Federal Court
Rosenstengel tosses cases set for trial in Paraquat litigation, excludes plaintiffs' primary expert witness
EAST ST. LOUIS - Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel excluded epidemiologist Martin Wells from a witness stand where he alone would have testified that weed killer paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease.
Lawsuits
Illinois Supreme Court rejects appeal challenging pretrial detention for man charged with firearm violations
Federal Court
Proposed statewide class action in Southern District court challenges constitutionality of tax deed foreclosures
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois counties violate the U.S. Constitution when they hold and sell liens on properties with overdue taxes, former homeowners and a business in East St. Louis alleged at district court on April 10.
Legislation
Prenzler petitions to include multi-gender restroom advisory question on November ballot
Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler is collecting signatures for a petition to put an advisory question of public policy on the November ballot for voters within Edwardsville School District 7 regarding the new gender neutral restrooms planned for Edwardsville High School and Lincoln Middle School.
It’s simply poor investing – risky Chinese bonds at low interest rates – missed interest and a portfolio valued $12 million below cost.
State Court
Progressive Universal Insurance sues Tori Lonsdale, Cara Lonsdale, Pamela Green, and Chemical Concepts for lack of insurance coverage
Progressive Universal Insurance Co. has filed an appeal against the interlocutory order granted to defendant Pamela Green, Tori Lonsdale, Cara Lonsdale, and Chemical Concepts Inc., by the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois (Case No. 23-MR-167) on November 3, 2023.
State Court
Juan Reyes sues Randy Brinegar for denial of motion for subpoenas and reconsideration
Juan Reyes has filed an appeal against Randy Brinegar in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District.
State Court
Ron & Mark Ward sues Bank of Herrin for breach of contract and seeking injunctive relief
In the case of Ron & Mark Ward, LLC; RLW & MLW, LLC; Ward Chrysler Center, Inc.; Ronald L. Ward; and Mark L. Ward (Plaintiffs) vs Bank of Herrin (Defendant), filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District under case ID 21-MR-107 on March 20, 2024, the plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction against the defendant's default remedies on certain loan documents.
State Court
Jamal Shehadeh sues The City of Taylorville for violation of the Freedom of Information Act
In the case of Jamal Shehadeh vs The City of Taylorville, filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District under the court case ID 5-22-0829, a decision was delivered on March 22, 2024.
State Court
Norman Conrad, Nancy Thouvenin, and Charles Conrad sue Tauna R. Conrad and Cory M. Conrad for dispute over repurchase rights to real estate
The lawsuit, filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District (Case ID: 5-23-0403), on March 7, 2024, involves plaintiffs Norman Conrad, Nancy Thouvenin, and Charles Conrad against defendants Tauna R. Conrad and Cory M. Conrad.
State Court
Cheryl Wilson sues Amit Dande and Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants for alleged negligence leading to Leslie Wilson's death
In the case of Cheryl Wilson, Special Administrator of the Estate of Leslie Wilson, Deceased vs. Amit Dande, M.D., and Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, LLP filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District (Case No. 17-L-22), a judgment was delivered on February 20, 2024.
State Court
Country Mutual Insurance Company sues Gary Gang Xu, Xingjian Sun, Xing Zhao, and Ao Wang for a declaratory judgment on insurance coverage
In the case of Country Mutual Insurance Company vs. Gary Gang Xu, Xingjian Sun, Xing Zhao, and Ao Wang (case ID: 5-22-0287), filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District on March 4th, 2024.
Lawsuits
Maintenance worker alleges wrongful termination for reporting racist comments at Collinsville American Legion
BENTON - Gregory Clark, a white grandfather of black children, claims American Legion Post 365 in Collinsville fired him for reporting a white co-worker’s racist comments.
Lawsuits
Mother alleges negligent care during labor and delivery
EDWARDSVILLE - A mother claims her child suffered severe injuries due to negligent labor and delivery at Anderson Hospital.
Illinois Supreme Court rejects appeal challenging pretrial detention for man charged with firearm violations
The Illinois Supreme Court has declined to hear criminal defendant Demontez Spruill’s appeal challenging the Fifth District Appellate Court’s order denying pretrial release for weapons violations
Norfolk Southern settles Ohio train derailment case for $600 million, pursues third party complaint
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Following a $600 million settlement, Norfolk Southern switched positions from defendant in an explosion suit to plaintiff seeking contribution from three sources.
