ULH Biometric Class Action Expands: Illinois BIPA Violations

A federal judge in Illinois has granted class action status to a lawsuit filed against Universal Logistics Holdings' subsidiary Universal Intermodal Services over alleged violations of the state's strict Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The case, originally filed in 2021 by driver Brandon Willis, centers on the company's use of fingerprint scanners at its Harvey, Illinois facility without obtaining proper written consent from workers. The class now encompasses not only Universal employees but also non-employees—particularly workers from staffing agencies and the LINC subsidiary—who had their biometric data collected since March 2016, potentially creating significant liability exposure. This development carries substantial weight for the trucking and logistics industry.

Illinois' BIPA, amended as recently as 2024, is widely recognized as the nation's most stringent biometric privacy law. A prior settlement with in-cab camera company Lytx resulted in per-driver payouts between $650–$850, suggesting the potential financial scope of this expanded class action. With "most" of the affected workers being non-direct employees, the court's decision to broaden the class significantly increases Universal's exposure and establishes troubling precedent for how logistics companies manage worker data across complex operational arrangements involving third-party staffing and subsidiary employment. For supply chain and logistics professionals, this case signals rising compliance obligations around biometric data collection and heightened legal risk for companies operating in jurisdictions with privacy laws.

The 10-year lookback period (from March 2016 to present) underscores that legacy practices face retroactive scrutiny. Firms relying on biometric systems for time-tracking, access control, or safety monitoring must immediately audit their consent documentation and operational practices, particularly in high-risk states like Illinois.