Ann Maher News
Collinsville city councilwoman sues city and political rivals over disclosures to media
Collinsville councilwoman Cheryl Brombolich is suing political opponents saying they produced documents about her personal use of a city credit card while she served as city clerk and provided them to a newspaper reporter with the intention of intimidating her from taking office after she was elected last year.
Jurors reach defense verdict in conductor's case against Alton and Southern Railway
St. Clair County jurors returned a verdict for Alton and Southern Railway last week in a trial involving a railroad conductor's personal injury suit.
Candidates for Fifth District and Twentieth Judicial raise mostly modest sums in first quarter
First quarter fund-raising by candidates for the Fifth District Appellate Court was most active in Judge Brad Bleyer's campaign, according to records from the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Former conductor's personal injury case against Alton and Southern goes to trial in St. Clair County
Jurors were being picked in St. Clair County Circuit Judge Andrew Gleeson's court Tuesday for a trial involving a railroad conductor's personal injury case against Alton and Southern Railway.
Judges' ballot access is a question 'ripe' for adjudication, brief says
Whether three St. Clair County circuit judges have the option of running for election over retention is "still very much alive" and a question that is ripe for adjudication, according to a reply brief filed Friday at the Fourth District Appellate Court.
Granite City not liable for dog bite suffered by missing woman during search and rescue mission
The Fifth District Appellate Court has sided with a Granite City police dog, whose search and rescue efforts entangled him in a Madison County personal injury suit.
I-LAW hosts lawsuit reform rally in Springfield; ITLA responds that lawsuit abuse is not a problem
Legal reform supporters gathered in Springfield today to lobby legislators in support of Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposal to stop "venue shopping."
Judges say Cook's ballot challenge is moot post-primary; Oral arguments tentatively set June 7
An attorney defending three St. Clair County judges from a challenge to their candidacies says the case is moot because the primary election has already come and gone.
Former SIUE chancellor among highest paid SURS' beneficiaries
Former Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville chancellor David Werner is among the highest paid beneficiaries of a state pension system that has $22.4 billion in unfunded liability.
TUA: Illinois taxpayers pay exponentially more than 'multi-millionaire pensioners' into SERS
For every dollar that an employee enrolled in the State Employee Retirement System (SERS) pays into their own retirement fund, taxpayers are forced to pay $6.78, according to analysis conducted by a taxpayers' watchdog group.
Voter turnout in St. Clair County nearly double from '12; Increases benefit both sides in local judicial races
Voter turnout in St. Clair County yesterday was almost double what it was in the 2012 presidential primary, up from 19 to 37 percent.
Shimkus wins Republican nomination in 15th Congressional District
Congressman John Shimkus of Collinsville has fended off a challenge from rival State Sen. Kyle McCarter of Lebanon to win the Republican nomination in the 15th Congressional District. No Democrat candidates sought their party's nomination, meaning Shimkus will likely be unopposed in the November general election and coast to an 11th term in office.
St. Clair County jurors rule for State Farm in fire claim suit; Plaintiff had sought to 'teach industry a lesson'
St. Clair County jurors found in favor of State Farm Insurance Friday night in a fraud lawsuit brought by Belleville building owner Ronnie Phillips.
At trial: Belleville building owner's suit against State Farm seeking additional payment on fire claim
The owner of a downtown Belleville building that burned to the ground in May 2010 is arguing at trial that he should be paid an additional $1.6 million for property loss and $1.64 in punitive damages from State Farm Insurance Co.
Haine and Haida among top IMRF beneficiaries in state; Though adequately funded, critic says pension system 'just as efficient at stealing taxpayer wealth'
The top Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) beneficiaries in Madison and St. Clair counties are among the state's highest paid. And both of them - a lawmaker and a judge - are accruing benefits in other pension systems that will provide even more tax payer-supported income for life when they retire a second time.
Madison County jury finds for defendants in softball player's injury case
Madison County jurors on Wednesday found in favor of a softball tournament organizer who was sued more than seven years ago by a player who got hurt while covering first base.
Taxpayers' advocate trounces Illinois Teachers Retirement System: 'Nothing compares to its fraud, waste and abuse'
Former O'Fallon Township High School Superintendent Russell Clover who earns $185,465 in retirement is among the highest paid beneficiaries of the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), according to the Taxpayers United of America (TUA).
A tale of two judicial evaluations: ICJL pans three St. Clair County judges with 'not recommended' ratings
Voters in the five-county Twentieth Judicial Circuit have another judicial candidate scorecard to consider - one that runs counter to a poll released last week by the state bar organization.
AFP Illinois says voters should reject Cahokia annexation plan; Affected property owners would pay 38 percent more in taxes
A national organization that seeks to promote limited government, lower taxes and more freedom has weighed in on an upcoming ballot initiative in the small, yet lately controversial, village of Cahokia.
All but one appellate court candidates rated 'highly qualified'; Barberis says panelist who interviewed him was an official he didn't re-appoint
Three of four judicial candidates seeking a seat at the Fifth District Appellate Court have been rated highly qualified by evaluators at the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).