The Connor Group fingerprint time clocks $237K class action settlement

The Connor Group agreed to pay over $237,000 as part of a settlement to resolve claims it violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) with fingerprint clock-in systems. 

The settlement benefits individuals who worked for The Connor Group in Illinois and had their biometric information collected by the company without first signing a written consent form between Feb. 28, 2017, and April 8, 2022.

The Connor Group is a real estate investment firm that operates luxury apartment buildings around the country including in major cities such as Austin, Texas; Atlanta; Minneapolis; Chicago; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Dallas; Denver; Tampa, Florida; San Antonio; Indianapolis; and Nashville, Tennessee. 

According to a class action lawsuit from current and former employees, The Connor Group violated BIPA by using fingerprint- and/or hand-scan time clock systems. Although these systems are not inherently illegal in Illinois, state laws require businesses to get consumer consent and provide specific disclosures before collecting and storing biometrics such as fingerprints. The Connor Group allegedly failed to comply with these requirements.

The Connor Group hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing under BIPA but agreed to a $237,600 class action settlement to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive an equal share of the net settlement fund. 

Exact payments will vary depending on the number of participating class members and the net settlement fund after deductions. According to the settlement website, each class member is estimated to receive $452.

The Connor Group also agreed to comply with BIPA and provide all required disclosed and consents required by the law when collecting and storing biometric data. This injunctive relief will ensure no further BIPA violations occur.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Jan. 3, 2023. 

The final approval hearing for the Connor Group settlement is scheduled for Jan. 24, 2023.

Class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive their share of the settlement fund. Class members have until Feb. 21, 2023, to submit a change-of-address form to ensure their payment is sent to the correct location.

No claim form is required to benefit from the settlement.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who worked for The Connor Group in Illinois and had their biometric information collected by the company without first signing a written consent form between Feb. 28, 2017, and April 8, 2022

Potential Award

$452

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Exclusion Deadline

01/03/2023

Case Name

Cruz, et al. v. The Connor Group LLC, Case No. 1:22-CV-01966
in the U.S. Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Final Hearing

01/24/2023

Settlement Website

CruzBIPASettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Cruz BIPA Settlement
P.O. Box 2002
Chanhassen, MN 55317-2002
info@CruzBIPASettlement.com
844-433-5220

Class Counsel

Philip L Fraietta
Joseph I Marchese
Julia K Venditti
BURSOR & FISHER PA

Defense Counsel