Unions – CNBC

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Wednesday in Janus v. AFSCME that nonunion workers cannot be forced to pay fees to public sector unions. The case, one of the most hotly anticipated of the term, is the second in two days to hand a major...

Mark Janus on Supreme Court Ruling – Fox Business

Jun. 27, 2018 Janus v. AFSCME plaintiff Mark Janus and attorney Jacob Huebert appeared on Fox Business News to discuss the Supreme Court ruling on public sector unions. Watch the latest video at foxbusiness.com

Supreme Court Decision Puts Workers in Driver’s Seat – Washington Examiner

Op-ed: What could you do with an extra $14,000? I had no choice but to hand it over to a union simply because I’m a public school teacher in Ohio, where people can be fired for not paying money to a union.

How AFSCME’s Demands Invited the Janus Case – The Chicago Tribune

June 25, 2018 — Kristen McQueary, Tribune Editorial Board It’s fitting that Mark Janus, the plaintiff behind a highly anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week, works for Illinois government. The union he sued is particularly influential in politics and policy here — with perilous outcomes...

Teacher Who Challenged Union Speaks Out About U.S. Supreme Court Case – Capital Public Radio

This month, the U.S. Supreme Court will hand down a major decision in Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, impacting teachers and other public employee unions. Rebecca Friedrichs is a teacher and was the lead plaintiff challenging the California Teachers Association’s “agency shop” arrangement, which requires non-union member...

President of AFSCME Local: Supreme Court May Give Workers a Choice, but Unions Still Have a Critical Choice As Well – The Hill

June 6, 2018 — Michael Thulen, president of AFSCME Local 3790 and contributor to My Pay My Say As president of AFSCME Local 3790 in New Jersey, I empathize with Phillip’s difficult position of being pitted between his personal principles and the coerced nature of the law....

Union Activity Ramps Up in Advance of Supreme Court Decision – Wall Street Journal

As organized labor braces for a Supreme Court ruling that could make it easy for public-sector workers to stop paying some dues, unions across the country are reaching out to hundreds of thousands of members to persuade them to keep paying dues. The Service Employees International Union...

Let’s Support Teachers By Backing Their Freedom To Choose Whether Or Not To Join a Union – The Hill

May 11, 2018 — Colin Sharkey, Association of American Educators As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week this week, teachers across the nation remain remarkably underappreciated. In at least five states so far this year, educators are voicing their discontent by organizing walkouts and strikes to protest...

Ruling for Janus Would Reduce Conflict in Washington State Schools – Real Clear Education

April 3, 2018 — Liv Finne, Center for Education at the Washington Policy Center On February 26th, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Mark Janus, a child support specialist working for the Illinois state...

Teacher: Agency Fees Are 100 Percent Political – And Unions Know It – The Hill

The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in Janus v. AFSCME, a case involving “agency fees” that unions impose on workers who aren’t members to cover union activities with the exception of political action. Since the oral arguments took place, most news outlets, court watchers and even...

IC Alum Central in Supreme Court Case – Journal Courier

To Illinois College alum Mark Janus, who is at the center of a history-making Supreme Court case, it’s about standing up for what he believes is right. It’s that belief that resulted in his fight against the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees...

Forced Public Employee Union Fees Violate the Nation’s Constitution – Monticello Times

March 12, 2018 –Kim Crockett, Center of the American Experiment On Monday morning in the nation’s capital, Americans exercised their right to demonstrate peacefully on the steps of the Supreme Court. Hundreds of public employees, unions officials, and lawyers like me from all over the...

Mandatory Union Fees Return to the Supreme Court – CATO Daily Podcast

Oct. 5, 2017 LJC Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert spoke with the Cato Institute’s Caleb Brown about Janus v. AFSCME, our Supreme Court case challenging laws that force government workers to pay union fees.

Unions Act As If They’ve Already Lost – Wall Street Journal

Kim Crockett writes about what government unions are doing to prepare for a loss in Janus v. AFSCME.

Supreme Court Set for Historic New Term – The Hill

Janus v. AFSCME highlighted as one of the most important cases of the Supreme Court's new term.

Workers Should Have the Right to Choose on Union Fees – State Journal Register

Our client Mark Janus writes about public service and why he's fighting for freedom.

