News from June 2015
Retired judges Mendelsohn and Maddox recalled to Madison County Circuit Court
After five associate judges were not reappointed in Madison County, Chief Judge David Hylla has retained two retired judges from the Third Judicial Circuit.
Volunteer files class action against concession operators at Busch and Kauffman
Operators of concession stands at baseball games in St. Louis and Kansas City owe back wages to workers they recruited as volunteers, according to a class action complaint in federal court.
Bradley, Rauner continue scrap over staff pay; Democrat says governor’s office disrespecting House
SPRINGFIELD — A Southern Illinois Democrat and the governor’s office are exchanging words over the administration’s refusal to discuss staff salaries in front of an Illinois House committee. Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, on Tuesday morning ripped Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office for twice refusing to send anyone to testify before the House Revenue and Finance Committee, which Bradley chairs. For its part, the Republican governor’s office says the hearing is a partisan scam and seeks information alrea
Woman blames oncoming driver for multiple injuries in crash
A woman filed a complaint against a motorist following a 2013 highway accident in Madison County. Teresa Boner filed a lawsuit June 18 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Charles Riley II, claiming vehicular negligence in a June 2013 two-car crash.
Customer blames Taco Bell in slip and fall suit
A man filed a complaint against a nationwide fast-food chain, claiming premises negligence in 2015 regarding a parking lot accident in which he slipped and fell. Fred Shaw filed a lawsuit June 15 in Madison County Circuit Court against Taco Bell Corporation alleging negligence in the May 2015 incident in Granite City. According to the filing, the plaintiff was lawfully on the premises of Taco Bell at its 2167 Madison Ave. location on May 6, 2015.
Driver accused of causing collision while intoxicated
A Belleville citizen filed suit against a motorist regarding a 2013 motor vehicle accident allegedly resulting in physical injuries. Ryan R.
Woman litigates for damages allegedly caused by highway collision
A driver filed a complaint against a woman alleging negligence in a 2015 Madison County motor vehicle accident that destroyed her car and left her with medical complications. Sandy Horne filed a lawsuit June 15 in Madison County Circuit Court against Elizabeth A.
Family sues driver involved in car wreck
A Michigan family filed a grievance against a driver alleging negligence in a 2013 car accident that supposedly left them with serious injuries. Charles Hudson, Algerine Hall-Hudson, Lynda Hall and minor child Allesa Hall of Roseville, MI, filed a lawsuit June 9 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ronald Weaver of Fairview Heights, IL, on allegations of vehicular negligence in a June 2013 collision in St. Clair County. According to the filing, the defendant drove his vehicle into the pat
Three crash victims sue motorist over intersection injuries
Two women filed a complaint individually and on behalf of one’s child, against a motorist for a 2014 intersection collision purportedly resulting in physical injury to all three parties. Chelsea Fort, Alicia Hood and Alicia’s son, minor Matthew Hood, all of O’Fallon, filed a lawsuit June 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Julie A.
Illinois fails to measure nonprofit spending, policy expert says
While the Illinois state government gives billions of dollars to nonprofit organizations over the course of an ordinary budget year, there is little oversight of how the organizations spend those dollars, says Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president of the Illinois Policy Institute. “They give that money with the best intentions, hoping it will help carry out some of the priorities they have deemed to be important,” Rasmussen said.
Rauner softens stance a bit, but Dems unimpressed
While Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the bulk of the Legislature’s proposed budget and penned a newspaper editorial, Speaker Michael Madigan announced another whole-House hearing and began laying blame on the governor for an expected government shutdown.
Couple sues to finalize workers' comp claim
EDWARDSVILLE -- A man and his wife are suing to finally iron out a workers' compensation claim that's been ongoing since 2009. According to a lawsuit filed on April 27 in Madison County Circuit Court, Earnest and Jessica Bates, both from St. Louis, filed a complaint against Robert Scott Forbes, of Edwardsville. Mr. Bates, formerly employed by Olin Winchester Corp. in East Alton, was having legal services performed by the defendant.
Man alleges driver intoxicated in rear-end collision
A St. Clair County resident filed suit against a woman alleging drunken driving in a 2013 two-vehicle crash.
Caseyville sued over Route 159 project
BELLEVILLE -- A St. Clair County village is being sued by one of its area development agencies for refusing to rezone property to make way for an upcoming project. According to a lawsuit filed on April 23 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, TBHP LLC filed a complaint against the village of Caseyville, Ill. On Oct. 21, 1998, to woo private developers, Caseyville passed three ordinances that: designated the village's area along Illinois Route 159 as blighted and set up a tax incremental redevelopm
Woman sues Amitriptyline makers, distributors over birth defects
A woman who believes her child was born with defects and injuries because of the prescription drug Amitriptyline is suing the manufacturers and pharmacies that have distributed it. Helena Peoples filed a complaint on May 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., successor to Sandoz Inc. (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp.), Kare Pharmacy Inc., Roche Laboratories Inc. and Walgreen Co. The plaintiff's mother, Heaunitia Holman Peoples, was prescribed the drug Amitriptyli
Treasurer: No. 1 complaint is tax increases
To the Editor: Some Madison County homeowners are upset about higher taxes and many of them have no clue why their bill went up.
PROMO/INDEX June 26
Story CopyPROMO Happy 4th of July!
Texas-sized judgment against Trinity Industries could improve chances for St. Clair case
U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap ordered guardrail maker Trinity Industries to pay $464 million to a federal government that didn’t ask for it, improving the chances that St. Clair County can secure a hefty sum on behalf of all Illinois counties.
Clinton Co. judge certifies class action despite dispute over damages; Says he is ‘satisfied’ that court will find way to determine damages
After declaring his intention to approve a Madison County bid rigging class action, visiting judge William Becker filed his official order granting class certification on June 16. He originally noted his approval of class certification on May 6, but postponed an official order until after the June 4 status conference to hear from the defendants if they planned to appeal. The class consists of anyone who owned a parcel of property that was sold at a Madison County tax sale auction from 2005 to
Garlock database proves useful in asbestos litigation and fight for transparency; Numbers show 'staggering' amount of money exchanged in asebestos system
While just a glimpse behind the curtain of the highly protected details about asbestos trust awards and settlements was provided by a recently unsealed database, the information could prove useful to Madison County asbestos defense attorneys as they litigate and prepare settlements in the future. Defense attorney Lisa LaConte of Heyl Royster in Edwardsville said the information in the database either confirmed values they assumed were being paid to claimants by the asbestos bankruptcy trusts or