Ann Maher News
Lawsuit says municipal funding of private water company is not legal
A lawsuit filed at Macoupin County circuit court last week claims that a private water company created by the city of Carlinville, village of Dorchester and Jersey County Rural Water Co.. and the public funding it receives. is not legal.
Local radio personality/candidate disavowed by GOP lashes out at being censured
Radio personality and Republican candidate for state Senate Bob Romanik said on air today that he didn't "give a damn" about action the county GOP organization took last week in condemning his candidacy.
Janus v. AFSCME oral arguments scheduled Monday
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Janus v. AFSCME on Feb. 26, in a case challenging the constitutionality of compulsory union dues for state government workers.
Civil justice reforms proposed in House include venue reform, joint and several liability and judicial retention
SPRINGFIELD - Legislation that would restrict judges from seeking election to their own seats has been refiled after dying in a previous session of the Illinois General Assembly.
Battle for Metro-East House seat between Meier and Moore intensifies
When an incumbent state rep candidate claims opposition forces want him dead and the opposition candidate accuses the incumbent's team of hiring a private investigator to follow his wife around town, it might just be a Tier One race.
Rare GOP primary contest for St. Clair County judgeship goes negative
Republican voters in St. Clair County will see something unusual on the ballot March 20 – two candidates vying for the same judgeship.
Fifth District affirms Rudolf in foreclosure proceeding
The Fifth District Appellate Court has affirmed St. Clair County Associate Judge Heinz Rudolf in a foreclosure proceeding where a losing bidder who claimed to have been the highest bidder was not allowed to intervene in the case to object to the sale going to the second highest bidder.
Appellate court upholds Crowder in family dispute over IRA funds
The Fifth District Appellate Court has upheld Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder in a family's dispute over ownership of a deceased man's retirement account valued in excess of $500,000.
Prenzler says he met with task force investigator voluntarily: Two new cases of corruption brought forth
Madison County Board chairman Kurt Prenzler said he met voluntarily on Friday with a member of a county public corruption task force which nearly four weeks ago raided offices of administration officials.
Lawyer for Prenzler, others says Gibbons has conflict of interest in pursuing task force investigation
A lawyer for Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler and other officials whose offices were raided three weeks ago by a public corruption task force is seeking an outside prosecutor, saying State's Attorney Tom Gibbons is conflicted.
Associate Judge Kelley to retire March 1; Applications sought for that vacancy but not LeChien's
St. Clair County Associate Judge Randall Kelley, 66, will retire March 1, approximately a year before his current four-year term expires.
Kolker campaign raises more than $100K in fourth quarter; Plaintiff firms factor big
St. Clair County Associate Judge Chris Kolker's campaign committee raised more than $100,000 in the last quarter of 2017 as he seeks election to the vacancy left by circuit judge Robert LeChien who died in August.
Fifth District affirms Lopinot in med mal defense verdict
The Fifth District Appellate Court has affirmed St. Clair County Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot involving a 2016 medical malpractice trial that ended with a defense verdict.
Dugan rules for Democrat board member Dalton in Republican's electoral challenge
Madison County Circuit Judge Dave Dugan has ruled in favor of Democrat county board member Elizabeth Dalton following a challenge to her nominating papers for the March 20 primary.
Judge will decide by Wednesday whether county board member Dalton will stay on ballot
Madison County Circuit Judge Dave Dugan is expected to rule by tomorrow whether petitions of Democrat County Board member Elizabeth Dalton will withstand electoral challenge from a Republican constituent.
Elections board rules for Hilmes in ballot challenge brought by GOP rival Ruocco
The Illinois State Board of Elections ruled Thursday that Republican candidate for St. Clair County circuit judge "B. Marshall Hilmes" will be allowed to remain on the ballot at the March 20 primary election.
Wirepoints: State Treasurer's social justice warrior investment practices makes bad policy
A financial expert says "social justice warrior" investment practices of Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs makes for bad policy and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations that may hold different political views.
Madison County's judiciary chair wants to prevent opioid litigation from resembling asbestos docket
Madison County Board member Mike Walters came out forcefully against modeling potential opioid litigation after the type of lawsuits the county is most well known for, saying the asbestos docket has been a "terrible drain" in terms of businesses that either want to leave or not locate here at all.
Judge who overturned Rauner 'fair share' executive order had worked as Madigan staffer in earlier days
Critics of policy decisions that prop up labor organizations at the expense of taxpayers have said it’s no mistake that some of the state's most consequential and political legal battles - contract negotiations, worker pay and union dues - have been filed in “union friendly” St. Clair County.
Trial for murder suspect Fields could take place this spring
Trial for suspect David Fields, accused in the Dec. 30, 2016 murder of Carl Silas, could take place this spring.