Fertility Centers of Illinois $375,000 Privacy Settlement, Claim an Estimated $30 to $60 If You Used fcionline.com (Deadline December 3, 2026)

Fertility Centers of Illinois, PLLC (FCI) has agreed to pay $375,000 to settle a class action claiming its website sent visitors’ information to Facebook and Google without consent. Anyone in the United States who accessed and used www.fcionline.com between September 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024 may be able to claim a payment, estimated at $30 to $60, by December 3, 2026.

The case is L.C. v. Fertility Centers of Illinois, PLLC, Case No. 1:25-cv-02049, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. FCI denies violating any law and settled to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation. The court has granted preliminary approval. Final approval is still pending, with a hearing set for January 13, 2027.

This is a website privacy settlement. It is not a medical malpractice case and it is not a data breach settlement. FCI separately settled a data breach case tied to a February 2021 breach for $450,000. That claim deadline was in June 2023, so it has closed. If you are looking for that one, this is not it.

Fertility Centers of Illinois Privacy Settlement: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Case	L.C. v. Fertility Centers of Illinois, PLLC, No. 1:25-cv-02049
Court	U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Defendant	Fertility Centers of Illinois, PLLC
Class counsel	Bursor & Fisher, P.A.
Settlement fund	$375,000
Who is included	People in the United States who accessed and used www.fcionline.com from September 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024
Estimated payment	$30 to $60 per approved claimant (not guaranteed)
Claim deadline	December 3, 2026
Exclusion (opt-out) deadline	December 3, 2026 (postmarked)
Objection deadline	December 3, 2026
Final approval hearing	January 13, 2027, 10:30 a.m. Central Time
Settlement administrator	Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
Official website	fcionlinesettlement.com
Current status	Preliminary approval granted; final approval pending

What the Lawsuit Against Fertility Centers of Illinois Alleges

FCI runs fertility clinics offering treatments such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and genetic testing. Its website lets patients search for treatments, schedule appointments, pay bills and share personal information.

The plaintiff, identified in court papers as L.C., is a former FCI patient from Chicago who scheduled an appointment through the website in November 2022. She alleges FCI installed three tracking tools on the site: the Meta Pixel, Google Analytics and Google Ads. According to the complaint, those tools passed information about her activity to Meta and Google, including appointment requests, searches for specific doctors and the web addresses she visited. She says she found out when her Facebook account’s off-Facebook activity report showed her visit to FCI’s website.

The complaint also says FCI’s privacy policy promised to keep visitors’ information private and to disclose it only in limited circumstances. It alleges FCI benefited by receiving analytics data it could use to make its marketing more efficient.

The suit was filed on February 27, 2025 and brought four claims:

1. Violation of the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act
2. Negligence
3. Unjust enrichment
4. Violation of the Illinois Eavesdropping Statute

In a December 8, 2025 opinion, Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer denied FCI’s motion to dismiss. She held that the plaintiff had standing and that the negligence, unjust enrichment and eavesdropping claims could go forward. FCI had raised its challenge to the federal wiretap claim too late in the briefing for the court to consider it. The court did not decide whether FCI actually broke any law. The settlement came afterward.

The settlement website describes the lawsuit by reference to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and says the court has not decided who is right.

What Information Was Allegedly Shared With Facebook and Google?

The plaintiff’s allegations center on appointment requests, searches for specific doctors and page addresses visited on fcionline.com. The settlement website refers more generally to personally identifiable information and does not give an item-by-item list of what was sent for every visitor.

It would be inaccurate to say every visitor’s medical records, diagnosis or treatment history was disclosed. Neither the court’s opinion nor the settlement summary establishes that.

Is the FCI Settlement a HIPAA Case?

No. The official settlement materials identify the Electronic Communications Privacy Act as the legal basis, and none of the four claims in the complaint is a HIPAA claim. HIPAA does not give individuals a private right to sue, so privacy cases over website tracking at healthcare providers are usually brought under wiretap, eavesdropping, negligence and similar laws instead. This settlement should be described as a website privacy and electronic communications settlement, not as a HIPAA violation or a data breach.

Laws Behind the Fertility Centers of Illinois Website Privacy Lawsuit

Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2510 et seq.

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which includes the federal Wiretap Act, restricts the interception and disclosure of electronic communications. Section 2511 sets out the prohibited conduct. Section 2520 gives a civil remedy, including statutory damages of the greater of $100 per day of violation or $10,000 for qualifying violations.

A key issue in healthcare website cases is the Wiretap Act’s consent exception in § 2511(2)(d). A party to a communication can generally consent to its interception, but that exception does not apply if the interception is done to commit a criminal or tortious act. Whether that applies to tracking tools on a medical provider’s website is a contested question, and the court in this case has not decided it.

Illinois Eavesdropping Statute, 720 ILCS 5/14-1 et seq.

Illinois’ eavesdropping law restricts recording or intercepting private electronic communications without the consent of the parties. Section 14-6 provides a civil remedy. The plaintiff’s Illinois eavesdropping claim survived FCI’s motion to dismiss.

