News from October 2015
Renewable energy advocates continue push for Clean Jobs Bill; Big provider wants low-emission nuclear in discussion
The Illinois Citizens Utility Board says the Clean Jobs Bill will save utility customers at least $1 billion by 2030, and would translates into a minimum savings of $8 to $9 a month for each customer. Those claims, however, are vigorously disputed by various policy analysts.
Hylla upheld by appellate court reviewing auto accident trial; Plaintiffs wanted new trial on damages and loss of consortium
A woman who was denied a new damages-only trial after a Madison County jury awarded her less than half of what she asked for in compensation of auto accident injuries, has lost her appeal at the Fifth District Appellate Court. Janet Biggs, represented by Brian Wendler of Edwardsville, was awarded $33,850 for neck and back injuries which included $8,250 for four months in lost earnings, However, the jury rejected husband Michael Biggs's loss of consortium claims.
Rauner tries to crank up the pressure; Democrats say he’s peddling old material
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday painted his side of the budget-impasse picture, saying that while his department heads are saving the state millions, he needs his agenda items to restore faith in Illinois government and invigorate the economy. Democrats said the governor’s speech was just more of the same and argued that Rauner needs to address the budget crisis without making his proposals preconditions.
Family Violence Councils in Madison, St. Clair counties work to stop domestic violence
Three women are killed every day as the result of domestic violence, according to the National Resource Center on Domestic violence. Family Violence Councils in Illinois are working to stop that cycle of abuse.
McCarter announces bid for Congress; Will take on Shimkus in GOP primary
McCarter spoke to the Madison-St. Clair Record after making the announcement, saying he has the energy and ideas to bring some good to Washington. “We all know that Washington’s broke,” McCarter said. “Unfortunately the representative in this district has become part of the problem, so I’m stepping up.”
Let’s let Boys ... become Men
Since the dawn of time, tracing back to Adam’s involuntary donation of a rib, the relationship between the sexes has been the source of much consternation.
Madison County asbestos jury docket Oct. 14
The asbestos jury docket for Madison County will be held at 9 a.m. on Oct. 14 in Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs' courtroom, room 327, at the Madison County Circuit Court in Edwardsville.
Five things to know about Illinois’ sustainable municipal pension fund
Here are five facts that speak to IMRF’s sustainability: 1. IMRF’s fiduciary net position increased from $25.1 billion in 2010 to $34.9 billion in 2014, an increase of almost $10 billion...
Hale attorneys must produce communications back to '05; State Farm seeks info for statute of limitations argument
EAST ST. LOUIS – Lawyers who claim State Farm corrupted Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier must reveal communications with researchers back to 2005, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Williams ruled on Sept. 28. Williams denied a claim of work product privilege for 34 documents that State Farm requested for its defense in an $8 billion racketeering suit.
I-LAW's true motive: Profits before people
It’s that time of year again, when a front group well-funded by big corporations and the insurance industry spreads misinformation, downright lies and uses disparaging terms such as “Land of Lawsuits” and “jackpot justice” to describe our state’s civil justice system. This annual observance should be seen for what it really is: a desperate attempt to distort public understanding of our state’s judicial system to influence the public and juries.
Fifth District reverses local courts five times in one week
Fifth District appellate judges reversed decisions of five judges from Madison, St. Clair, and Randolph counties in a single week. While Fifth District judges panned decisions of circuit judges, the Illinois Supreme Court panned a Fifth District decision.
I-LAW criticizes judiciary during 'Lawsuit Abuse Awareness' rallies
Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Travis Akin leveled a stinging rebuke of the courts in St. Clair and Madison counties today over recent moves made by judges. Akin called the decisions of Twentieth Circuit judges John Baricevic, Robert Haida and Robert LeChien to run for election rather than retention
Madison County civil docket Oct. 13-16
Madison County Circuit Judges Mudge, Matoesian, Crowder and Ruth have hearings scheduled on the civil docket for the week of Oct. 13-16.
Madison County asbestos motion docket Oct. 13-14
The asbestos motion docket for Madison County will be held at 9 a.m. on Oct. 13 and 14 in Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs' courtroom, room 327, at the Madison County Circuit Court in Edwardsville.
Madison County foreclosures Sept. 28-Oct. 2
A list of recent Madison County foreclosures. Including Alhambra, Alton, Bethalto, Collinsville, Godfrey, Granite City, Hartford, Highland, Marine and Wood River.
St. Clair County foreclosures Sept. 21-30
A list of recent St. Clair County foreclosures. Including Belleville, Cahokia, Caseyville, Collinsville, Fairview Heights, Mascoutah and O'Fallon.
Are we wasting money on the Citizens Utility Board?
You can't judge a book by its cover, or a proposed law by its title.
Madison County real estate Sept. 16-22
A list of recent real estate transactions for Madison County. Including Alhambra, Alton, Bethalto, Collinsville, Cottage Hills, East Alton, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Godfrey, Granite City, Hamel, Hartford, Highland, Madison, Maryville, Moro, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, St. Jacob, Troy, Wood River and Worden.
St. Clair County real estate Sept. 21-25
A list of recent real estate transactions for St. Clair County. Including Belleville, Cahokia, Caseyville, Collinsville, Dupo, East Carondelet, East St. Louis, Fairmont City, Fairview Heights, Freeburg, Lebanon, Marissa, Mascoutah, Millstadt, New Athens, New Baden, O’Fallon, Rauscher, St. Libory, Shiloh, Smithton, Swansea and Waterloo.
Asbestos plaintiff attorney says there is no 'one size fits all' asbestos exposure, calls all exposures causative
During the HarrisMartin Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference, asbestos attorneys from Husch Blackwell and the Simmons Firm discussed whether any asbestos exposure above background is causative, which is also known as the any exposure theory.