Bethany Krajelis News
ICJL endorses McGlynn and three Madison County judges; Urges 'No' vote for Crowder's retention
Murnane The Illinois Civil Justice League (ICJL) on Wednesday announced its support for three of the four Madison County judges seeking retention in November, as well as St. Clair County Circuit Judge Stephen McGlynn for the Fifth District Appellate Court.
Cates raised five times more than McGlynn in three-month period; both received money from PACs
Cates With three weeks left until the General Election, the race for the Fifth District Appellate Court appears to be on track to become one of Illinois' most expensive judicial elections this year.
Madison County judges spent $155,000 on retention campaigns in three months
Callis The four Madison County circuit judges seeking retention in next month's election spent about $155,000 on their campaigns between July 1 and Sept. 30.
Defendants accused of RICO activity in Avery v. State Farm push for dismissal
Murnane The plaintiffs in a class action suit alleging fraudulent activity in Avery v. State Farm have simply recast the same claims they've been making for years to avoid yet another dismissal, the defendants assert.
Madison County business owners sue over Affordable Care Act; Kortes say 'morning after pill' provision violates religious values
The owners of a Highland company have sued a trio of federal agencies over the Affordable Care Act (ACA), claiming that certain regulations violate their religious and moral values.
More money flows into Fifth District race as election approaches
Cates Candidates in the race for the Fifth District Appellate Court have received more money in the past month than during the most recent three-month reporting period.
Judge denies request for injunction in lawsuit over campaign contribution law
Proft A federal judge late last week denied a motion seeking a preliminary injunction against a 2009 campaign contribution law.
Pradaxa MDL now includes 120 cases; Herndon sets bellwether trials for 2014
Herndon Chief Judge David Herndon issued a handful of orders this week relating to multi district litigation over Pradaxa.
Fifth District reverses Lopinot in O'Fallon residential flooding case
Goldenhersh The Fifth District Appellate Court has reversed St. Clair County Associate Judge Vincent Lopinot who had dismissed a complaint against the city of O'Fallon and a home builder over flooding allegedly caused by the development of Cambridge Condominiums.
Judges plan to continue campaigning as anti-retention gets under way
Whitley Three of the four Madison County judges up for retention in November said a recently announced anti-retention effort will not change their campaigns.
Former employee sues Madison County State's Attorney's Office, claims discrimination
Gibbons A former assistant state's attorney has sued Madison County and its prosecutor's office, claiming that her disability played "a motivating factor" in her termination.
Fifth District affirms Gleeson, reverses McGlynn on summary judgment rulings in legal malpractice suit
Chapman The Fifth District Appellate Court has affirmed the dismissal of Madison County Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli, his former law partner and their now-defunct firm as defendants in a legal malpractice complaint.
Debate over merit selection continues; recusal, public financing proposals pushed in meantime
Thies Although an Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) committee is working to come up with recommendations on judicial recusal standards, the bar group has long history of supporting merit selection.
Class action suit alleges RICO enterprise in Avery v. State Farm
Karmeier Three plaintiffs from Avery v. State Farm have filed a new class action lawsuit, claiming that the insurance company acted as the hub of an enterprise designed to defraud millions of policyholders out of a $1 billion judgment.
Lawsuits over state's new retiree health insurance law consolidated in Sangamon County
Maag Four lawsuits over a new law that requires state retirees to pay premiums for their health insurance will be handled in Sangamon County.
Broadcasters' group names Kilbride '2012 Illinoisan of the Year'
Kilbride The Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) has named Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride the "2012 Illinoisan of the Year."
Supreme Court reverses part of Fifth District ruling over arbitration agreements
Theis For the second time in two years, the Illinois Supreme Court has issued a ruling in a Fifth District case dealing with arbitration agreements.
High court voids $3.9 million jury award; overturns two appellate court rulings
Freeman Saying that a moving train presents an obvious danger, the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a $3.9 million jury award against a trio of railroad companies.
ISBA committee on judicial recusal to lay out proposal next month; Changes could 'inspire confidence,' Thies says
Thies More money has been making its way into judicial elections for some time now, but it wasn't until the U.S. Supreme Court's 2009 ruling in Caperton v. A.T. Massey that states started to put judicial recusal standards into place.
Illinois Central argues Mississippi man forum 'shopped' St. Clair County asbestos case
Eaton Plaintiff says witnesses and 'Alton documents' make St. Clair County convenient.