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đź’° How to get that Google money

By Sidney Madden | @sidney_madden_

đź’° Illinois Privacy Law

Google is the latest company to be accused of violating the state’s privacy law— and you could get some cash because of it. 

What happened? The tech giant allegedly stored biometric data of users through images uploaded and shared in Google Photos without proper notice and consent, according to the lawsuit.

Illinois’ biometric privacy law is one of the strictest in the country: The state regulates the use and disclosure of data like facial features, fingerprints, and voice patterns. The law lets Illinoisans sue for the alleged violations, prompting lawsuits against big companies.

Google did not admit to the allegations, but agreed to pay $100 million total to eligible Illinois residents as part of the class action settlement, and to comply with the state’s privacy laws in the future.

Close-up of a Google sign on building.
Google’s office in Fulton Market in 2019. (Jose M. Osorio / Tribune / Getty)

How can you get the money? Illinois residents are eligible if they appeared in a photo on the app between May 1, 2015, and April 25, 2022. Claimants could get between $200 and $400, attorneys estimate from past lawsuits, NBC Chicago reported.

Dates to know: 

Aug. 10: Opt out of the settlement but retain legal rights.
Sept. 24: Submit the claim form. 
Sept. 28: Final hearing. (Payments go out 90 days after the settlement is approved.)

Other Illinois biometric privacy lawsuits

Facebook reached a $650 million settlement over digital face scans. 

Six Flags agreed to a $36 million settlement over fingerprint entries. 

Snapchat faces a class-action lawsuit over facial recognition practices.
🏠 Alder’s 30-Year Housing Wait

Ald. Jeanette Taylor first applied for affordable housing in the city in 1993 when she was a young mom raising three kids and working at H&R Block. 

Just last week, the South Side alder shared in a now viral tweet that she had finally been approved for the voucher after almost 30 years.

🎧 Taylor tells us why she thinks the Chicago Housing Authority is failing people who need its services and what needs to change.

State of affordable housing
đź“° Newsfeed

Cook County’s minimum wage increase. Non-tipped workers will make $13.35, up 35 cents, and tipped staffers will make $7.40 an hour, up 20 cents, starting July 1. [CBS Chicago]

Apply to be alder…again. Fill the vacancy left by Ald. Michael Scott Jr. of the 24th Ward after the West Side alder resigned last month for a job at Cinespace Studios, giving Mayor Lori Lightfoot a second aldermanic appointment. Apps close Tuesday. [City of Chicago]

Eat like Lincoln (or pretend to). Trek to Springfield for a Friday cooking demo on Abraham Lincoln’s favorite cake, beer brewing of the era, and more. [Visit Springfield]

Illinois’ most misspelled word is…anniversary. We’ll give it to you, it’s a long word. All hail spell check 🙌 [Google Trends]

🗓️  Weekday Plans

We share weekend plans on Fridays, but why not have fun around the city during the week? Let’s start Mondays with things to do around the 312! 

Today

Unpolitical Women Show in Lakeview. See comedian Lisa Beasley reprise her role as Mayor Lory Litefoot at the Laugh Factory at 8 p.m. ($11–$22)

Tuesday

Chi Hack Night downtown. Join the City Cast team to learn about our first year and to tell us how you consume local news. Head to the Civic Opera Building at 6 p.m., or stream online. (Free)

Thursday

Englewood Nature Community Trail virtual meeting. Chime in about the incoming 1.75-mile path on an unused railroad corridor at 6 p.m. (Free)

Austin Town Hall City Market opens. Get fresh veggies, locally sourced meat, baked goods, and more at Austin Town Hall Park from 1–6 p.m. (Varies)

Prince immersive exhibit opens on Mag Mile. Revisit Prince’s life and work at the pop-up at the Shops at North Bridge from noon to 8 p.m. CCing my mom! ($39.50)

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