Objection: Dental patient allegedly 'judge shopped' after dismissing claim on eve of trial, refiling and seeking new judge
An Alton dentist and dental practice argue that Illinois Supreme Court precedent prohibits a former patient from “judge shopping” by voluntarily dismissing her complaint prior to trial, refiling it and then seeking a new judge.
Maintenance worker alleges wrongful termination for reporting racist comments at Collinsville American Legion
BENTON - Gregory Clark, a white grandfather of black children, claims American Legion Post 365 in Collinsville fired him for reporting a white co-worker’s racist comments.
Mother alleges negligent care during labor and delivery
EDWARDSVILLE - A mother claims her child suffered severe injuries due to negligent labor and delivery at Anderson Hospital.
Haine releases SAO 2023 annual report for insight on how 'tax dollars are put to work in the cause of justice'
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine released his office’s annual report for 2023 on Tuesday, highlighting the State’s Attorney’s Office’s “stellar accomplishments” in upholding the law and advocating for justice.
Gun advocates seek summary judgment in constitutional challenge to state's "Carry Ban" for gun owners under age 21
Gun advocates and their members under the age of 21 are asking the court to grant summary judgment in their constitutional challenge against Illinois’ “Carry Ban” for gun owners between the ages of 18 and 20.
Maag files expert witness list disclosure in challenge to 'assault weapons' ban
Wood River attorney Thomas Maag filed an expert witness disclosure on behalf of the Langley plaintiffs in their constitutional challenge to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s law banning so-called “assault weapons.”
Raoul asks IL Supreme Court to dismiss cross-appeal on claim that firearm liability law violated the three readings rule
In response to a challenge to the state's firearm liability law, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to dismiss Wood River attorney Thomas Maag's cross-appeal on the three readings rule for lack of jurisdiction.
St. Clair County jurors reach $60 million verdict in trial against Mead Johnson; Reckitt ‘stands by the safety’ of its formula products
A St. Clair County jury returned a $60 million verdict against Mead Johnson in the nation’s first trial on allegations that its Enfamil infant formula caused the death of a premature baby.
Stobbs announces associate judge vacancy in Third Judicial Circuit; Slemer set to retire Aug. 2
Madison County Chief Judge Stephen Stobbs announced an associate judge vacancy for the Third Judicial Circuit due to the impending retirement of Associate Judge Ronald R. Slemer.
Jay Keeven slated to run on Republican ticket for House District 112 against Democrat Katie Stuart
Troy City Administrator and former Edwardsville Police Chief Jay Keevan announced today that he is running on the Republican ticket for Illinois’ 112th House District against Democrat incumbent Katie Stuart.
Prenzler petitions to include multi-gender restroom advisory question on November ballot
Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler is collecting signatures for a petition to put an advisory question of public policy on the November ballot for voters within Edwardsville School District 7 regarding the new gender neutral restrooms planned for Edwardsville High School and Lincoln Middle School.
KCIC: Madison, St. Clair Counties were top asbestos jurisdiction in 2023; Cook County saw greatest increase
Madison and St. Clair Counties again saw the most asbestos case filings for 2023 nationwide, and Cook County saw the highest increase in filings according to a report by KCIC, a Washington D.C.-based technology and management consulting company.
St. Louis attorney cautions lawyers about using AI for research, but says it could still be used effectively
ST. LOUIS – Lawyers who trusted Chat GPT for artificial intelligence cited fake cases and a judge fined them $5,000, Paige Tungate of Downey Law Group reported to asbestos lawyers at HarrisMartin's annual Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference on Sept. 20.
Juan Reyes sues Randy Brinegar for denial of motion for subpoenas and reconsideration
Juan Reyes has filed an appeal against Randy Brinegar in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District.
Class action alleges Auffenberg dealerships profit from reducing commission values
A class action filed in U.S. District Court alleges Auffenberg dealerships “skimmed” fees from used car sales before calculating commissions for employees.
Judges challenge IL Tier 2 pension reforms, say law was approved and applied unconstitutionally
If successful, the lawsuit could undo a key pension reform law, which many have credited with helping the state better balance its financially troubled pension systems. It also joins a growing list of challenges claiming lawmakers routinely approve controversial laws unconstitutionally
ARDC issues complaint against Duebbert over investigation resulting in exoneration of murder suspect
SPRINGFIELD – Attorney regulators filed a complaint against Ron Duebbert on May 5, over conduct that cost him his job as circuit judge.