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Caffarelli & Martin Secures Class Certification in Biometric Privacy Case Against Aimbridge

Caffarelli & Martin, Ltd. (p/k/a Caffarelli & Associates) is pleased to announce a significant victory for Illinois workers in Gutierrez v. Aimbridge Employee Service Corp. and Aimbridge Hospitality, LLC. On June 2, 2026, Judge Caroline Kate Moreland of the Circuit Court of Cook County granted Plaintiffs’ renewed motion for class certification in a lawsuit brought under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, commonly known as BIPA. The case concerns Aimbridge-managed hotels in Illinois that allegedly required employees to use UltiPro...

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Caffarelli & Martin Ltd. Secures Unanimous Jury Verdict in Sexual Harassment Case Against El Milagro

Caffarelli & Martin Ltd. is proud to announce a trial victory on behalf of Lilia Carrillo in her hostile work environment sexual harassment case against El-Milagro, Inc. d/b/a El Milagro under the Illinois Human Rights Act. After a five-day jury trial in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, the jury unanimously found in favor of the Plaintiff. The case was tried by Alejandro Caffarelli and Whitney Barr of Caffarelli & Martin Ltd. Ms. Carrillo worked for a placement company,...

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Alexis Martin Quoted in Borderless Magazine

Alexis D. Martin of Caffarelli & Martin Ltd. was recently quoted in a Borderless Magazine article discussing the growing delays in DACA renewal processing and the legal uncertainty many recipients are facing under current immigration policies. The article highlights the significant impact these delays are having on work authorization, employment, and deportation concerns for DACA recipients across the country. You can read the full article here.

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Illinois Appellate Court Clarifies Employer Liability and Pleading Standards Under the Gender Violence Act

In a significant decision for employees across Illinois, the First District Appellate Court in Doe v. TK Behavioral, LLC, 2026 IL App (1st) 251028, clarified both the scope of employer liability and the pleading standards under the Illinois Gender Violence Act (GVA). This ruling is particularly important for claims involving workplace sexual assault and gender-based violence in Chicago and throughout Illinois, as it confirms that the statute provides meaningful protections beyond traditional common law limitations. In Doe v. TK Behavioral,...

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month – a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to accountability and justice.

Caffarelli & Martin Ltd. is dedicated to advocating for individuals who have experienced sexual harassment and assault in the workplace and beyond. We understand the courage it takes to come forward, and we are here to provide compassionate and experienced representation every step of the way. If you or someone you know has been affected, we encourage you to seek support and learn more about your rights and options.

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Illinois Supreme Court Expands Pay Rights for Pre-Shift Work Under Wage Law

In a major win for Illinois workers, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that employees may be entitled to pay for required pre-shift and post-shift activities—even when federal law would not require compensation. The landmark ruling strengthens employee rights to compensation for required workplace activities. In Johnson v. Amazon.com Services, LLC, the court addressed whether the Illinois Minimum Wage Law adopts a major limitation from federal law that excludes certain “preliminary” and “postliminary” activities from paid time. The court answered no....

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Figueroa and the Fight Over Who Gets to Enforce Workplace Rights in Illinois

A recent Cook County decision in Figueroa v. Visual Pak Holdings, LLC  (available at Figueroa v Visual Pak 3_6_26-1-Opinion) could have major consequences for temporary workers in Illinois and for the organizations that help them enforce their rights. In March 2026, the court held that Section 67 of the Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services Act (IDTLSA)—the provision allowing an “interested party” to sue over alleged violations—was unconstitutional. The court concluded that the statute improperly gave private organizations authority that...

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Whitney L. Barr Featured in CBA Record

Caffarelli & Martin Ltd. associate attorney Whitney L. Barr is featured in the March/April 2026 issue of the CBA Record, where she explores the important role juries should play in sexual-harassment cases. Whitney argues that courts too often dismiss these claims at summary judgment, even though they turn on fact-intensive questions about workplace conduct, harm, and credibility. Her article explains why juries are often better positioned to evaluate whether harassment was severe enough to violate the law and why preserving...

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Northern District Encourages Updated Definition of “Product”

In Penzick v. Constrafor Inc., 25 C 4555 (N.D. Ill. Jan. 29, 2026) (Durkin, J.), Caffarelli & Martin Ltd. successfully represented the Plaintiff and prevailed in defeating the Defendant’s motion to dismiss. In a notable ruling, Judge Durkin rejected the Defendant’s argument that “software is intangible property” and therefore not a “product,” calling that position “an obsolete perspective.” The Defendant had moved to dismiss Count I of Plaintiff’s Complaint, brought under the Illinois Sales Representative Act (“SRA”), 820 ILCS 120/1(1), arguing...

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