News from 2015
Garman and others receive PILI awards in recognition of public interest, pro bono contributions
CHICAGO -- Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) honored Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman and others in recognition of their public interest and pro bono contributions in Illinois at a luncheon on Wednesday.
Lest we forget
Francis Ford Coppola, Oscar winning director and screenwriter and wine maker extraordinaire, had a less than successful yet very good film in 1987 with “Gardens of Stone.” Dealing with the Old Guard, the Army unit assigned to the ceremonial duties at Arlington National cemetery, the story centers on a back story to the Vietnam conflict, the tension between preserving the living at all costs and honoring the dead for their payment of the “last full measure of devotion.” A good picture,
Motorist alleges another driver's negligence caused accident, injuries
BELLEVILLE–A Madison County woman is suing a St. Clair County motorist, alleging negligence in an automobile accident.
Mother sues City of Madison and officer following police pursuit
EDWARDSVILLE–An Illinois woman, on behalf of herself and her minor son, is suing Madison and a city police officer, alleging they caused an unsafe situation.
Jersey County couple alleges legal malpractice led to failed adoption
EDWARDSVILLE–A Jersey County couple is suing a lawyer and a business, alleging legal malpractice and conflict of interest in their attempt to adopt a baby.
Madison County couple alleges Sentry Insurance reneged on safe driver program
EDWARDSVILLE–A Madison County couple is suing a national insurer, alleging misrepresentations in an auto insurance policy. They seek class action status.
Illinois man alleges leased truck has not been returned or paid for
EDWARDSVILLE–An Illinois man is suing a leaser, alleging lack of payment for a truck that has been leased to the defendant.
Madison County couple alleges drunk driver caused three-car collision
EDWARDSVILLE–A Madison County couple is suing a Collinsville motorist, alleging negligence in an automobile accident that left them injured and limited in their ability to work.
O’Fallon apartment complex removes suit alleging faulty steps
An O’Fallon apartment complex removed a man’s lawsuit alleging he fell down a flight of steps on the defendant’s premises.
Union Pacific files motion to compel in workplace injury suit
Union Pacific seeks to compel its employee to answer its interrogatories in a suit alleging injuries from a workplace accident.
State Farm, Computype reach settlement agreement in data loss lawsuit
State Farm and Computype have reached a settlement agreement in a suit alleging an accountant suffered damages when the computer company failed to replace a hard disk drive while repairing the machine.
Illinois Supreme Court establishes uniform standards, certification process for problem-solving courts
The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the creation of uniform standards and a certification and application process for problem-solving courts across the state. Statewide standards will bring uniformity, accountability and administrative oversight to problem solving courts in Illinois, where there are already more than 100 in operation and more in the planning stages.
Supreme Court raises law license, certification fees
For the first time in nearly a century, the fees to obtain an Illinois law license and to certify documents will increase next year. The fee to obtain an initial law license will be raised from $5 to $50 and the fee to certify documents in the state's reviewing courts will go from $1 to $5.
Madison County creates 'Accountability Court' to help parents struggling to pay child support
Parents who are willing to pay child support but unable to fulfill their obligation due to certain common barriers to employment and financial stability will get some help in Madison County. Chief Judge Dave Hylla on Monday announced the inception of Madison County’s first Accountability Court. The Accountability Court will partner with local community colleges, Madison County Employment Services, and the Madison County States’ Attorneys’ Office, to identify common barriers and connect partic
Kelley dismisses medical malpractice suit alleging shoulder surgery caused carpal tunnel
St. Clair County Associate Judge Randall Kelley granted voluntary dismissal in a patient’s lawsuit alleging shoulder surgery resulted in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Gary Peel: Sentence on bankruptcy fraud, child pornography possession should have ended already
ASHLAND, Ky. – Former lawyer Gary Peel, serving the ninth of 12 years for bankruptcy fraud and possession of child pornography, seeks immediate release.
Mudge dismisses motorcyclist’s suit against driver after being beckoned onto roadway
Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge granted voluntary dismissal in a motorcyclist’s suit alleging he was struck after a motorist beckoned him onto the roadway.
Estate blames jailed defendant for fatal crash
EDWARDSVILLE–An estate administrator is suing an imprisoned drunk driver, alleging wrongful death in a fatal accident.
East Alton man sues Wood River property owner for fall on stairs
EDWARDSVILLE–An East Alton man is suing a Wood River property owner, alleging negligence after he was injured in a fall on stairs owned and controlled by the defendant.
Objections to Baricevic, LeChien and Haida candidacies raised; Judges should have to run for retention, not re-election, petitions say
Election paperwork of three sitting circuit judges running for election in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit is being challenged with the Illinois State Board of Elections. Dallas Cook, Belleville city clerk and a Republican candidate for St. Clair County circuit clerk, objected to the nomination papers of Circuit Judges John Baricevic, Robert Haida and Robert LeChien, who are running on the Democratic ticket.