Ann Knef News
MLK bridge crash suit filed in St. Clair County
A grim reminder of a fiery crash that claimed four lives and shut down the Martin Luther King Bridge on Nov. 12, 2004, showed up in St. Clair County Circuit Court on March 22.
Tuned out voters didn't turn out in primary
Republican Jim Oberweis hammered away at his primary rivals, aiming his strongest attacks at Judy Baar Topinka. Oberweis' downstate campaign was well-organized and vigorous. In Madison and St. Clair counties, he received 63 percent more votes than Topinka. Family dysfunction in the GOP and an unwelcome snow storm on the first day of spring contributed to an abysmally low voter turn-out in the primary election March 21.
Peel indicted on bankruptcy fraud, obstruction of justice, child pornography charges
Gary Peel Attorney Gary E. Peel has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of bankruptcy fraud, obstruction of justice and two counts of possession of child pornography.
Class Action Fairness Act: Is it working?
Bob Ambrogi Has the Class Action Fairness Act, which makes it more difficult to file complaints in state courts, had its desired effect on the nation's legal system?
Bar patron shot 12 times claims permanent injuries
A man who was shot 12 times by an intoxicated patron at the Four Aces night club in East St. Louis is suing the club's owners and the shooter for his severe and permanent injuries.
St. Louis firm files new batch of claims against ICR
A St. Louis attorney who brought more than 20 lung injury lawsuits against railroads in the Metro-East last year has unleashed another bundle of claims against Illinois Central Railroad in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Edwardsville businessman to run as write-in treasurer candidate
An Edwarsdville businessman is running as a Republican write-in candidate for Madison County treasurer in the March 21 primary.
ISMIE ordered to keep rates down
Stephen Burger, M.D. The state's largest medical malpractice insurer has been directed to "target" a rate reduction of 3.5 percent beginning next year. And, in a report issued Tuesday, the Illinois Division of Insurance ordered ISMIE Mutal not to raise its premiums in 2006-2007.
WSJ commentary takes a stab at 'dumbstruck' silicosis docs
"Lawyered up and hunkered down" is how the Wall Street Journal described asbestos and silicosis diagnosing doctors who took the 5th Amendment before a congressional committee last week.
McGlynn fields range of questions on IllinoisJudges.net
Appellate Court Judge Steve McGlynn Even though most voters will have no choice in the primary election that looms a week away, a vault of information about Illinois' 165 judicial candidates can be found in a single search at IllinoisJudges.net.
D-2: Cash flows in appellate court primary race
Stephen McGlynn The Metro-East judicial candidate with the most cash is also the only one running in a contested race.
Silicosis diagnosing doctors take the 5th in congressional hearing
Joe Barton, R-Tx. After a medical expert and law professor tore apart the validity of national asbestos and silicosis litigation before a congressional committee Wednesday, doctors responsible for diagnosing nearly 10,000 disputed claims chose to remain silent.
Karmeier's 'Avery' vote won't be heard by U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this week refused to hear whether Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier's participation in a landmark ruling in favor of State Farm Insurance was improper.
Appellate court affirms Mendelsohn, reduces damages
The Fifth District Appellate Court has affirmed a Madison County verdict in favor of a woman whose car was wrongfully repossessed, but modified the judgment by reducing punitive damages from $500,000 to $225,000.
Estate sues nursing home for resident's demise
Lebanon nursing home Cedar Ridge Healthcare Center is being sued in St. Clair County Circuit Court over allegations it violated the Nursing Home Care Act, leading to the death of a resident.
Woman's estate sues public officials for icy road, deadly accident
Reshelle Summers, as personal representative of the estate of Mary Carter, is suing a slew of public officials and entities over an auto accident death last year in East St. Louis.
Class action suits and proposed task force could choke out atrazine
Alex Avery If product liability claims against major chemical companies prevail and state legislators attempt to restrict the most commonly applied herbicide used by corn growers, Illinois agriculture is in trouble.
Manpower employee claims retaliatory discharge
Manpower employee Belinda K. Reeves of Belleville, who was temporarily totally disabled from a thumb injury, claims she was wrongfully fired after returning to work following a three-and-a-half week absence.
Maddox selected to serve remainder of Moran's term
Madison County Associate Judge Lola Maddox has come out of retirement to fill the remaining term of Circuit Judge George Moran, Jr.
Record seeks dismissal of Peel's suit
The Record newspaper and one of its reporters claim that a Madison County civil lawsuit brought by bankrupt attorney Gary Peel based on an article in the Record should be thrown out of court.