News from 2016
St. Clair County real estate Oct. 27-Oct. 31
A Caseyville home sold for $365,000 as part of the recent St. Clair County real estate transactions.
Randolph County jurors side with defense in fatal accident case; Plaintiff had sought $1 million
Randolph County jurors returned a defense verdict Oct. 21 following a week-long trial over the auto accident death of an 81-year-old man six years ago in Chester.
ESL Township supervisor waives indictment; Wire fraud charges follow lavish personal spending
East St. Louis Township supervisor Oliver Hamilton spent more than $40,000 from the township treasury for a Las Vegas party and other personal purposes, interim U.S. attorney Donald Boyce charged on Nov. 15.
Fifth District affirms Mudge’s order denying transfer in medical malpractice suit; Concluded 'fact of trial' rather than 'place of trial' is inconvenient
The Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge’s order denying transfer in a medical malpractice suit alleging a patient’s gastric ulcer went undiagnosed.
Politics, case law complicate efforts to reform workers’ compensation law
While Illinois business leaders and legal advocates continue to call for changes in their workers’ compensation system, they also admit that a few obstacles stand in the way of significant reform.
Clinton's unpopularity in southern Illinois may have dragged down Democrat appellate candidates
MOUNT VERNON – Democrats Jo Beth Weber of Mount Vernon and Brad Bleyer of Marion campaigned fiercely for the Fifth District appellate court, but sank under the weight of rural resentment against presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Madison County civil docket Nov. 21-23
There are only two cases on the Madison County civil docket for the week of Nov. 21-23 in Circuit Judges Ruth and Mudge's courtrooms.
Construction company seeks to dismiss asbestos attorney’s suit alleging water infiltration in Troy home; Argues plaintiffs failed to answer discovery requests
Construction company seeks to dismiss asbestos attorney’s suit alleging water infiltration in Troy home; Argues plaintiffs failed to answer discovery requests Customary Construction seeks to dismiss an asbestos attorney’s lawsuit alleging mold and water infiltrated his $775,000 Troy home.
The idea of limited government takes time (like 561 years) to sink in
It took 561 years (from the Magna Carta to the Declaration of Independence) for the idea of limited government and political equality to infuse itself into Anglo-American culture. By 1776, enough people believed in the possibility, that they were willing to fight for it and organize a government based on it after a battlefield victory.
Illinois continues to see a ciphoning of employees outside the state
The state of Illinois saw 5,500 employees leave its workforce this fall, prompting another decline for the fifth consecutive month in September. October brought additional jobs to eight metro areas, but it still isn’t enough to make a big difference.
November election results mean Illinois' neighbors likely to embrace worker freedom
The outcome of 2016 races in nearby states may result in all states surrounding Illinois becoming Right-to-Work states – leaving Illinois a lone island in a sea of worker freedom. To remain competitive for workers and business, Illinois must consider similar reforms.
Woman sues pet owners after dog allegedly bit her
A woman is suing two pet owners after a dog allegedly bit her.
Excel Bottling accused of negligence in connection with stairwell fall
BELLEVILLE — A man is suing Excel Bottling Co., a brewing plant owner, alleging that insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries in connection with a fall.
Illinois considers adopting a more portable bar exam
The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar is looking for input on a proposal to adopt the Uniform Bar Examination — a multistate bar exam by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, which is becoming the standard of bar exams across the country.
Attorney Symank chosen unanimously as shareholder at Sandberg Phoenix
ALTON – The law firm Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. has named Associate Narcisa P. Symank to shareholder in a recent vote by its partnership.
Choosing judges in Illinois
On a warm July day in 1970, Constitutional Delegate Wendell Durr, a respected attorney and future judge from Madison County, made some unique observations about whether the 1970 Constitution should continue the concepts adopted by Illinois’ voters in the Judicial Article of 1964.
Driver alleges injures in collision with FedEx employee
BELLEVILLE – A delivery service and its employee are accused of negligence after an accident in Caseyville.
Founders Insurance seeks damages following East St. Louis collision
BELLEVILLE – An insurance company is seeking the costs it paid to a Cahokia resident for damages after an accident at the intersection of state Route 3 and Eighth Street in East St. Louis.
Freeburg motorist claims injures after Belleville accident
BELLEVILLE – A Freeburg man alleges he was injured in a collision with a Belleville resident.
Collinsville residents claim they were injured in Fairview Heights accident
BELLEVILLE – Two Collinsville residents allege a Missouri driver's actions caused them injuries in an accident in Fairview Heights.