Supreme Court Adds Union Fee Case to Blockbuster Docket – CNN

Sept. 28, 2017 Washington (CNN) – A week before the Supreme Court is set to begin the new term, justices announced Thursday that they are adding a big public sector union fees case to an already blockbuster docket. The issue concerns something that deeply divided...

No Government Worker Should Be Forced to Pay Union Fees – National Review

by Jacob Huebert Sept. 27, 2017 The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to announce this week whether it will hear a landmark labor case, Janus v. AFSCME. At the heart of the case is this question: Should government workers be forced to pay money to...

State Workers Should Be Free to Choose Who They Support – State Journal Register

by Jacob Huebert June 29, 2017 As a child support specialist at the Department of Health and Family Services, Mark Janus advocates for children who are caught in the crossfire of their parents’ divorce. Every day he goes to work, hoping to smooth a difficult...

Unions Come Into the Justices’ Cross Hairs, Again – New York Times

June 12, 2017 Last year, the Supreme Court seemed poised to deal a sharp blow to public sector unions. Then Justice Antonin Scalia died and the court deadlocked, granting the unions a reprieve. It may not last long. Last week, a new case raising the same legal question arrived at the...

Will The Third Time Be The Charm For Challenge To Public-Sector Union Fees? – SCOTUSblog

June 7, 2017 It is settled law that public employees who do not belong to the union that represents them cannot be required to pay fees that the union would use for political activity like union organizing. But in 1977, the Supreme Court ruled that public...

Justices Will Decide Whether to Take a Critical Case to Public-Sector Unions’ Future – Washington Examiner

June 6, 2017 With Trump tweets, British elections, and new terrorist attacks filling most of the cable news minutes and hours this week, it could easily go unnoticed that a child support specialist named Mark Janus has formally filed the request that his case, Janus v....

New High Court Challenge to Labor Unions Follows 4-4 Split – Associated Press

June 6, 2017 WASHINGTON – Conservative groups are wasting little time in trying to deal a crippling blow to labor unions now that Justice Neil Gorsuch has joined the Supreme Court. A First Amendment clash over public sector unions left the justices deadlocked last year after the...

Embattled Illinois Auditor General’s Campaign Spending Under Scrutiny at Hearing – The Chicago Tribune

April 20, 2017 An Illinois State Board of Elections hearing officer is expected to issue a recommendation next month regarding allegations that Auditor General Frank Mautino violated campaign finance disclosure laws during his time as a Democratic state representative. On Thursday, hours of testimony were...

Judge: Cannabis Companies Can Make Campaign Contributions – Associated Press

Mar. 31, 2017 Illinois’ medical marijuana companies, operating in an industry abounding with rules, now have one less regulation they have to follow. The Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/2optGrA) reports that a federal judge ruled last week that a provision preventing cannabis companies from making campaign contributions...

First Amendment Victory Over Ban on Political Contributions from Medical Marijuana Businesses in Illinois – Reason

Mar. 24, 2017 The state of Illinois enacted in 2013 a pretty blatantly unconstitutional law forbidding businesses engaged in (legal) medical marijuana sales or growing from contributing to political campaigns, in effect either directly or via a PAC (though only the latter was literally codified)....

Right-to-Work Court Case Could Have National Impact on Unions – Fox News

Feb. 10, 2017 A landmark right-to-work lawsuit playing out in Illinois has captured widespread attention amid expectations the case could land before the Supreme Court – and potentially have national implications for an estimated 20 million government workers. Pat Hughes, who’s representing the three plaintiffs...

Chicago Made Their Business Illegal, Now Vugo is Fighting Back – Illinois Policy Institute

by Austin Berg Feb. 7, 2017 Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel brands his city as “the digital mecca of the Midwest.” But what happens when politicians tilt the playing field toward entrenched interests? Enter Vugo, a promising Midwest tech startup now suing the city for banning its business. Starting up...

Chicago Sued for Prohibiting Ads in Uber, Lyft Cars – CBS

Feb. 2, 2017 CHICAGO (CBS) — The City of Chicago is being sued for prohibiting advertising in ridesharing vehicles, such as those from Uber or Lyft. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of Vugo, a company that wants to put...