Negligence and Unjust Enrichment Under Illinois Law

The negligence claim asserts that FCI failed to use reasonable care to protect visitors’ information. The unjust enrichment claim asserts that FCI benefited from analytics data it received through the tracking tools. Both also survived the motion to dismiss. Surviving a motion to dismiss means the claims were legally sufficient to proceed, not that they were proven.

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(e)

A class action settlement in federal court needs court approval under Rule 23(e). The judge must decide whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate before it takes effect. That is the purpose of the January 13, 2027 hearing.

Why FCI Settled Without Admitting Wrongdoing

The settlement website says the parties agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty and expense of continued litigation. That is common in civil cases. A settlement is not a finding that the defendant violated the law.

Who Qualifies for the FCI Website Privacy Settlement

The official class definition covers all persons in the United States who, from September 1, 2020 through December 31, 2024, accessed and used FCI’s website, www.fcionline.com.

You did not need to be an FCI patient. The published definition does not require that you received fertility treatment, had an appointment or became a patient. It is also not limited to Illinois residents.

You will need the Claimant ID printed on your settlement notice to file a claim. If you believe you qualify but did not get a notice or cannot find your ID, contact Kroll Settlement Administration at 833-453-3320 before filing. Visiting the website does not guarantee the administrator will approve a claim, and the claim form and settlement agreement control the actual requirements.

How Much Each FCI Class Member Can Receive

The $375,000 fund is divided among everyone who files a valid claim. Before that happens, the fund pays for attorneys’ fees, litigation costs, administration and notice costs, and a service award to the class representative. What remains is split equally (a pro rata distribution).

Class counsel anticipates payments of approximately $30 to $60 per approved claimant. That is an estimate. The final amount depends on how many valid claims are filed and on the amounts the court approves, so it could land outside that range.

Item	Amount or limit
Total settlement fund	$375,000
Maximum attorneys’ fees requested	$131,250 (35% of the fund)
Maximum litigation expenses requested	$10,000
Maximum service award to the class representative	$10,000
Administration and notice costs	Paid from the fund; final amount not stated in the settlement FAQ
Estimated payment per approved claimant	$30 to $60

These figures are caps. The judge decides the final amounts and can award less. Class counsel’s fee motion is due November 19, 2026, which is before the claim deadline, so class members can see the request before deciding whether to object.

Key Dates in the Fertility Centers of Illinois Settlement

Event	Date	Status
Start of class period	September 1, 2020	Past
End of class period	December 31, 2024	Past
Lawsuit filed	February 27, 2025	Completed
Motion to dismiss denied in part	December 8, 2025	Completed
Settlement reached	August 2026	Completed
Preliminary approval granted	September 14, 2026	Completed
Attorneys’ fee motion due	November 19, 2026	Upcoming
Claim deadline	December 3, 2026	Upcoming
Opt-out deadline (postmarked)	December 3, 2026	Upcoming
Objection deadline	December 3, 2026	Upcoming
Final approval hearing	January 13, 2027, 10:30 a.m. Central	Scheduled
Payments	About 90 days after final approval and any appeals	Date not yet known

The court can move the hearing, so check fcionlinesettlement.com for changes before relying on a date.

How to File a Fertility Centers of Illinois Settlement Claim

You can file online or by mail.

1. Find your Claimant ID on the settlement notice.
2. Open the claim form. Use the online form linked from fcionlinesettlement.com, or print the paper claim form from the website’s documents page.
3. Complete the form and follow the certification instructions. Make sure everything is accurate.
4. Choose a payment method. A paper check is the default. Zelle, PayPal and Venmo are available only on online claims. Checks become void 180 days after they are issued.
5. Submit by December 3, 2026. Online claims must be submitted by that date. Paper claims must be postmarked by that date.

Mail paper claim forms to:

FCI Privacy Settlement c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC P.O. Box 225391 New York, NY 10150-5391

Filing is free and you do not need a lawyer. Keep a copy of your form and any confirmation.

When Will FCI Settlement Payments Be Sent?

According to the settlement FAQ, payments go out 90 days after the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved. Final approval has not happened yet, so there is no guaranteed payment date.

Your Options in the Fertility Centers of Illinois Settlement

File a claim. You receive a share of the fund and, like most class members in settlements of this kind, give up the right to bring your own claims over the conduct covered by the release. Read the release language in the notice on the settlement website before you file.

Opt out. You get no payment and keep whatever right you have to sue FCI on your own over the covered claims. Mail a written request to the administrator at the address above, postmarked by December 3, 2026. State that you want to be excluded from L.C. v. Fertility Centers of Illinois, PLLC, Case No. 1:25-cv-02049, and include your name, address and signature. An individual lawsuit is not guaranteed to succeed or to recover more than the settlement amount.

