News from May 2016
Kay takes swipe at opponent for initial support of controversial SB 231
A controversial education funding bill that critics say is a $205 million bailout for the Chicago public school pension fund would shortchange metro-east school districts by $10 million.
Negligence alleged in traffic collision
BELLEVILLE — A St. Louis County resident is suing Keely Spellman, a St. Clair County resident, citing alleged negligence.
Woman claims motorist blew red light
EDWARDSVILLE — A woman is suing a fellow motorist over alleged negligence in a collision.
Dump truck operator says negligence led to vehicle overturning
BELLEVILLE — A dump truck operator is suing Waste Management National Services Inc., Petroff Trucking Company Inc. and John Doe Corporation, alleging negligence and claiming that insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries.
Woman sues three over collision injuries
BELLEVILLE — A Swansea woman is suing three people following a traffic crash, citing alleged negligence and claiming insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries.
Granite City denied summary judgment in pedestrian’s injury suit; Settlement follows
One month after Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge denied the city of Granite City’s second motion for summary judgment in a pedestrian’s personal injury case, the parties announced settlement.
Mudge dismisses retaliatory termination suit against Walmart
A former Wal-Mart bakery worker’s retaliatory termination lawsuit was dismissed by Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge on April 25.
Alton couple’s sewage backup suit against city settles; City had argued 'Act of God' defense
An Alton couple’s lawsuit against the city over sewage flooding into their basement has reached a settlement.
Defendant in bar fight suits settles two claims for $3K
A defendant accused of punching two men in the face without provocation nearly three years ago at a Godfrey tavern is settling the claims against him.
Wood River woman’s benzene case in court next week
Following a year of continuances, a Wood River woman’s 2012 benzene lawsuit is up for case management on May 25 in Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth’s court.
Ruth again rules against Maag in proposed FOID fee class action
Maag represents Gary Patrick Sterr, who seeks to lead a class of Illinoisans who claim they were charged $1 more than state statute allows when they applied for a firearm owner identification card (FOID).
Illinois’ opioid crisis and the dark side of workers’ comp
Through a process called physician dispensing, Illinois doctors can not only prescribe drugs but also sell them to injured workers. Research shows that when physicians are allowed to do this, they prescribe 3.2 times the quantity of opioid drugs they would prescribe otherwise.
Report: Mautino facing federal investigation over questionable campaign spending
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino is facing a federal investigation related to campaign finances, according to a statement his spokesman released to several news outlets today.
Flora attorney Tungate helps swear in daughter to Illinois Bar
Flora attorney Mark Tungate helped welcome new attorneys into the practice of law during swearing-in ceremonies earlier this month, an exceptional moment for him as one of the new attorneys was his daughter.
House subcommittee to address bill seeking to curtail ADA lawsuits brought by serial litigators
Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch executive director Travis Akin said that if these lawsuits really were about making businesses comply with ADA standards, then why wouldn’t the aggrieved person simply ask business owners to make the necessary changes before filing a lawsuit?
Cates pursues class action against BCBS similar to claims crafted by controversial attorney
Attorney David Cates, son of Presiding Justice Judy Cates of the Fifth District appellate court, has filed a suit in St. Clair County that mirrors class action litigation crafted by controversial Chicago attorney David Novoselsky.
Relic of Madison County’s class action bonanza settles; Wells Fargo was last defendant in 15-year-old bond case
Last year, class representative William Tennison settled claims of the class for $300,000 from Fifth Third Bank, $150,000 from the Indianapolis accounting firm of Blue and Company, and $75,000 from the St. Louis law firm of Gilmore and Bell.
Psychiatrists, housing manager accused of violating privacy, civil rights
EAST ST. LOUIS — An Illinois man is suing over alleged invasion of privacy and violation of civil rights.
McGlynn affirmed in denying sanctions sought by asbestos removal company
MOUNT VERNON – St. Clair County Circuit Judge Stephen McGlynn properly denied sanctions that an asbestos removal company sought against the Illinois Department of Public Health, Fifth District appellate judges ruled on May 10.
Madison County foreclosures May 5-17
A list of recent Madison County foreclosures. Including Cottage Hills, Glen Carbon, Granite City, New Douglas, Pocahontas, Troy and Wood River.