News from 2016
Like father, like son
Three years ago, at the end of his alleged investigation into rampant corruption in St. Clair County, Chief Circuit Judge John Baricevic confessed that he was unable to find any evidence that James Fogarty misused his former position as a probation officer while allegedly selling cocaine or that Fogarty and Circuit Judges Michael Cook (convicted on heroin charges) and Joe Christ (dead from a drug overdose while in Cook's company) had “used their positions to enhance their drug use.”
Illinois’ AFSCME contract needs a reality check
State lawmakers justify keeping in lockstep with AFSCME by saying they’re fighting for the middle class. But middle-class Illinoisans who don’t work for the government are struggling to stay afloat amid flatlining incomes and a stagnant economy.
Union Pacific prevails in appeal involving '07 fatal accident; Two Madison County juries have decided case
Fifth District Appellate Court justices have affirmed a ruling in favor of Union Pacific Railroad involving a fatal collision at a private crossing in Iron County, Mo.
Engineers for automakers must unredact agendas in Madison County asbestos litigation, appellate court rules
MOUNT VERNON – Engineers who help Ford, General Motors and Chrysler defend asbestos suits must remove redactions from agendas of their meetings with lawyers for the automakers, Fifth District appellate judges ruled on June 30.
Former Caseyville police chief Alvarez and mayor Black remain at odds in court
Former Caseyville police chief Jose Alvarez broke an agreement to settle his termination suit for $37,500, mayor Leonard Black alleged on July 5.
Scott Credit Union denies allegations in age discrimination suit
Scott Credit Union claims that its termination of an employee who now alleges age discrimination was based on legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons unrelated to her age.
Madison Co. Actos suit transferred to Cook Co. for pretrial discovery
A Madison County man's product liability lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Walgreens and Eli Lilly involving the Type 2 diabetes drug Actos has been transferred to Cook County.
Mudge orders Creve Coeur attorney to comply with production requests
Creve Coeur attorney Vincent Vogler and Vogler Law Firm have been ordered to comply with discovery requests by July 13 in a Madison County lawsuit that claims they collected a debt but unfairly retained the proceeds.
Anderson Hospital denies negligence in patient's ER fall; Says decedent was under influence of alcohol
Anderson Hospital is denying negligence in a Madison County wrongful death lawsuit saying it was the decedent's use of alcohol or his intoxication that caused the injuries leading to his death.
Office staffer accuses lawn care business of sexual harassment
BELLEVILLE — A Madison County woman is suing a lawn care business, alleging sexual harassment.
Speeder impresses high court with ticket challenge; But Troy PD’s non-compliance with rule doesn't excuse fine
SPRINGFIELD – Christopher Geiler corrected a deficiency in the Troy police department and impressed the Illinois Supreme Court with his challenge to a speeding ticket, but his ticket still stands.
Trucking company accuses ammunition wholesaler of negligence
BELLEVILLE — A Missouri trucking company is suing an ammunition wholesaler, alleging the defendant owes more than $100,000 for improperly loading one of the plaintiff's trucks.
Shareholder class action against First Clover Leaf Bank is 'lawyer-driven," defense says
Attorneys representing Edwardsville-based First Clover Leaf Bank and its board of directors seek to dismiss a proposed class action over a recent announced merger saying the lawsuit is
Motorist alleges Madison County driver's negligence caused crash
BELLEVILLE — A Madison County woman is suing a Collinsville motorist, alleging his negligence led to the plaintiff suffering injuries.
Motorist alleges cab company's negligence caused crash
BELLEVILLE — A Marissa woman is suing a taxi driver and taxi companies, alleging their negligence caused injuries to the plaintiff.
TUA sees stopgap budget as temporary fix to CTU's demands
While the state's stopgap budget adopted on the eve of a new fiscal year has for now satisfied the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), a taxpayer watchdog believes it's just a matter of time before more demands are made known.
TUA: Retired state leaders living high off the hog at taxpayers expense
The $147,477-plus former Governor James Thompson receives in annual state pension payments shines a light on a pension system that's essentially bankrupt, eroding the middle class, and creating classes of retired ¨have's¨ and ¨have-nots,¨ according to Taxpayers Union of America's latest study.
Lawsuit claims plaintiffs law firm uses data from privacy app to file TCPA claims
Legal reform advocates think they’ve found a prime example of plaintiffs attorneys “gaming the system” to collect big awards under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Rep. Kay: 'Just a little skeptical of half year budgets'
The state's stop gap budget deal that will cover the next six months helped avert disaster for schools, universities and other vital operations, but it also laid groundwork for another epic budget battle.
Woman alleges injuries after accident
EDWARDSVILLE – A Madison County resident has filed a suit against a driver alleging injures in an Edwardsville accident.