News from 2015
Illinois Senate's support of AFSCME arbitration bill cost unions $5.8 million
It’s no secret that government-worker unions are among the heavy-hitters in Illinois politics.
When did Planned Parenthood's use of feticide become acceptable?
Abortion produces strong feelings and opinions as to how to address it.
Bid rigging victims can pursue their case; County's petition to review class certification denied
MOUNT VERNON – Victims of bid rigging in the Madison County courthouse can pursue a class action, Fifth District appellate judges decided on Aug. 17. Justices Richard Goldenhersh and Bruce Stewart denied a petition from the county to review a class certification order from the county’s circuit court. Justice James Moore would have granted review. Clinton County Associate Judge William Becker, presiding in Madison County by special appointment, certified the class action in June. Plaintiffs c
ARDC: Chicago lawyer made millions in 'shakedown' scheme
A Chicago attorney who made millions pursuing copyright and computer hacking litigation on behalf of businesses purporting to hold the rights to pornographic videos is being accused of carrying out a shakedown scheme in courts around the country - and right here in St. Clair County. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission...
Former Prenda attorney appeals sanction order in Lightspeed case
U.S. District Judge David Herndon issued an order on Aug. 10 staying sanctions against three attorneys who he says obstructed discovery in a computer hacking case involving porn sites, pending an appeal by sanctioned attorney John Steele.
Linda Zazove awarded for her work with low-income and senior Illinois residents
Linda Zazove, retired deputy director of program operations for Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc., was presented with the Joseph R. Bartylak Memorial Legal Services Award for her work with low-income and senior residents in Illinois.
Fifth District modifies Judge Babka's judgment in estate dispute
MT. VERNON – St. Clair County associate judge Brian Babka unfairly rejected a woman’s evidence and testimony in a dispute over a dead man’s assets, Fifth District appellate judges ruled on Aug. 11. They honored a receipt that Babka ignored, showing Sandea White of Belleville surrendered a coin collection and vehicle titles to the estate of John Tate.
State government should strive to make things easier for business to innovate
If it's new, you can't do it. That's pretty much the default position of bureaucracy.
Yahoo says email scanning not surreptitious in eavesdropping class action; No reasonable expectation of privacy
EAST ST. LOUIS – Yahoo answers a class action complaint of privacy invasion by pleading that no one can call its scanning practices surreptitious. “Yahoo’s scanning of emails has been the subject of media reports for years,” Peter Herzog of St. Louis wrote on Aug. 17. He moved to dismiss a suit that Kaylynn Rehberger of Highland filed at U.S. district court in June.
Fox Creek subdivision denies liability and counter sues builder of attorney’s sinking $1.1M home
Fox Creek subdivision defendants deny liability and countersue a builder accused of constructing a Madison County asbestos attorney’s $1.1 million home was built atop fill dirt in Edwardsville.
Anderson Hospital doctors deny liability in patient’s medical malpractice suit over stroke
Anderson Hospital and two of its doctors deny liability in a patient’s lawsuit accusing his doctors of failing to catch preliminary symptoms pointing to an eminent stroke.
Real estate seller counter sues buyer for $2.75M
A company involved in the real estate purchase of a hotel that went south is countersuing the plaintiff for $2.75 million after it backed out of the deal.
Doctor and practice seek to dismiss East Alton woman’s medical malpractice case
A physician and his practice seek to dismiss a patient’s lawsuit claiming they put off an emergency lumbar surgery for too long.
54th Street restaurant accuses customer of causing his fall from intoxication
An Edwardsville restaurant denies liability in a customer’s slip and fall suit, arguing that the patron became intoxicated and was unable to maintain his balance.
Madison County foreclosures Aug. 7-14
A list of recent Madison County foreclosures. Including Alton, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Granite City, South Roxana, St. Jacob, Troy and Wood River.
Madison County real estate Aug. 3-7
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, St. Jacob, Troy, Wood River and Worden.
Trailer owners deny liability, seek to dismiss Rothman Furniture's suit alleging injury from fallen sofa
An Illinois couple seeks to dismiss a lawsuit filed after a sofa fell on a Rothman Furniture Store employee while he was trying to load a sofa into the couple’s trailer.
Williams Venker & Sanders attorneys selected for Best Lawyers in America
Eight attorneys with Williams Venker & Sanders have been included on the Best Lawyers in America list for 2016.
Sandberg Phoenix attorneys selected for Best Lawyers in America
A record number of 20 Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America list for 2016.
Blake Law Group hires new associate attorney
Attorney Angela S. McQuage joins the Blake Behme Law Group in Belleville as an associate attorney.