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Suburban Chicago man sues over McDonald’s ‘value meal’ price

This photo provided by McDonald's shows a breakfast Happy Meal.  McDonald's is considering another addition to its all-day breakfast menu: Happy Meals. The fast-food chain says it will begin testing breakfast Happy Meals in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sept. 26. The Happy Meals come with either two McGriddles cakes or an egg and cheese McMuffin.(McDonalds via AP)
This photo provided by McDonald's shows a breakfast Happy Meal. McDonald's is considering another addition to its all-day breakfast menu: Happy Meals. The fast-food chain says it will begin testing breakfast Happy Meals in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sept. 26. The Happy Meals come with either two McGriddles cakes or an egg and cheese McMuffin.(McDonalds via AP) This photo provided by McDonald's shows a breakfast Happy Meal. McDonald's is considering another addition to its all-day breakfast menu: Happy Meals. The fast-food chain says it will begin testing breakfast Happy Meals in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sept. 26. The Happy Meals come with either two McGriddles cakes or an egg and cheese McMuffin.(McDonalds via AP)

CHICAGO (AP) — A suburban Chicago man is suing McDonald’s restaurants in two Illinois counties, arguing cheeseburger “Extra Value Meals” are actually more expensive than when the items are purchased separately.

James Gertie of Des Plaines tells The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald that bundling two cheeseburgers, medium french fries and a drink at $5.90 is 41 cents more than when individual items are purchased.

Gertie, a bus driver, says his lawsuit filed this month is about principle, not 41 cents.

He seeks class-action status for a consumer fraud and deceptive practices lawsuit against McDonald’s operator Karis Management Co.

The complaint seeks an injunction to keep McDonald’s from pricing value meals higher than items purchased separately.

Des Plaines-based Karis operates McDonald’s restaurants in nine cities. Representatives from McDonald’s and Karis didn’t return messages.