Object. If you stay in the class but disagree with the settlement, you can object by December 3, 2026. The settlement FAQ says an objection must explain the basis for your class membership and why you object, include contact information, be filed with the court and be sent to class counsel and FCI’s counsel. The court address listed in the FAQ is:

Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse 219 South Dearborn Street, Courtroom 2266 Chicago, IL 60604

Objecting is different from opting out. An objector stays in the class and is still bound if the settlement is approved. You cannot do both.

Do nothing. You receive no payment. If the court approves the settlement and you have not opted out, you will generally still be bound by the release, so skipping the claim form does not preserve your right to sue.

Judges in the L.C. v. Fertility Centers of Illinois Case

Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer wrote the December 8, 2025 opinion denying FCI’s motion to dismiss. The settlement FAQ lists Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes, in Courtroom 2266, for the settlement process, including the final approval hearing. Confirm the assigned judge on the official settlement website before you file an objection.

Other Website Pixel and Privacy Settlements on AllAboutLawyer

Website tracking disputes have produced privacy settlements involving universities, hospitals and other businesses. Each has its own class definition, deadline and payment, and qualifying for one does not qualify you for another.

• University of Phoenix $8.75 Million Pixel Privacy Settlement, Who Qualifies for the $25 Payment, How to Claim and the November 5, 2026 Deadline involves alleged disclosure of student information through website tracking.
• Southern Illinois Healthcare MyChart Privacy Settlement, How To Claim involves allegations about tracking technologies on a healthcare website.
• Fairchild Medical Center $25 Settlement, Deadline Nov 2 shows how eligibility and payments differ between healthcare privacy cases.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Fertility Centers of Illinois $375,000 Settlement

Is the Fertility Centers of Illinois $375,000 settlement legitimate?

Yes. It is court-supervised, L.C. v. Fertility Centers of Illinois, PLLC, Case No. 1:25-cv-02049, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The court has granted preliminary approval. Final approval is pending. File only through the official settlement website, fcionlinesettlement.com.

How much will I get from the Fertility Centers of Illinois settlement?

Class counsel estimates $30 to $60 per approved claimant. The exact amount depends on the number of valid claims and the court-approved deductions from the fund.

What is the deadline to claim, opt out or object in the FCI settlement?

December 3, 2026 for all three. Online claims must be submitted by then, and paper claims and opt-out requests must be postmarked by then.

Do I have to be a fertility patient to qualify?

No. The class definition covers people in the United States who accessed and used www.fcionline.com during the class period. It does not require fertility treatment.

Does the FCI settlement involve a HIPAA violation?

No. The settlement is based on the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and the complaint’s other claims are negligence, unjust enrichment and the Illinois Eavesdropping Statute. None of the claims is a HIPAA claim.

Is this the same as the Fertility Centers of Illinois data breach settlement?

No. The earlier data breach settlement was for $450,000 and concerned a February 2021 breach. Its claim deadline was in June 2023. This settlement concerns alleged tracking tools on the FCI website.

What happens if I miss the December 3, 2026 claim deadline?

Late claims may not be accepted. Contact Kroll if you have a specific problem, but do not assume the deadline will be extended.

When will FCI settlement checks arrive?

About 90 days after final approval and any appeals, according to the settlement FAQ. No payment date is confirmed because final approval has not been granted.

Where can I get help with my FCI settlement claim?

Contact Kroll Settlement Administration LLC at 833-453-3320, or write to FCI Privacy Settlement, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391. Class counsel, Bursor & Fisher, P.A., can be reached at (646) 837-7150. Do not call the court for settlement information.

Official Sources and Legal References

1. Official settlement website and FAQ: https://www.fcionlinesettlement.com/
2. Settlement documents, notice and claim form: https://fcionlinesettlement.com/documents
3. L.C. v. Fertility Centers of Illinois, PLLC, No. 25 C 2049, Memorandum Opinion and Order (N.D. Ill. Dec. 8, 2025): https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10749624/lc-individually-and-on-behalf-of-all-others-similarly-situated-v/
4. Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2510: https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-118/t18/s2510/
5. 18 U.S.C. § 2511: https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-118/t18/s2511/
6. Illinois Eavesdropping Statute, 720 ILCS 5/14: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt%2E+14&ActID=1876&ChapterID=53
7. Claim Depot, “Fertility Centers of Illinois $375,000 Privacy Settlement” (October 22, 2026): https://www.claimdepot.com/settlements/fci-online-settlement
8. Top Class Actions, FCI data breach $450K settlement (December 20, 2022): https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/privacy/data-breach/fertility-centers-of-illinois-data-breach-450k-class-action-settlement/

General consumer information, not legal or medical advice. AllAboutLawyer.com is not a law firm. FCI denies wrongdoing and the court has not decided the merits. Confirm dates on the official settlement website.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the court’s December 8, 2025 opinion, the official settlement website and FAQ run by Kroll Settlement Administration (fcionlinesettlement.com), and published settlement summaries, as of October 23, 2026. Last Updated: October 23, 2026.