Latest News
Chicago teachers union spending on teachers down, politics up in 2023
The Chicago Teachers Union’s most recent federal report reveals just 17% of its spending in 2023 was on representing teachers, but it tripled its political spending from the previous year. Nearly 500 teachers left the union.
Customer sues O' Fallon At Home store claiming display of mirrors fell on her
BELLEVILLE – A woman is suing the At Home store in OFallon, claiming that a display of floor-length mirrors fell on her while she was shopping.
Attorney General Raoul Urges Congress to Increase Access to Banking Services for State-licensed Cannabis Businesses
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 22 attorneys general, urged congressional leaders to approve the SAFER Banking Act of 2023 to lift banking restrictions that prevent state-licensed cannabis businesses from accessing the full range of regulated banking and financial services.
Dugan delays depositions in Casino Queen pension suit pending settlement efforts
EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge David Dugan stayed depositions about the collapse of Casino Queen’s pension plan for 30 days so they wouldn’t affect settlement negotiations.
Norfolk Southern Railway employee alleges injuries after falling from locomotive
EDWARDSVILLE – A railroad employee claims he was injured on the job when he fell from a locomotive.
Low 3rd-grade literacy is warning for future learning, earning potential
Few Illinois third-grade students can read at grade level. Even fewer low-income and minority students are at grade level in reading. Research shows this is a warning sign for Illinois students’ academic success and adult earning potential.
No injury, no barriers? IL Sup Ct to decide if 'no-injury' standard for big money biometrics lawsuits applies to other laws, too
Walgreens has won the chance to ask the state high court to decide if plaintiffs' lawyers can press big money class actions in Illinois state courts under a federal identity protection law, despite no harm caused by a technical violation of the law, and despite rulings across the country that they can't do so
Suit alleges Protestant Memorial Medical Center patient suffered head injury after fall
BELLEVILLE – A patient of the Protestant Memorial Medical Center in Belleville claims he was neglected under the facility's care, causing him to fall and suffer serious head and brain injuries.
Man alleges injuries after finding glass in drink at Shiloh restaurant
BELLEVILLE – A man claims he suffered internal bleeding after allegedly being served a beverage with glass in it while dining at the 54th Street Grill in Shiloh.
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Duly Health and Care Charitable Fund Fundraiser
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP and partners Elizabeth A. Bruer, Marie K. Lynch, and Jessica Levitt Acuna are proud to sponsor the “Care Affair Uncorked” fundraiser hosted by the Duly Health and Care Charitable Fund on October 7 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Dugan grants summary judgment in butter cake class action over faulty reports
EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge David Dugan, who accepted reports provided by class action attorney Spencer Sheehan about research on butter cake as true last year, found butter in the cake but no truth in the reports.
Madison County real estate Aug. 21-25
A St. Jacob property sold for more than $620,000 as part of the Madison County real estate transactions for Aug. 21-25.
St. Clair County real estate June 12-16
An East St. Louis property sold for nearly $5 million as part of the St. Clair County real estate transactions for June 12-16.
Madison County civil docket Oct. 10-13
Madison County circuit judges have hearings scheduled on the civil docket for Oct. 10-13.
List of weapons regulated by Protect Illinois Communities Act; Registration required by Jan. 1
The registry for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s weapons ban opened on Oct. 1; and, unless the Constitutional challenges are successful, all newly regulated firearms must be registered by Jan. 1.
Rep. Elik introduces bill to protect law-abiding gun owners' personal information
While Constitutional challenges to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s controversial gun ban are pending, Illinois State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) filed legislation to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
The case for optimism: Why we can overcome these dark hours for America and Illinois
In its darkest hours, the American Revolution, America faced a single threat – the British Army – but today, the list of its mortal threats is long: an open border order, rampant crime, politicized schools, politicized justice, inflation, lost energy independence, biased and corrupt media, woke everything and suppression of free speech by social media colluding with the government.
Cahokia Heights argues advancements in surrounding communities caused its sewer failures
EAST ST. LOUIS – Cahokia Heights argued at U.S. district court that development in mostly white communities caused the failure of storm and sanitary sewers in its mostly black community.
Shopper sues over trip, fall at East St. Louis Family Dollar
BELLEVILLE – A shopper is suing an East St. Louis Family Dollar store after she allegedly tripped over a clothing rack and suffered injuries.
Chemical company alleges $2.5 million in damages following fire in neighboring building
BELLEVILLE – Afton Chemical Corporation has filed a lawsuit against Eagle Industrial Park after a fire broke out in their nearby building, forcing Afton to evacuate employees and temporarily shut down operations.