In Michigan, Jacob Fallman works as an advocate with the Sugar Law Center, working on behalf of claimants in accessing the state’s UI system. The center handles more than 200 UI cases a year, and the majority of those cases involve appeals once workers have initially been denied benefits. Michigan requires claimants to first create a state Single Sign-On (SSO) account and enter a Social Security Number before they start applying for UI benefits. Once an account is created, an individual can start applying for UI and is prompted to submit additional forms of identity verification, like a driver’s license, to complete the application. This creates several challenging steps for claimants ahead of claim filing. … see full story at Georgetown University, Beeck Center
Michigan suit is challenging denial of lost wages for injured undocumented immigrants
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the nonprofit organization Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and contends the organization’s resources are being depleted by the volume of injured undocumented workers seeking legal assistance. Every year, the nonprofit takes on more than 1,500 cases like these.
“They have to use resources, to meet, talk, explain the law,” said attorney John Philo from the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. “But also to try and help them out… if there’s a dispute on the medical bills to help them with the medical coverage.” … See full story at NPR
West side concrete crusher could still be shut down
Liz Jacob, a staff attorney at the Sugar Law Center for Social and Economic Justice and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, said “there is no doubt” that the concrete crusher is a nuisance to residents. …See full story at Bridge Detroit
Community continues fight to shut down northwest Detroit concrete crusher
he Sugar Law Center for Social and Economic Justice and the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Schoolcraft Improvement Association in support of the city’s case.
“Through this amicus brief, community members will be able to have their stories shared with the court and show just how devastating this concrete crusher has been on their community,” said Liz Jacob, environmental justice attorney at the Sugar Law Center for Social and Economic Justice, in a news release. “We are honored to support the members of the Schoolcraft Improvement Association in their fight against this dangerous concrete crusher that threatens their health, livelihoods and well-being.” … see full article at WDET
Local News Detroit City Council to vote on tax breaks for Henry Ford Health Hospital expansion
"It's not equitable. It's not responsible to take the tax dollars the least of these are paying and divert them away from public use to subsidize a billionaire owner's wealth. That's not right," Tonya Myers Phillips, Community Partnerships & Development Director at the Sugar Law Center, said. "We're not anti-hospital expansion. What we are asking for is fairness and equity and for our public servants to use our money for public good." … see full story at CBS News Detroit
Detroit City Council to vote on incentives for $3B New Center development
“The hospital itself is not tie-barred; it’s not connected to the incentives request," said attorney Tonya Myers Phillips of the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. "We’re going to get a new hospital no matter what." … see full article at Detroit Free Press
'Unbelievably frustrating': Jobless aid appointment waits vexing some Michigan claimants
Advocates who help unemployed people with their claims said the portal's confusing prompts have frustrated "dozens to hundreds" of claimants trying to work through issues with their claims — and serve as a reminder that the agency has yet to fix longstanding problems with confusing directives issued to claimants.
"It's unbelievably frustrating," said Tony Paris, lead attorney at Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. … see full story at Detroit News
The Detroit Future of Health development's nine-digit gap controversy
What's happening: Developers have said in public meetings that they're providing $604 million worth of benefits for nearby residents, including $90 million to operate the new research center and $300 million in uncompensated care costs.
Yes, but: Tonya Myers Phillips, community partnerships and development director with Sugar Law Center, which helped advocate for the Community Benefits Ordinance in 2016 and still monitors its use, analyzes the total as just $9 million. … see full story at AXIOS Detroit
Detroiters are outmatched in city’s community benefits process. What could change?
Tonya Myers Phillips has helped community groups navigate the process and wants to see them have more time and put an end to developer “double-dipping” …. see fiull story at Outlier Media
Michigan cosmetology school agrees to $2.8M settlement after unpaid labor dispute
A judge has approved a $2.8 million settlement in a dispute over unpaid work performed by aspiring hair stylists at a Michigan cosmetology school.
Roughly 1,500 people will get some compensation for cleaning floors, washing towels and stocking shelves when they were students at Douglas J Aveda Institute, attorney John Philo said Monday.
The Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice filed a class-action lawsuit, alleging violations of federal labor law. Philo said the work performed by students was not directly connected to their cosmetology education. … see full story at CBS News