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Attorney informs potential class members of $1 million settlement in 2018 suit against Bruce Rauner and his campaign fund

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Illinois

* From April of 2018…

An Illinois man has brought a class action lawsuit against Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign committee, alleging the committee violated federal telephone consumer protection law by making “pernicious” and unsolicited robocalls to state residents’ cellular phones, urging them to vote for Rauner.

Peter Garvey filed suit March 23 in Cook County Circuit Court against Citizens for Rauner Inc., alleging the organization breached the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The suit was filed on Garvey’s behalf by Chicago lawyer John Sawin. […]

According to Garvey, a typical message from March this year stated:

Hi, this is Bruce Rauner. I’m callin’ to ask for your vote in Tuesday’s primary election. Illinois is worth fightin’ for and with real reform, together we can bring back Illinois and provide the future our children deserve. Please join me in the fight against Mike Madigan and his special interest allies. I’m askin’ for your vote on Tuesday, March 20.

I dunno about you, but that robocall script triggered my PTSD.

* Some folks I know are gettin’ this mailer…

* From the law firm…

What can I get from the settlement?

The settlement will provide a total of $1,000,000 (the “Settlement Fund”) to fully settle and release the Class Members’ claims against the Rauner Campaign and Rauner. If you received a telephone call, text message or ringless voicemail message from the Rauner Campaign or Rauner and you fit the definition of the Settlement Class, as defined below, then you can choose whether to participate in the settlement.

The Court presiding over the lawsuit must still decide whether to approve the settlement. Settlement payments will be made only if the Court approves the settlement, and after any appeals are resolved. Please be patient.

* From the class action settlement agreement and release…

On or about March 23, 2018, Named Plaintiff filed a complaint against the Rauner Campaign in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Chancery Division, Case No. 2018 CH 03859, alleging that the Rauner Campaign violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by making calls and delivering ringless voicemail messages to cellular telephones. On or about October 22, 2018, Rauner Campaign filed a third-party complaint against Victory Phones LLC and The Stratics Group Inc. relating to the alleged calls at issue. On or about November 30, 2018, The Stratics Group Inc. filed a Notice of Removal to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where the Action remained pending. […]

Defendants deny all claims asserted in the Action and deny all allegations of wrongdoing and liability. Defendants desire to settle the Action on the terms set forth herein solely for the purpose of avoiding the burden, expense, risk and uncertainty of continuing these proceedings. […]

Subject to preliminary approval and final approval by the Court as required by Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and subject to the remaining provisions herein, the Parties desire a full, complete, and final settlement and resolution of all existing disputes and claims as set forth herein, and to fully, finally and forever resolve, discharge and release the claims (as set forth herein) of Named Plaintiff and the Settlement Class Members, in exchange for Defendants’ agreement to jointly pay the total amount of one million U.S. dollars ($1,000,000), inclusive of Settlement Costs and Settlement Awards as explained and set forth below. […]

With no consideration given or received, Plaintiff has agreed to limit the request for an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses to no more than 33.333% of the Settlement Fund, plus reimbursement of reasonable litigation costs and expenses.

Citizens for Rauner is still active and reported having $533K in its account at the end of the last quarter. It has reported no expenditures to its legal defense firm Seyfarth Shaw.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 1:37 pm

Comments

“What can I get from the settlement?”

A coupon good for half-off your next purchase of a union-bustin’ faux populist.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 1:53 pm
Best part is when they drop the Gs in the transcript

Comment by Ok Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 1:53 pm
Rauner should give each person a $25 gift card and be done with this litigation…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 1:57 pm
Rauner..source of fall off illinois problems

Comment by Boomer Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:02 pm
=== Rauner..source of fall off illinois problems===

Don’t argue like a child.

It can’t be said Rauner helped Illinois situation with no budgets for two years… for openers.

If they choose $25 gift cards, can mine be for Waffle House?

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:05 pm
Sorry I missed his calls guess my line was busy letting me know about my car warranty.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:14 pm
One condition of accepting the settlement is that you vote the way he tells you to and you can’t give him any bleeping problems. /s

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:19 pm
Wonderin’ if’n suin’ this here campaign fund thingamjib will be a hurtin’ Mr Rauner.

Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:22 pm
I like the 25$ gift card idea. OW, is there a Waffle House in Oswego? I may have to visit.

Comment by Pius Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:24 pm
No gift card for me. I want the chickens.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:37 pm
Any idea how Mike Madigan and his special interests are behind this? Madigan & Getzebdanner co-counsel? /s

Is Bruce still ridin’ his Harley and droppin’ g’s down at the Ocean Reef Club? I saw Diane re-named her nfp.

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:45 pm
Can I buy a “g”, Pat?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 2:53 pm
Hmmm … $1M, approximately 9.9M adults (18 & older) per census estimates. 33% legal fees reduces that to $670k. If every adult filed, each person could claim $0.06 if the payment was also free of transaction costs. But the settlement includes covering the transaction fees, so effectively nothing would get paid to each claimant.

Settlement is a joke …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 3:05 pm
===Waffle House in Oswego===

I’m trying to work with any and ALL who would be willing to help in this endeavor, bringing a Waffle House to Oswego *or* 25 miles or so from my residence.

When I get the Rauner Waffle House gift card, I’d like to use it locally.

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 3:08 pm
Rauner was the Biker Billionaire…in fabulous attire.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 3:18 pm
At least Rauner accepted his loss and went away. That’s somewhat admirable these days.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Jun 17, 21 @ 3:49 pm