News from September 2015
Couple sues Hardin driver, alleging negligence in car accident
A Madison County couple is suing a Hardin driver, alleging negligence in a car crash.
911, What's your emergency? St. Clair County ETSB may default on bond payments
Gov. Bruce Rauner has improperly withheld funds from “911” emergency telephone boards, St. Clair County alleges in its own circuit court. The county sued state officials on Sept. 21, for an injunction requiring distribution of funds to its Emergency Telephone System Board.
Man convicted of aggravated battery to child sues MC State's Attorney claiming defamation
A man who was convicted in January on four counts of aggravated battery to a child, and sentenced Tuesday to 24 years in prison, filed suit against Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons and another individual for statements they made on TV and social media regarding his case.
Madison County, tax buyers petition Supreme Court for review of class certification order
SPRINGFIELD – Thousands of losers in corrupt auctions at the Madison County courthouse should pursue recovery one by one rather than as a class, the winners argue at the Illinois Supreme Court. Buyers who purchased delinquent property taxes without competition petitioned the Justices on Sept. 21, for leave to appeal certification of a class action against them.
Alton firefighter pension fund has almost twice the beneficiaries as active members
Property tax payers in the City of Alton contributed $1.96 million to the city's fire fighter pension fund in fiscal year 2014, while 47 active members currently receiving salaries contributed $291,197 in payroll deductions to the fund. And almost twice as many beneficiaries - 87 retirees, surviving spouses or dependents - drew $3,477,300 in benefits last year.
State museums, Sparta shooting fields will close despite pause in layoffs
SPRINGFIELD -- A pause in state layoffs won’t stop the planned closures of the state’s museum system nor its shooting facilities near Sparta, Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has announced. The state museum in Springfield, four related facilities around the state and the World Shooting and Recreational Complex at Sparta in Southern Illinois are under the control of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which reports to the governor.
Illinois by the numbers: 6,963
Do you ever get the feeling that every time you turn around in Illinois some government official is grabbing you by the shirt collar and demanding your lunch money?
Prenzler suggests lawyers pursuing tax sale class actions not accept fees
Madison County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler believes that the attorneys representing the seven to 10,000 victims of criminal tax sales should not collect legal fees in the class action lawsuit brought against Madison County.
Social media becomes critical for law firms’ business growth
Clearly social media and the internet have changed the way many people communicate and get information. Technology, such as social media, continues to specialize as it is adopted by more practitioners, and will soon become integral to our lives.
After losing override battle in Springfield, state workers seek arbitration from Judge LeChien
State employees who failed to succeed with legislation placing their contract negotiations in the hands of an arbitrator now aim to achieve that objective in St. Clair County. On Sept. 17, they asked Circuit Judge Robert LeChien to maintain the status quo in litigation pending arbitration of the state’s authority to lay off employees.
Madison County Med mal trial ends in settlement
A three-day medical malpractice trial in Madison County came to an end on Thursday after the parties settled for an undisclosed amount in Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder’s courtroom. Prior to the settlement, the case was expected to last until Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.
Freeburg woman sues chiropracter for allegedly causing stroke
A St. Clair County woman is suing a chiropractor for alleged injuries suffered during treatment of neck pain.
Breach of contract suit filed over storm-damaged church roof
A construction company is suing a church for breach of contract, as well as a former sales representative, for allegedly violating an employment agreement in a dispute surrounding repairs for a storm-damaged roof.
Child's estate sues financial firms for alleged misappropriation of funds
The estate of a 5-year-old girl is suing an insurance company for alleged financial mismanagement.
House hears first details of Emanuel plan; Chicago mayor’s tax proposal does have some foes
SPRINGFIELD — Thursday marked another day of activity but little visible movement in the state Capitol. The House Revenue and Finance committee began hearing testimony on a call from the city of Chicago for an increase in the general homestead property tax exemption, or amount the state subtracts from homeowner’s assessed valuation as a form of tax break.
Comptroller: Pension payments at risk; state may have to sell assets to meet obligations
Deadbeat State: Illinois paid an enormous sum in late fees last year
Madison County woman claims drunk driver fled the scene of an accident in Dram Shop suit
A Madison County woman is suing a bar patron and the bar that served him liquor in an alleged drunk driving accident.
Patron files Dram Shop suit against Nick's Bar & Grill, alleging assault
A patron is suing a Granite City bar alleging injuries he sustained in an assault there.
Man and woman sue driver for negligence in East Alton car crash
A couple is suing a man in a dispute surrounding an auto accident.
Two Madison County women sued over alleged negligence in Alton collision
An Alton woman is suing two Madison County women following a vehicle collision the three were involved in.