Bethany Krajelis News
Split panel of ARDC review board recommends suspensions for Lawrence Hess and Bruce Carr
A review board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) has recommended a nine-month and six-month suspension for two attorneys accused of bringing a lawsuit for the purpose of harassment.
Peoria firm wants IRS summons for client fund records quashed
A Peoria law firm has asked a federal court to quash a summons from the Internal Revenue Service that seeks two years worth of records related to its Interest on Lawyers Trust Account.
Reaction mixed to Supreme Court's Obamacare decision
Keefe The U.S. Supreme Court has narrowly upheld President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law, saying that the provision requiring individuals to purchase health insurance falls under Congress' taxing powers, not the Constitution's Commerce Clause.
Appellate court reverses certification in Shipley class action; Spomer says court is bound by Avery
Spomer The Fifth District Appellate Court has reversed a Madison County judge's certification of a class action lawsuit against Met Life and St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co.
Judge OK's request to pay settlement administrator in Syngenta case
Tillery U.S. District Judge J. Phil Gilbert has ordered the escrow agent of the settlement fund in the Syngenta case to pay a Minnesota company about $25,000.
Jury questions will soon be part of civil trials; New rule takes effect July 1
Jump Starting next week, trial judges throughout the state will have the discretion to let jurors in civil trials submit written questions directed at witnesses.
Supreme Court reverses Fifth District in negligence case, overrules 1997 appellate court decision
Overruling a 1997 appellate court decision, the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday held that the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act shields a downstate ambulance driver from liability in an automobile accident that took place en route to an emergency call.
Chicago money pours into 5th District Appellate Court race; Race pits Democrat Cates against Republican McGlynn
Cates Nearly $55,000 has made its way into the 5th District Appellate Court race since April and the majority of that money landed in Democrat Judy Cates' campaign coffers with the help of about a dozen Chicago lawyers and law firms.
Nelson officially takes over as circuit clerk
Judy Nelson gets sworn in as the new circuit clerk at Wednesday's Madison County board meeting. The Madison County Board on Wednesday appointed Judy Nelson the county's new circuit clerk.
Attorneys ask court to pay settlement administrator in Syngenta case
Tillery The City of Greenville has asked the federal judge handling the proposed $105 million settlement in the class action lawsuit over the weed killer atrazine to issue an order directing about $25,000 from a settlement fund to a Minnesota company helping in the implementation of the parties' agreement.
ARDC recommends disbarment for former Madison County attorney
Peel From the confines of prison today, Gary Evan Peel, a former Madison County class action attorney, defended himself against a misconduct complaint leveled by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC).
Dunstan recommends Nelson for circuit clerk appointment
Madison County Acting Circuit Clerk Judy Nelson has been recommended to serve out the remainder of her late boss' term.
Probation departments could see cuts in state funding next year
Judy Dallas Probation departments throughout the state could find themselves with less money next year. Under one of several budget bills approved by the Illinois General Assembly last month, funding for the state's probation services would drop by about $8 million in Fiscal Year 2013, which begins July 1.
Fifth District sides with plaintiff over excluded testimony, awards her fourth trial in negligence case
Spomer The Fifth District Appellate Court on Friday awarded a fourth trial to a southern Illinois woman who claims she was injured when the driver of another vehicle rear-ended her in 2006.
Thies will take over as ISBA president today
Thies John E. Thies, a shareholder at Webber & Thies P.C. in Urbana, will be installed as the 2012-2013 president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) today at the group's annual meeting in Wisconsin.
Quinn signs bill to clear up court's 2010 Provena ruling
Quinn Gov. Patrick J. Quinn today put his stamp of approval on a handful of Medicaid-related bills, including one proposed in direct response to a 2010 Illinois Supreme Court ruling over property tax exemptions for non-profit hospitals.
Peel continues fight for law license; ARDC hearing set June 20
Peel Gary Evan Peel, a former Madison County class action attorney who is currently incarcerated in Kentucky, will face an Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission hearing next week on a misconduct complaint stemming from his 2007 criminal convictions.
Defense counsel group elects new president
Even though his term as president of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC) only lasts one year, Chicago attorney R. Howard Jump wants to plan for the group's future.
Supreme Court forms commission to address access to justice
The Illinois Supreme Court has created a commission to enhance, facilitate and promote equal access to the state's civil courts and administrative agencies.
Chicago legal giant, past ITLA president dies
Corboy Chicago trial lawyer Philip Corboy, co-founder of Corboy & Demetrio P.C. and a past president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association (ITLA), died early Tuesday in his home in Chicago. He was 87 years old.