City Sued for Banning Ads in Ride-Share Vehicles – The Chicago Tribune

Feb. 2, 2017 A Minneapolis technology company has sued the city of Chicago for banning advertising inside the private cars used by Uber, Lyft and other ride-share company drivers. Vugo, founded in 2015 and looking to expand its digital advertising business to ride-sharing vehicles here, filed a federal lawsuit...

Chicago’s Home-Sharing Ordinance is an Unwelcome Guest – The Chicago Tribune

by Jacob Huebert and Christina Sandefur Nov. 29, 2016 When the Cubs won the World Series in early November, the city was euphoric. And in the days leading up to the win, Wrigleyville was buzzing with excited fans — from Chicago and around the world. During that...

Chicago’s Airbnb Home-Sharing Rules are ‘Draconian,’ Lawsuit Says – The Chicago Tribune

Nov. 16, 2016 A group of homeowners is suing the city of Chicago, alleging the city’s new “draconian and unintelligible restrictions” on Airbnb and other home-sharing platforms are unconstitutional and punish responsible homeowners. This is the second lawsuit filed this month that takes aim at the city’s...

Lawsuit Blasts New Airbnb Regulations – Fox News

Nov. 15, 2016 FOX 32 NEWS – A lawsuit has been filed to stop a new ordinance that would put stricter regulations on people who share their homes through sites like Airbnb. The ordinance is set to take effect in just a few weeks, but this...

Tuesday’s Election Will Set Unhappy Union Workers Free – Wall Street Journal

Nov. 14, 2016 One of the most intriguing political shifts Tuesday was Donald Trump’s relative popularity with union members. Exit polls show that Hillary Clinton did not win union households in nearly the numbers that President Obama did in 2012. Although major unions like the...

Liberty Justice Center Backs Illinois Citizens in State Auditor General Fight – Madison St.Clair Record

October 6, 2016 CHICAGO – An Illinois citizen who is taking action against the state’s auditor general in what he alleges is a violation of campaign disclosure laws has gained support from the Liberty Justice Center. The group is providing representation for David Cooke of Streator...

Same-Day Voter Registration at Issue in Illinois Lawsuit – San Diego Union Tribune

Harlan v. Schloz challenges Illinois’ Election Day registration statute that does not make Election Day registration equally available in all counties. The state should not be allowed to give certain citizens more opportunities to register and vote than it gives to others. The excerpt below...

Evanston Opens Door to Outside Food Trucks – The Chicago Tribune

June 16, 2016 Food trucks from outside of Evanston can now peddle their gourmet sandwiches, pastries, coffee and other foods within the city’s borders, thanks to an ordinance change approved by the Evanston City Council on Monday, lifting a restriction that had been place since 2010. Evanston...

Why I Don’t Want to Pay Union Dues – The Chicago Tribune

Mark Janus is the lead plaintiff in Janus v. AFSCME. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Janus v. AFSCME that mandatory government union fees are illegal. Mark Janus is arguing AFSCME should refund the illegal dues he was forced to pay. The article...

Lincolnshire May Have to Fight for “Right-to-Work” Ordinance – The Chicago Tribune

The excerpt below is from an article by Ronnie Wachter that appeared December 30, 2015, in the Chicago Tribune. Officials in Lincolnshire are aware of the possibility that a new union ordinance could soon face a legal challenge, and both sides are gearing up for a fight. The...

Lawsuit Filed over SEIU Representation – State Journal Register

In Hill v. SEIU, the Liberty Justice Center represented personal assistants and child care providers to end SEIU’s exclusive representation. The government’s appointment of an exclusive representative to speak on the behalf of all personal assistants and child care providers violates their First Amendment right...

Home Care Workers Sue State, Union – Alton Daily News

In-Home Care Workers Sue State, Union – The Chicago Tribune

Caregivers Sue to Block Union Bond – Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Lawsuit Filed to Block Chicago’s ‘Cloud Tax’ – Fox News

City Hall estimates the 9 percent tax will yield about $5 million

Inside the Legal Challenge to Chicago’s 9 Percent Netflix Tax – Motherboard Vice

The city became the first to try to create a new revenue stream from streamers

Netflix and Amazon Users Sue to Stop Chicago’s 9% Streaming Tax – Fortune

Local governments are taxing popular cloud services to make up for lost sales tax revenue

