The Madison County Record News
Illinois Supreme Court Amends Rules Of Professional Conduct
Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court announced amendments to Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC).
Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Amy B. Christiansen As Circuit Judge in Will County
Justice Mary K. O’Brien and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Amy B. Christiansen as a Will County Circuit Judge in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, First Subcircuit.
Judge: Democrats can't change 2024 election rules now to block Republicans from fall ballot
A judge in Springfield has permanently blocked the state from enforcing a new law backed by Dems which the judge said unconstitutionally rewrote candidate selection rules and would keep Republican state legislative candidates from the 2024 ballot
Plaintiff alleges sexual harassment against Groendyke Transport
Lynette Weatherspoon has filed a lawsuit against Groendyke Transport alleging sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination during her employment as a truck driver from March to December 2022. The complaint details multiple incidents of inappropriate behavior by colleagues and supervisors leading up to her termination which she claims was retaliatory.
Plaintiff alleges excessive force by Hardin County Deputy Sheriff
Jordan Newsome has filed a lawsuit against Deputy Sheriff Greg Robinson and Hardin County Sheriff's Department alleging excessive use of force during an incident at his home on April 26, 2024. The case seeks compensatory damages for physical pain and psychological trauma among other reliefs.
Aldi real estate director pleads guilty to taking kickbacks, awaits sentencing in October
EAST ST. LOUIS - Former Aldi real estate director Louis Ross, who on May 29 pleaded guilty of taking kickbacks in a fraud scheme against his employers, sued them after they fired him for that conduct in 2018.
Sheppard Mullin Awarded “Best Law Firm for Women and Diversity” for Seventh Consecutive Year
Seramount selected Sheppard Mullin as one of the 2024 “Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity” for its initiatives and best practices in recruiting, retaining, promoting and developing women lawyers and lawyers from underrepresented groups, including people of color.
Pediatrician accused of exchanging RX for sex sued by mother over daughter's death
EAST ST. LOUIS - Fifteen days after grand jurors in St. Louis found pediatrician Craig Spiegel exchanged prescriptions for sex and photographs, Bonnie Lilly of St. Clair County filed suit claiming he caused the death of her daughter Nicole Laux.
Littler Recognized Among the “Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity” by Seramount
Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity” for the 15th time by Seramount, a professional services and research firm dedicated to advancing inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D) in the workplace for over four decades.
Attorney General Raoul and Bipartisan Allies Score Major Win for College Athletes
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with the offices of 10 state attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), announced a landscape-changing settlement with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that permanently eases restrictions on Division I college athletes who have transferred schools multiple times and otherwise enhances their rights and opportunities.
Paraquat plaintiffs facing more headwinds; Attorneys seek review of expert's exclusion
EAST ST. LOUIS - Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel should dismiss 137 paraquat plaintiffs who sued Syngenta and Chevron but didn’t return questionnaires, special master Randi Ellis reported on May 30.
Illinois Adopts New Bar Exam for 2028
Law school graduates will take a new bar examination starting in 2028 to become licensed to practice law in Illinois, the Illinois Supreme Court and the Board of Admissions to the Bar (Board) announced.
More GOP candidates join court case vs IL Dems over 'candidate slating' ballot blocking law
Democrats told a Springfield judge she needs to can the case, saying the changes to the election rules in the middle of the 2024 election cycle don't violate anyone's rights, and judges have no place deciding if state lawmakers abided by the constitution in deciding how candidates can get on the ballot
IL Supreme Court rewrites attorney 'discrimination' rule; Critics predict court challenges forthcoming
Supporters say the rule change will create a stronger 'deterrent' to discriminatory and harassing behavior by lawyers in the state. Opponents say the new rule imposes an unconstitutional 'speech code' on Illinois lawyers, and likely will be challenged in court
Environmental actions brought by private parties must first go through Pollution Control, Supreme Court rules
SPRINGFIELD - Supreme Court Justices reversed Fifth District appellate judges who found Tri-Plex Technical Services of Freeburg could rely on environmental law to pursue a fraud claim against its competitors.
Belleville attorney disbarred over theft of $375K in client funds
SPRINGFIELD - Supreme Court Justices disbarred Jason Caraway of Belleville on May 23, finding he dishonestly appropriated more than $375,000 from clients.
Attorney General Raoul’s Legislation to Expand Worker Protections Against Retaliation Headed to Governor’s Desk
Attorney General Kwame Raoul applauded the Illinois General Assembly’s passage of legislation that would protect workers from retaliatory conduct by employers, strengthen current protections under state law and codify the authority of Raoul’s Workplace Rights Bureau to investigate and hold employers who retaliate or threaten to retaliate accountable.
Appeals court says man who told police he would kill his father must be released pending trial
A man was charged with assault for allegedly attempting to burn down his elderly father's home amid a dispute over disability payments. The appeals court said a Christian County judge can't order him held pretrial because he wasn't charged with a crime included on a list of "detainable offenses" in the SAFE-T Act
Acting secretary Julie A. Su accuses Gordo Corporation of violating Fair Labor Standards Act
Julie A. Su has filed a lawsuit against Gordo Corporation (El Gordito) alleging violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act for failing to pay minimum wage and overtime wages among other accusations involving improper payroll practices during a two-year investigation period.
Plaintiff alleges United States Steel Corp violated disability rights under ADA
Brian Gold has filed a lawsuit against United States Steel Corporation alleging violations under ADA due to discrimination related to his diabetic neuropathy condition.
He seeks compensatory damages along with punitive measures against U.S steel corp aiming at preventing such future occurrences.