Ann Maher News
Overstreet win at Fifth District could grow conservative hold on bench
Republican candidate for a permanent seat on the Fifth District Appellate Court, Justice David Overstreet, steers clear of addressing "trigger" issues for the trial bar - "frivolous" litigation and "caps" on damages - in questions posed by the Illinois Civil Justice League.
Gleeson, Cruse and Emge respond to ICJL questionnaire on range of topics
Voters in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit - St. Clair, Monroe, Perry, Randolph and Washington counties - will be asked in next month's election whether circuit judges Andrew Gleeson (chief judge), Zina Cruse (at large judge) and Daniel Emge (Washington County resident judge) should be retained - yes or no.
County board candidate says voters in west Belleville district are fed up with high property taxes
If there's one concern common among voters in St. Clair County Board District 8 it's high property taxes, according to Republican candidate Deborah Brennan.
Cruse describes new bail reform law aimed at helping poor people, amidst criticism from Justice for Kane and radio host's racial slurs
The leader of a grassroots group seeking to oust St. Clair County Circuit Judge Zina Cruse from office in next month's election refutes claims that there's a racial component to the anti-retention effort.
In pre-toilet problem polling, Pritzker leads Rauner by 22 points
CARBONDALE - Democrat J.B. Pritzker has a 22-point lead over incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner in the race for governor, according to a Paul Simon Public Policy Institute poll released Tuesday.
St. Clair, Madison and Monroe county Democrat committees getting fuel from Pritzker tank
Local Democrat organizations have benefited from big money flowing from candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker who has invested $104 million of his personal wealth into election efforts this season.
Levee district secretary/treasurer charged with theft and official misconduct
Wood River Levee District secretary and treasurer Jamie L. Butkovich, 37, has been charged with theft of between $10,000 and $100,000 and official misconduct, amid reports that at least one employee of the district was having "paycheck problems."
County chair calls for forensic audit of Wood River levee district; Gibbons calls it irresponsible to discuss open investigations
Calling for a forensic audit of the Wood River Drainage and Levee District over possible misappropriation of funds has become the latest tussle between political rivals in Madison County government.
Cahokia police pension to get audited; Examiners will take a look at calculations
The Department of Insurance will be conducting an audit of the Cahokia Police Pension Fund.
Labor leader at Caseyville rally: 'Vote often, vote early...whatever you can get away with'
An O'Fallon attorney who's been involved in voter integrity initiatives as a volunteer for six years and who's also running for circuit judge in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit said he is "very disturbed" by a video circulating on social media of a local labor leader encouraging people to "vote early and often," as in "East St. Louis."
Trial lawyer cash making its way into Fifth District race
The race to fill an open seat on the Fifth District Appellate Court has seen an infusion of trial lawyer campaign cash in recent weeks - from near and far.
Attorney for murder suspect argues State intentionally caused mistrial; Haida denies motion to dismiss Fields case
St. Clair County Circuit Judge Robert Haida denied a motion to drop the State's case against David E. Fields, who is alleged to have killed Carl Silas at his Belleville apartment on Dec. 30, 2016.
Asbestos trial set to begin in Stobbs court; Plaintiff is from Madison County
An Edwardsville man who worked as an insulator for Shell Oil refinery in Wood River for more than 30 years is expected to take his mesothelioma case to trial in Madison County Circuit Court today.
DOJ raises flag in Kaiser Gypsum bankruptcy; Says it will investigate illegal conduct in trusts
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The Department of Justice has stepped into Kaiser Gypsum's Chapter 11 bankruptcy pending in the Western District of North Carolina over concerns that its reorganization plan lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent fraud.
Asbestos litigation analysis shows downward trend - except for boom in St. Clair County
While asbestos filings in courts across the country appear to be declining, the number of new cases being filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court have more than doubled from a year ago.
Senior 'hall of famer' Helen Hawkins remembered as dedicated public servant
Longtime county board member Helen Hawkins of Granite City is being remembered as a "one of a kind," fierce, yet polite, advocate for her community.
Hale v. State Farm settles for $250 million
State Farm and plaintiffs have agreed to settle protracted RICO litigation for $250 million on the opening day of what was expected to be a long-running trial at federal court in East St. Louis.
David v Goliath type race playing out in 113th District; Hoffman has close to $1 million, but Jameson has thousands of contacts
Republican candidate for state representative Doug Jameson hopes to pull an upset in November over long time incumbent, Democrat Jay Hoffman of Belleville.
CARD voters will get opportunity to dissolve financially strapped park district
A super-majority vote is needed to dissolve.
Rauner vetoes legislation that would have replaced Republican with Democrat at helm of MESD
Governor Bruce Rauner on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have reshaped the Metro East Sanitary District, saying the legislation - sponsored by local Democrat legislators - was a politically-motivated attempt to undercut the board led by Republican Steve Adler.