News from August 2016
State universities’ mounting financial woes burdening Illinois students, taxpayers
As college students across Illinois’ nine public universities make their way to their respective campuses in the days ahead, few may realize just how little of their tuition is going directly toward instructional spending for the 2016-17 academic year.
Madison County real estate Aug. 3-11
A Troy home was sold for $433,000 as part of the Madison County real estate transactions for Aug. 3-11.
Madison County foreclosures Aug. 15-19
Madison County foreclosures for Aug. 15-19 include Granite City, Collinsville, East Alton and Maryville.
Why Madigan wants the map
Illinois politicians love to be involved in choosing their voters, especially Madigan.
Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 in July
Illinois’ preliminary jobs report shows the unemployment rate dropped to 5.8 percent in July due to large numbers of residents dropping out of the labor force for the third consecutive month.
Lavite’s suit explains prior mistreatment leading to last year’s police car episode
EAST ST. LOUIS – Madison County veteran assistance superintendent Brad Lavite, suing county leaders for access to his office, offers chilling context for the behavior that prompted them to shut him out last year.
Suit alleging sexual harassment removed to federal court
George Weber Chevrolet removed a woman’s sexual harassment suit alleging she was terminated after reporting inappropriate comments and touching to federal court.
Madison County civil docket Aug. 30-Sept. 2
Madison County Circuit Judges Mudge, Crowder, Ruth and Barberis have hearings scheduled on the civil docket for the week of Aug. 30-Sept. 2.
Madison County asbestos motion docket Sept. 1-2
The asbestos motion docket for Madison County will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 2 in Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs' courtroom, room 327, at the Madison County Circuit Court in Edwardsville.
Motorist alleges another driver caused Troy collision
BELLEVILLE — A St. Clair County motorist is suing another driver, alleging her negligence caused a crash that injured the plaintiff.
Lavite’s ban from admin building becomes political issue; Federal suit questions use of veterans’ funds
EAST ST. LOUIS – Madison County judges proposed to fly themselves and others to California with money that veteran assistance superintendent Brad Lavite raised for veterans, according to a lawsuit Lavite filed against the county on Aug. 5.
Johnson & Johnson asks for change of venue in talcum powder case; St. Louis market airs quarter of all ads nationwide
ST. LOUIS – Attorneys representing Johnson & Johnson in a talcum powder-ovarian cancer lawsuit have filed a motion for a change of venue saying the jury pool has been unfairly influenced by an extraordinary amount of lawyer advertising in the St. Louis market.
St. Clair County jurors award $9.4 million to worker injured at Prairie State Energy
St. Clair County jurors last week awarded $9.4 million to a worker injured six years ago at the Prairie State Energy Campus in Marissa.
Union Carbide, others file motions for summary judgment in Napoli asbestos cases; previously sought dismissal for want of prosecution
Union Carbide and several others have filed motions for summary judgment after Madison County Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs suggested it may be the more appropriate method for handling cases that are not ready for their October trial date.
Madison County jury reaches plaintiff verdict in insurance dispute; Awards condominium association $600K
A Madison County jury ruled in favor of the Rolling Oaks Condominium Association in a lawsuit alleging Allstate Insurance Company failed to pay the full amount after a fire destroyed the Collinsville condominium.
Collinsville bank alleges Irish customers owe more than $101,000
EDWARDSVILLE — A Collinsville bank is suing two customers from Northern Ireland, alleging failure to pay more than $101,000.
Guardians allege healthcare providers failed to give blood pressure tests and medication
EDWARDSVILLE — A Madison County couple is suing Alton health care providers, alleging their negligence caused health problems for the plaintiffs' daughter.
Redistricting reform proponents say voters need voice over legislators' self interest
SPRINGFIELD – Attorneys for Independent Maps submitted a brief to the Illinois Supreme Court arguing that a lower court’s ruling against the constitutionality of a proposed redistricting reform amendment is contrary to both the drafters' intent for the 1970 Illinois Constitution and the language of the constitution’s provision allowing voters to propose amendments.
Taxpayer watchdog launches ad campaigning calling out Beiser's budget vote
ALTON – State Rep. Dan Beiser, a Democrat, is one of six Illinois legislators targeted in an ad campaign over how they voted on budget-related bills that came up this year.
Elimination of license plate renewal reminders costs residents $9.5 million in late fees
Courtesy of lawmakers' stopgap budget deal reached June 30, Illinois residents will again begin to receive license plate renewal notices following a period of no reminders and plenty of late fees.