Steve Korris News
Man who fell from Skyjack scissor lift settles his suit
EAST ST. LOUIS – Tresean Gines of Park Forest, who fell from a Skyjack scissor lift while replacing lights outside Lowe’s in Fairview Heights, settled his claims against Lowe’s, Skyjack, and lift owner United Rental on Feb. 3.
Seventh Circuit reverses verdict in forklift injury trial over excluded witness testimony
CHICAGO – U. S. Seventh Circuit appellate judges reversed a jury verdict in a forklift accident trial on Feb. 1, finding District Judge Stephen McGlynn improperly excluded an expert’s opinion that forklifts need doors.
Marketing employee for Belleville hospice allegedly terminated for refusing Covid-19 vaccine
BENTON – Lisa Mann of Williamson County claims Hospice of Southern Illinois discriminated against her religion when it fired her for refusing Covid-19 vaccination.
AG Raoul's office allegedly 'working on securing' $1,350 sanction for discovery violations
SPRINGFIELD – Attorney General Kwame Raoul has failed to cut a $1,350 check his client has owed to Carbondale lawyer Shari Rhode since October.
Fifth District reveres felony conviction in Mengarelli's court; Jurors struggled with who ammunition belonged to
MOUNT VERNON – Fifth District appellate judges concluded that Madison County associate judge Martin Mengarelli's first criminal trial was spoiled as soon as it started.
Gilbert postponed trial on excessive force claims due to predicted winter storm
BENTON – Senior U. S. District Judge Phil Gilbert postponed an excessive force trial against Madison County deputies for three months in anticipation of a winter storm.
White County judge raises concerns about gun ban legislative procedure during hearing on TRO request, calls it 'egregious'
CARMI – Circuit judges can’t enforce constitutional requirements for passing legislation, Governor Pritzker’s lawyer told White County Circuit Judge Scott Webb at a Jan. 25 hearing for a temporary restraining order on a gun law Pritzker signed on Jan. 10.
Raoul moves to strike suit challenging firearm suppressor ban
EAST ST. LOUIS – Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul moved to strike about 40% of a complaint that challenges the state’s ban on firearm suppressors.
Yandle dismisses privacy invasion suit against military Exchange stores
BENTON – U. S. District Judge Staci Yandle rejected Madison County jurisdiction in a potential class action against Exchange stores on military bases and dismissed it on Jan. 19.
EPA stalls Cahokia Heights sewer work as Pritzker fails to deliver on $9.9 million grant promise
SPRINGFIELD – Environmental Protection Agency officials have stalled sewer improvements in Cahokia Heights and haven’t explained why, except to say questions were raised.
Yandle increases award for Carbondale servers, baristas to nearly $50,000
BENTON – Jurors made a mistake when they divided a wage claim against Longbranch Café and Bakery of Carbondale by ten, U. S. District Judge Staci Yandle ruled on Jan. 13.
Gilbert to preside over trial involving excessive force claims against officers
BENTON – Madison County jurors found Brian Schell of Highland didn’t resist arrest and now jurors in U. S. district court must decide whether deputies should have tasered him twice.
Broadcast Music Inc. sues Silver Creek Saloon over alleged copyright law violations
BENTON – Silver Creek Saloon on Mascoutah Street in Belleville is accused of infringing on musical copyrights, according to Broadcast Music Inc. and owners of songs ranging from Bee Gees to Lady Gaga.
AG Raoul refuses to pay $1,350 for discovery violations in discrimination suit
EAST ST. LOUIS – Attorney general Kwame Raoul has ignored Chief U. S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel’s order to pay Carbondale lawyer Shari Rhode $1,350 for discovery violations in a discrimination suit.
Jurors award tugboat worker $3.31 million for injuries from corn gluten fertilizer exposure
EDWARDSVILLE – Madison County jurors awarded $3,310,000 to former Lewis and Clark Fleeting tugboat worker Kevin Mogensen on Jan. 13.
Fayette County property owner claims neighbor removed his trees
BENTON – A lawsuit filed in federal court claims Nathan Marlen of St. Clair County and Doug Blankenship of Bond County wrongfully cut down trees that belonged to Joseph Lucas of Missouri.
Justice department seeks to dismiss privacy class action against military exchange stores
BENTON – U. S. District Judge Staci Yandle must decide whether to dismiss a class action privacy invasion claim against Exchange stores on military bases or remand it to Madison County where it started.
Fifth District affirms summary judgment in suit over stairway fall at Alton bar
MOUNT VERNON – Madison County Circuit Judge Christopher Threlkeld correctly ruled that Bubby and Sissy’s bar in Alton didn’t cause Lori Schnaare to fall down its stairs, according to Fifth District appellate judges.
Cahokia Heights flooding dispute continues; Defendants call it an ‘act of God’ as agencies work to unclog drains
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – Water circled the home of Olivia Dunn on 80th Street more quickly than litigation seeking to control the water in the city has progressed, resulting in response from multiple agencies.
Dugan grants summary judgment in crash suit involving insurance purchased after the collision
EAST ST. LOUIS – Esurance Insurance doesn’t have to honor a policy that Lajavion Ramsey of Belleville purchased after a fatal crash, U. S. District Judge David Dugan ruled on Jan. 4.