Ann Knef News
Mayors expected to issue protest letter over STAR bonds proposal
Eckert A group of Metro-East mayors will be calling on state law makers to reject legislation that would funnel state sales tax to developers of a 900-acre retail development in Glen Carbon.
Crowder could serve as Madison County's next asbestos judge
Stack Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder could become the court's next asbestos judge when Circuit Judge Daniel Stack leaves the post he has held since 2004.
Stack reversed in granting Cassens & Sons summary judgment
Wexstten Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack "erroneously" granted summary judgment in favor of Cassens & Sons of Edwardsville in an injury lawsuit brought by trucker Mark Graham, according to appellate court justices.
Appellate court orders Madison County mutual funds class action be dismissed
The Fifth District Appellate Court has ordered that a Madison County mutual funds class action be dismissed.
Judicial candidates running in 3rd and 20th are 'recommended' in ISBA poll
Haida Judicial candidates running in the Third and Twentieth Judicial Circuits are "recommended" for office, according to a poll conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association.
Some mayors not on board with revised STAR bonds proposal
Even though nearby municipalities would share in new property tax revenue generated by the development of a 900-acre retail project in Glen Carbon, some local mayors are still strongly opposed to the controversial University Town Center.
Legal fees top $2.2 million in '09 for some state offices
State government offices spent at least $2.2 million in legal fees in 2009, according to the website IllinoisOpenGov.org.
Unopposed judicial candidates assured victory in Madison, St. Clair counties
Mudge In less than one month, the Illinois primary election will determine whose campaigns will carry on to the all-important November 2010 general election in a slew of statewide and local races.
St. Clair County Circuit Clerk Brendan Kelly is 'Person of the Year'
Brendan Kelly In his first full year as St. Clair County Circuit Clerk, Brendan Kelly has made vast improvements to an office that keeps records of all court filings, serves hundreds of thousands of customers annually and manages $4 million in fees and fines.
Proft says tax cuts, spending freeze is way to lead Illinois
Proft Six weeks to go before the Illinois primary election, Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft may lag in the polls, but he believes the political landscape will undergo dramatic shifts before voters make up their minds.
Caps decision may be another month away
The Illinois Supreme Court may not rule for another month on the constitutionality of the state's medical malpractice reform law.
Report: Illinois Supreme Court delays announcement on caps
The Illinois Supreme Court is delaying its announcement on the constitutionality of a state law that limits medical malpractice damages, according to a report in Crain's.
Tort reformers react to Madison and St. Clair counties watchlist designation
Murnane During the peak of its asbestos and class action filings, Madison County for three years straight was considered the No. 1 "Judicial Hellhole" in the nation.
Madison and St. Clair counties on 'Hellhole' watch list
The American Tort Reform Association's 2009 "Judicial Hellholes" report released today places Madison County and St. Clair counties on the group's "watch" list.
Blagojevich had signed caps on damages bill into law
Blagojevich signs bill into law in 2005. More than four years since medical malpractice reform was enacted in Illinois, stakeholders anxiously await a state Supreme Court decision on its constitutionality.
Caps on damages opinion to be released Thursday
The Illinois Supreme Court is expected to release its opinion on the constitutionality of medical malpractice damage caps on Thursday morning, according to a notice posted by the court earlier this evening.
Class actions on the rise in St. Clair, Madison counties
Murnane New class action filings in St. Clair County have tripled since last year, from four in 2008 to 12 so far this year.
Wreaths Across America ceremony set Dec. 12 at Alton National Cemetery
In national cemeteries across America the graves of hundreds of thousands of veterans will be adorned with Christmas wreaths during ceremonies set to take place simultaneously Saturday, Dec. 12.
Asbestos trial setting will be modified in Madison County
Stack With little more than a year to serve before his term expires in December 2010, Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack said he plans to make a big change to the court's asbestos standing order.
Money and 'vicious' politics make for uncontested races, former judge says
Weber Money is a big reason why 2010 judicial races in Madison and St. Clair counties are uncontested, according to a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for circuit judge in Madison County in 2006.