Heather Isringhausen Gvillo News
Madison County Board votes to form PTELL subcommittee, rejects ballot question for Midterm Election
Following a heated debate over whether the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) was properly on the July 20 meeting agenda, the Madison County Board voted to form a subcommittee to learn more about the tax law.
Fourth District Appellate Court affirms Cadagin's dismissal of judicial subcircuit challenge
The Fourth District Appellate Court affirmed Sangamon County Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin’s order dismissing a lawsuit challenging the controversial judicial subcircuit law, finding that the Illinois Constitution does not prohibit the legislature from eliminating countywide judicial elections.
General Medicine seeks summary judgment in suit alleging fraudulent Medicare billing scheme
General Medicine seeks summary judgment in a lawsuit alleging it engaged in a fraudulent billing scheme, based on arguments that previous investigations found that its billing practices were compliant with regulations.
Former Cypress custodian, military veteran settles suit involving yard signs opposing kneeling during National Anthem
U.S. District Judge David Dugan granted dismissal in a military veteran and former Cypress Elementary School custodian’s wrongful termination lawsuit involving the school district’s policy allowing athletes to kneel during the National Anthem.
Tharp sworn in to Senate District 56 vacancy
Madison County Sheriff Captain Kristopher Tharp was sworn in today to fill the Senate District 56 vacancy left when Rachelle Aud Crowe was appointed to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
Crowd boos Madison County Board after passing ordinance increasing oversight of Prenzler's administrative authority
The Madison County Board was met with disapproval and the sounds of booing from the crowd after they voted 19-6 during a special meeting on July 6 to approve an ordinance establishing increased oversight of Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler.
Prenzler responds to GOP officials’ support of increased oversight, says they are ‘meddling in county board politics’
Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler responded to Republican county officials’ support of an effort to increase oversight of his administrative authority, saying the officials are “meddling in county board politics.”
Madison County GOP officials support board members seeking to amend chairman's authority; Prenzler vows to 'remain pro-taxpayer'
Republican county-wide officials have joined Madison County Board members “in strong support” of their effort to modify ordinances relating to Board oversight and Chairman Kurt Prenzler’s authority over County Board administration.
Madison County Board members petition for special meeting to amend policies, call Prenzler's management 'chronically inept'
Several Madison County Board members have petitioned for a special meeting to amend personnel policies and Madison County ordinances in order to transfer authority from Chairman Kurt Prenzler, arguing that they have “lost confidence” in his ability to “advance a fiscally responsible future for the county.”
McDonald's argues consumers suffered no injuries in PFAS class action, seeks dismissal
McDonald’s Corporation argues that a “baseless accusation” that its packaging contains toxic chemicals should be dismissed because the plaintiffs do not assert any injuries and the “grease-resistance substances” are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Elik calls for hearings after half of COVID-19 unemployment benefits paid to fraudsters
Illinois State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) and others are calling for immediate hearings after an audit revealed that the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) paid nearly $2 billion in fraudulent COVID-19 unemployment claims, which is more than half of the pandemic-related payouts.
Katz selected as treasurer of Illinois Judges Association
St. Clair County Associate Judge Julie Katz was selected to serve as treasurer of the Illinois Judges Association.
GM sued after mother, children found unresponsive in car from carbon monoxide poisoning
A lawsuit against General Motors and King Auto Sales alleges a mother and her three children were found unresponsive in a 2003 Saturn Ion after carbon monoxide was able to leak into the vehicle through the exhaust system.
Discrimination suits filed against Empire Comfort Systems over drawing that sparked June 2020 protests
A group of African American employees have filed racial discrimination lawsuits against Empire Comfort Systems over a child’s controversial drawing in a 2019 company calendar, which sparked Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020.
MC Judge Armouti elected to IJA Board of Directors
Madison County Associate Judge Veronica Armouti was elected to the Board of Directors for the Illinois Judges Association.
Woman allegedly robbed at Granite City Wal-Mart seeks sanctions for failure to make payments following settlement agreement
A shopper who claims she was knocked unconscious and robbed at the Granite City Wal-Mart seeks judgment and sanctions against the defendants for allegedly failing to provide payments after reaching a settlement.
Deaf middle school student alleges discrimination when teacher refused to follow IEP requirements
A deaf eighth grade student at Whiteside Middle School claims he was discriminated against by a teacher who refused to adhere to requirements in the plaintiff’s Individualized Education Program and then retaliated against him when he could not hear the lesson.
Suit alleging woman was video recorded at Godfrey spa voluntarily dismissed
A woman who claims she was video recorded while receiving a facial at a Godfrey spa in 2015 has voluntarily dismissed her complaint.
Foster approves proposed settlement in FOID card fee dispute
Madison County Associate Judge Ronald Foster approved a proposed settlement for a 2015 class action involving a disputed $1 vendor processing fee for Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card applications.
Edwardsville nail salon, lounge allege former operators engaged in fraud before fire destroyed business in Dec. 2021
After business has been halted due to a devastating structure fire in December, EXO Nail Bar and Lounge is suing the former operators of the nail salon portion of the business for allegedly disparaging the trade name before opening a new salon in Maryville.