News from 2015
Belleville woman sues over alleged injuries following apartment complex accident
A Belleville woman is suing property owners and the city of Belleville after stepping in a pothole and allegedly sustaining injuries.
St. Louis University sued over claims of negligence following surgery
An Illinois husband and wife are suing St. Louis University following alleged negligent acts during surgery.
Public pension fund picture looks frightening with unfunded liabilities exceeding net assets
SPRINGFIELD – Public employee pension funds paid $13,984,668,514 in benefits to 438,814 persons in 2012, according to the Illinois Department of Insurance. Benefits averaged $31,869 per person. Retired workers averaged $34,965, while disabled workers averaged $28,338 and survivors averaged $13,951. More than five persons received benefits for every seven active workers. Payroll for 605,872 active workers totaled $32,334,757,164, roughly $2.30 for every pension dollar.
Driver sues second motorist, alleging negligence in rear-end collision
A St. Clair County motorist is suing another driver, alleging vehicular negligence in a crash that he says left him with injuries and economic damage.
Consumer files class action against Earth Friendly Products over alleged fraudulent detergent labeling
A St. Clair County woman is suing a household cleaning product manufacturer, alleging false advertising.
Survey says Madison, Cook counties, state of Illinois, rank among worst environments for lawsuits in country
The courts of Cook and Madison counties, as well as the state of Illinois, have again ranked very poorly in the eyes of business leaders, a survey says, hampering the state’s economic growth, reducing the state’s tax haul, and making it more difficult to pay Illinois’ bills and provide needed public services, according to Ill.
Yandle remands ovarian cancer-talcum powder case to Madison County
U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle has sent a claim that talcum powder caused ovarian cancer back to Madison County circuit court where it began.
Haine to reintroduce death penalty legislation in wake of police and mass shootings
State Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) said he intends to file legislation to restore the death penalty in limited cases involving "the most evil of crimes." “As a former State’s Attorney, I understand the complexities of seeking the death penalty for individuals who have committed heinous crimes,” Haine stated in a press release.
Public pension annual reports available at DOI portal
With much of the state's financial crisis being blamed on under-funded public pensions, wouldn't it be great if ordinary taxpayers could see exactly what condition the funds they support are in?
Rauner to join ILR announcing state's dismal ranking in legal climate survey
CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will join the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) this afternoon to announce results of the Harris Poll which shows the state's legal climate at an all-time low ranking. The study places Illinois at number 48 out of 50; only Louisiana and West Virginia fared worse in a report titled "2015 Lawsuit Climate Survey: Ranking the States."
St. Clair County attorney sued over claims of professional negligence and legal malpractice
An Illinois woman is suing a St. Clair County attorney following complications with her late husband's estate.
Progressive sold insurance it wouldn't honor, suit claims
A married couple from Champaign County is suing an automobile insurance company for allegedly selling insurance it had no intention of paying claims on.
Madison County Special Service Area No. 1 seeks payment for allegedly unpaid sewer bill
A Madison County governmental agency has sued a business over claims it hasn't paid its commercial sewer bill.
Where's the pepper? Class action says McCormick has been skimping in same size packaging
Spice maker McCormick & Co. reduced the amount of pepper in tin containers by a fourth without reducing the size of the tins, according to a class action complaint in federal court. Sean Cronin of the Donovan Rose Nester firm in Belleville sued McCormick for Scott Bittle on Sept. 4, accusing it of “unlawful slack filling.”
New associate judge Simmons excited for new opportunity to serve the community; Says he is ‘jack of all trades’
Recently selected Madison County Associate Judge Luther W. Simmons, 67, said his new position will give him a unique opportunity to give back to the community.
Troy Walton selected as an 'Emerging Lawyer'
Attorney Troy Walton of Schoen Walton Telken & Foster in Edwardsville has been selected as an “Emerging Lawyer” by the Leading Lawyers in the State of Illinois. Walton will be recognized in the October 2015 Top Settlements issue of Chicago Lawyer magazine.
Prenzler and Dunstan at odds over investment advisor's report
Madison County’s investment advisor incorrectly alleged that treasurer Kurt Prenzler doesn’t take bids on all trades, Prenzler said on Sept. 8. Prenzler said that a report from advisor Jeff Schroeder to county board chair Alan Dunstan contained errors because Schroeder prepared it without talking to him. Prenzler said Schroeder has admitted county administrator Joe Parente told him not to contact the treasurer. Parente said on Aug. 8 that he didn’t tell Schroeder not to contact Prenzler. Sch
Madison County GOP chair says judges missed opportunity for 'diversity of thought'
Madison County Republican Central Committee chairman Chris Slusser is frustrated over the selection process used in the recent and pending appointments of five associate judges to the Third Judicial Circuit. "It's nothing personal," Slusser said.
Construction company suing three Madison County companies for breach of contract
A St. Clair County construction company is suing three Madison County companies for breach of contract. St. Clair Aluminum and Construction (St. Clair) filed a lawsuit against Retko Group, James Taylor and Terra Properties on Aug. 6 in the Madison County Circuit Court, citing breach of contract, Quantum Meruit, a Mechanic’s Lien and Equitable Determination of Priority.
'So corrupt it would make Rod Blagojevich blush'
“It’s political payoff, pure and simple,” Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, said of Senate Bill 1229.