Case Updates
- Illinois Moment of Silence Law deemed Unconstitutional (Sherman v. School District 216, et al.). In 2008 the Illinois State Legislature amended the Moment of Silence Law in the State of Illinois, which required all children in public schools to have a moment of silence to pray and/or reflect. Rob Sherman, a renowned atheist, and his daughter, Dawn Sherman, a Buffalo Grove High School student, retained Gregory E. Kulis & Associates, Ltd. to challenge the constitutionality of this law. The Plaintiff moved for a class action against all school districts in Illinois to prevent this law from going forward, which would project prayer in the public schools. An injunction was entered against the State of Illinois preventing enforcement of this law and thereafter the Sherman’s moved for class certification against all public school districts in the State of Illinois, which was granted. Ultimately, Judge Robert Gettleman of the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois held that the law was unconstitutional and violated the exclusionary clause of the United States Constitution. This matter is currently up on appeal in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Hazing of Presidential Election Celebrants. On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected. In Chicago, many supporters were celebrating in the streets, screaming and yelling as the election results declared Barack Obama president. Numerous Chicago police officers took offense at a black president and used pepper spray in retaliation of the celebration. Racial comments were made while the celebrants were pepper-sprayed. Gregory E. Kulis & Associates, Ltd. filed numerous lawsuits against unknown Chicago Police Officers for violation for these individuals’ First Amendment Rights and excessive and unlawful use of force under 42 U.S.C. §1983. These lawsuits are still pending.
- Springfield Resident Set-Up By Bad Cops. Larry Washington is a resident of the City of Springfield. Despite his past as an ex-gang member from Chicago and criminal past from twelve years ago, Washington moved to Springfield with his young son to start a new life. In March of 2005, officers of the Springfield Police Department claimed they performed a trash rip on Mr. Washington’s trash and found cocaine in the trash. Mr. Washington’s trash was not out the day of the alleged trash rip and a forensic laboratory later found there was no cocaine in the trash. Despite this, Springfield police officers raided Mr. Washington’s home with a search warrant based on false information and allegedly found 500 grams of cocaine in the home. Mr. Washington denied that the cocaine was his and claimed that he had been set-up. Rather than the accepting a plea bargain, Washington was determined to fight the false criminal charges. After a long and lengthy criminal ordeal, which took almost 2 years, the charges were dropped. The two lead detectives on the case were ultimately fired from the Springfield Police Department for violations of numerous rules and regulations. Larry Washington retained Gregory E. Kulis & Associates, Ltd. to file a §1983 action for conspiracy and false arrest against these detectives. This case proceeded to trial once, but a mistrial had to be declared due to discriminatory comments made among jurors. This matter is currently set for trial in the spring/summer of 2010.
- $100,000.00 to Sandwich Shop Owner. A Schaumburg sandwich shop owner had a dispute with a customer over a sandwich. Police were called by the customer. The officer who arrived on the scene tried to force his will upon the shop owner. The officer physically attacked and arrested the shop owner claiming he pushed the officer. The shop owner received abrasions to his face and body seeking minimal medical attention and some psychological counseling from the incident. Our firm ultimately reached a settlement of $100,000.00 for the shop owner for his claim.
- $87,000.00 to a Landlord and Tenants. In 2009 a Chicago Landlord/owner of several single-family rental homes and the tenants sued the City of Chicago for unlawfully entering apartments by using Chicago police Authority to unlawfully investigate the landlord. After complaining about these actions, numerous bogus building violations were issued against the landlord. A settlement of $87,000.00 was reached.
Areas Of Practice
- Civil Rights and Police Misconduct
- Business, Commercial, and Contract Litigation
- Unique Litigation
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