This $300,000 Seafood City settlement covers certain Illinois workers who used hand-scan timekeeping. No claim was required, but the official site still shows preliminary approval after the June 2026 hearing and does not post a final ruling.
Current Status
The opt-out and objection deadline passed June 1, 2026, and the final approval hearing was scheduled for June 17, 2026. The official administrator site still says the court must decide whether to approve the settlement and does not post a final approval order. Eligible noticed workers do not file claims; checks are expected only if approval becomes final.
What Was the Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit alleged that SFC Foods Chicago, doing business as Seafood City Supermarkets, collected, stored, or otherwise handled Illinois workers' hand-scan data for timekeeping without first providing the disclosures and obtaining the written consent required by the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.
Seafood City denied violating BIPA and denied wrongdoing. The proposed settlement avoids further litigation without a finding that the company is liable.
Who Is Included?
The proposed class includes people who worked at a Seafood City location in Illinois and scanned a hand or handprint for timekeeping at any point from January 22, 2019 through May 22, 2024. Notices were sent to workers identified from company records.
A person who timely excluded themselves is not entitled to a payment and is not bound by the settlement's release.
How Much Could Class Members Receive?
Seafood City agreed to make a $300,000 settlement fund available. The notice estimated an equal gross share of about $751.87 for each class member before deductions. After proposed administration costs, court-approved fees and costs, and the requested service award, the administrator estimated a net payment of approximately $417 per person.
The $417 figure is an estimate, not a guaranteed check amount. The final amount depends on the deductions approved by the court and the final class count.
Why Is There No Claim Form?
This is an automatic-payment structure. A person identified as a class member remains included unless they timely opted out, and no separate claim form is required. If the settlement becomes final, the administrator plans to mail checks using the address information in its records.
When Would Payments Be Sent?
The notice anticipated checks within 28 days after the approval order becomes final. That clock is not the same as the hearing date: it depends on an entered final approval order and any additional finality requirements. Because the official site has not posted that order, this page does not treat payments as authorized or issued.
Settlement checks, when issued, are expected to expire 120 days after issuance under the notice.
What Should Class Members Do?
There is no claim to file. A noticed worker who changed addresses or needs to check the class record should use the contact page on the official settlement website. The administrator, not OpenClassActions, controls address updates and eligibility records.
Sources
- Official Seafood City BIPA Settlement website
- Official FAQ, class definition, and payment estimate
- Official settlement documents