City of Chicago Sued for ‘Trying to Sneak in’ a Nine Per Cent ‘Netflix Tax’ on Streaming Websites including Spotify and Amazon Prime – Daily Mail

A lawsuit filed against the Illinois city claims it had no legal right to bring in the levy which could lead to higher bills for residents

City of Chicago Sued Over ‘Netflix Tax’ – Fox News

Chicago’s ‘amusement tax’ puts a fee on streaming services like Netflix, Spotify Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com http://video.foxnews.com/v/4480344454001/?#sp=show-clips

Chicago’s Tax of Netflix, Spotify Subscriptions Challenged in Court – Hollywood Reporter

Labell v. City of Chicago challenges Chicago’s tax on subscriptions to streaming services, such as Netflix and Spotify. The Liberty Justice Center represents Chicago taxpayers who subscribe to these streaming services and are forced to pay the tax. The excerpt below is from an article...

Downers Grove Man Sues Over New Village Ban on Painted Wall Signs – Chicago Tribune

In Leibundguth Storage & Van Service v. Village of Downers Grove, the Liberty Justice Center represented Leibundguth Storage & Van Service to protect their First Amendment right to free speech in advertising the business and strike down the sign-ordinance regulations. The excerpt below is from...

Unions Battle for Survival in Key Strongholds as Court Cases Challenge Forced Dues – Fox News

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Janus v. AFSCME that mandatory government union fees are illegal. Mark Janus is arguing AFSCME should refund the illegal dues he was forced to pay. The excerpt below is from...

Pension Arguments – WGN

Featuring Jacob Heubert

Fair Share Union Dues – WTTW

Featuring Jacob Huebert

Analyzing Rauner’s Executive Order – Chicago Tonight

Jacob Huebert was featured on Chicago Tonight on WTTW to discuss Gov. Rauner’s executive order giving freedom from mandatory union dues and union membership to Illinois workers. During the segment, Jacob discussed how the Governor’s action represents a significant step forward for Illinois’ economy and...

Challenging EDGE Tax Credits – WMAY

http://www.wmay.com/episode/challenging-edge-tax-credits-bishop-on-air/

Group Sues to End Illinois Tax Breaks for Retaining Jobs – The Chicago Tribune

The excerpt below is from an article by Alejandra Cancino that appeared January 9, 2015, in the Chicago Tribune. The legal arm of the conservative Illinois Policy Institute on Friday filed a lawsuit to end the state’s practice of awarding tax credits to businesses for retaining...

Looking Back at Downers Grove’s Biggest Stories in 2014 – My Suburban Life

Businessman Sues Downers Grove to Keep Signs Painted on His Building – The Chicago Tribune

At Issue: Money and Politics – WTVP

Video: LJC's Jacob Huebert debates campaign contribution limits

City to Change Party Bus, Taxi Regulations after Judge’s Ruling – Pantagraph

In Julie Crowe v. City of Bloomington, the Liberty Justice Center represented Julie Crowe who was denied a license to start a vehicle-for-hire business based on a local law that allowed city officials to keep competitors out of the market to protect established businesses. The...

City’s Rules for Licensing Vehicles-for-Hire Ruled Unconstitutional – Pantagraph

Court Rules in Favor of Wailand in Macomb Election Results Dispute – WGEM

In Steven Wailand v. City of Macomb, the Liberty Justice Center represents Steven Wailand who received the most votes for a Second Ward Alderman seat, yet the City refused to recognize him as the winner, and instead scheduled a runoff election between him and the...

Doughnuts Fight City Hall – in Evanston – Grub Street

Beaver Donuts v. City of Evanston challenged city code that prohibited all food trucks in Evanston, except those operated by owners of existing brick-and-mortar establishments. The Liberty Justice Center challenged the city code on the grounds that it did not protect health, safety or welfare,...

Food Truck Owners Sue for Right to Sell in Evanston – The Chicago Tribune

Evanston Law Spurs Food Fight – NBC

New Challenge Filed to Post-Blago Campaign Cash Law – Crain’s Chicago Business

Illinois Liberty PAC v. Raoul challenges the constitutionality of a campaign finance law that limited free speech for everyone, except political parties and their leaders. The Liberty Justice Center filed this lawsuit to end the enforcement of this statute so that everyone has access to...

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