On December 10, 2008, the Court granted final approval of the settlement amount of $5.2 million in the class action Maria Belbis, et al. v. County of Cook, Case No. 04 C 3940 (N.D. Ill.) and $200,000 in Loveless, et al. v. County of Cook, Case No. 04 C 3939 (N.D. Ill.).

This is the second set of certified classes and approved settlements in 5 years against Cook County on behalf of essentially the same class of nurses throughout the Cook County Bureau of Health for unpaid overtime.  The first settlement for nurses in 2003 was in the amount of $4 million, and included only Stroger Hospital nurses.

Lead counsel for these class actions is Christopher N. Mammel.

Maria Belbis, et al. v. County of Cook, Case No. 04 C 3940 (N.D. Ill.) - Final Order Approving Settlement and Certification of Rule 23 Settlement Class

Loveless, et al. v. County of Cook, Case No. 04 C 3939 (N.D. Ill.) - Final Order Approving Settlement and Certification of Rule 23 Settlement Class

An initial mailing of the Notice of Class Action Determination, Class Description, Proposed Settlement, and Hearing on Settlement and required Claim Form has been completed.  At this time, the Class Administrator is processing the class data in preparation of the distribution of the settlement funds.

Any nurse who has received a claim form from the Class Administrator is on the list of potentially eligible class members.  If you wish to be considered as part of this Class, you must submit a Claim Form for determination of your final eligibility and inclusion.

If you have not received a Claim Form, and believe you are a class member, please immediately contact the Class Administrator, CPT Group at (877) 589-1554 or follow this link to request more information and download a Claim Form. 
http://www.cptgroup.com/cases/CCcaseDetail.asp?caseCASysID=257

Please note if you want to remain a part of the Class and receive a settlement payment, you must return a Claim Form on or before April 1, 2009 to receive any money from the class action settlement fund. 

Potentially eligible class members who have not yet submitted claim forms are identified on the CN1, CN2, LPN2 link, or the Nurse Coordinators link below. If your name is on this list, please immediately contact CPT Group at (877) 589-1554 or follow this link to request more information and download a Claim Form. 
http://www.cptgroup.com/cases/CCcaseDetail.asp?caseCASysID=257