Anna Aguillard News
Madison County Board candidate Lee Wathan: 'Government should provide more, with less'
Republican Harold “Lee” Wathan Jr. will be challenging Democrat Elizabeth Dalton for the Madison County Board seat in District 28 in the November general election.
Schwarm named presiding judge at Fifth District Appellate Court in last year on bench
MT. VERNON – Justice S. Gene Schwarm was unanimously elected to be the presiding judge of the Fifth District Appellate Court on Dec. 7.
Former school board member calls for vote on Edwardsville 7 tax increase
Former Edwardsville Community School District 7 board member Mike Firsching is leading a drive to put a proposed $10 million tax increase to a vote.
Online submission now mandatory for IL SC’s MCLE requirement report
Beginning Feb. 1, the Illinois Supreme Court will be running its Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) compliance requirements entirely online. Attorneys will be required to report their MCLE compliance electronically, and the agency that oversees the Court’s MCLE program will send notices via the internet as well.
Mozato e-filing system coordinator addresses 'confusion' of multi-vendor e-service in Madison County
In response to multiple e-filing systems serving the Madison County court system, the legal technology service provider Mozato has created a webpage to answer questions that have been raised about multiple vendors providing the relatively new services.
Illinois Supreme Court narrows ability to sue over occupational diseases
The Illinois Supreme Court recently issued a decision barring employees from bringing tort claims against former employees for injuries incurred during previous employment that now are barred by the state Workers’ Compensation Act’s statutes of repose.
Deadline approaching for Madison County disabled vets to receive property tax assistance
EDWARDSVILLE – The deadline for honorably discharged veterans facing financial difficulties to file for property tax assistance is approaching, according to a press release issued by the County Treasurer’s Office and the Veteran’s Assistance Commission (VAC).
Prenzler calls on Dunstan to return Economy contributions; Dunstan says opponent is playing politics
As competition for the top leadership spot in Madison County government heats up, Board chairman hopeful Kurt Prenzler is calling for incumbent Alan Dunstan to return more than $25,000 in campaign contributions from a Metro East Sanitary District appointee whose car repair business is embroiled in controversy.
County board chairmen candidates have dueling plans for reducing property tax levy
After Madison County Chairman Alan Dunstan announced a proposed budget that reduces the county’s property tax levy by 2.3 percent, County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler responded that a plan he proposed first goes much further with a 10 percent cut.
East St. Louis City budget director calls for city to file bankruptcy, groups push for bankruptcy reform
East St. Louis budget director Egzabia Bennett has recently called on the city to file for bankruptcy, the third time in two years she had made such a recommendation.
Pohlman introduces new software for asbestos case filing
By the end of the year, court reporting and litigation services company PholmanUSA hopes that all Madison County asbestos cases will be able to be accessed through the company’s new webtool, MyDocFileServe.
Gibbons presents Haine and Mudge with 'Retired State’s Attorney Badge'; Replaces all current badges after one turns up in serial burglar's stash
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons on Tuesday honored State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) and Circuit Judge Bill Mudge with "Retired State’s Attorney Badges."
Local mayors speak out on movement to dissolve CARD; Collinsville still undecided
The voice of mayors within the Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) will likely play a big role in influencing voters who may be asked whether to dissolve the debt-ridden district.
Poll reveals Illinoisans 'fed up' with state’s inability to pass balanced budget
“This new poll shows what many people have been feeling for months: Illinoisans are fed up with a state economy that drives jobs across state lines, relies on tax hikes to try and balance state budgets, and politicians who refuse to address the political and economic problems facing the state,” said Nathaniel Hamilton, a spokesman for the Illinois Policy Institute.
Madison County to recognize volunteers during National Pro Bono Week Oct. 26-30
"Jennifer Shaw, who is receiving a pro bono award, while serving as a guardian ad litem for free, went above and beyond her duties," said Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, who heads the Pro Bono Committee. "She took a trip to another state regarding an investigation, and due to her hard work, the case was heard smoothly and successfully."
Medical costs for workers' compensation claimants on the rise in Illinois
According to a new study released by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), medical payments per workers' compensation claim grew 4.1 percent in 2013.
Madison County invests $1.6 million in Granite City school bonds
Madison County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler announced that his office will invest $1.6 million in Granite City School District bonds.
Illinois’s mass exodus: New IRS data shows significance of outmigration
Outmigration is at a record high in Illinois, according to Illinois Policy Institute's (IPI) analysis of IRS data from 2013.The analysis showed that every six and a half minutes, one resident and $50,000 in annual, taxable income moved out of Illinois in 2013. In fact, 81,000 total residents and $4.1 billion in taxable income was lost that year.
County Coroner Rick Stone announces plans to retire
Just one day after the County Democratic Committee endorsed another candidate, the current St. Clair County coroner announced that he is not seeking re-election at the end of his term.
Local business owners discuss workers’ comp concerns with Gov. Rauner
On Sept. 15, the Southwestern Illinois Employers Association (SIEA) sponsored a forum of local business owners and state officials to address their concerns with legislation under review in Springfield and Washington, D.C.