News from June 2017
Madison County foreclosures June 6-9
There were five foreclosures in Madison County from June 6-9.
Tillery suit against economists highlights relationships between lawyers and judges in major litigation
BENTON – Former U.S. district judge Patrick Murphy, who represents lawyer Stephen Tillery as plaintiff in the court of Senior U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert, successfully defended Gilbert against an ethics complaint last year.
We have to burn the village to save the village
About one in six Illinois homeowners are seriously underwater, according to a report from the Illinois Policy Institute, which is 70 percent higher than the national average. And locally, homeowners in several communities suffer greater than the state average in being seriously under water - owing more than their home is worth. For instance, in East St. Louis, 41 percent of homeowners are under water; in Alton, 20 percent and in Belleville, 18 percent.
CSX engineer claims driver for transportation service slammed door on his head
BELLEVILLE — A locomotive engineer claims a driver hired to transport employees injured him by shutting a door on his head.
Henderson Trucking says former employee gave confidential information to third party
BELLEVILLE — A Caseyville trucking company is suing a former employee and delivery service company after the employee allegedly disclosed false statements about her former employer's finances.
Swanson Martin & Bell expands offices in Madison County, St. Louis
Swanson Martin & Bell adds four attorneys from Heyl Royster and Pitzer Snodgrass.
John Scanlon selected president of Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
CHICAGO – Veteran attorney John P. Scanlon was selected to lead the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association as the 64th president after being officially installed during the group’s annual convention at the Westin Hotel.
Fifth District affirms Crowder's ruling in shareholder case
Appeals court sides with a circuit court decision ruling that the majority shareholders in a closely held corporation oppressed minority shareholders.
Sanctions against Wigginton clients in uConnect case top $16K
Chrysler submitted a $16,337.50 bill against clients of former U.S. attorney Stephen Wigginton in federal court on June 6, as the company’s cost of restoring confidentiality to trade secrets he exposed.
Illinois lawmakers pass legislation requiring financial impact statements on executive orders, ignore cost of bills they pass
House Bill 2379 would require fiscal impact statements on every executive order. However, less than 3 percent of bills enacted into law in the 99th General Assembly had fiscal notes.
Supreme Court continues e-filing transition with new digital deadlines
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Supreme Court announced on May 30 amendments to its statewide plan of converting to a digital filing system.
Rands appointed special prosecutor in Wigginton DUI; Former U.S. Attorney pleads not guilty
Illinois appellate prosecutor David Rands has been appointed to handle DUI and related traffic charges against former U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton who was arrested last month by Troy police.
Former CSX employee claims railway company liable for asbestos-related cancer
BELLEVILLE — A maintenance worker is suing a railway company, alleging that its negligence surrounding employees' asbestos exposure led to his cancer diagnosis.
Man claims driver struck his motorcycle in East St. Louis while pulling out of lot
BELLEVILLE — A motorcyclist is suing the driver of a car alleging negligence for serious injuries from a June 2016 accident.
Mother sues over Mascoutah rear-end collision
BELLEVILLE — A mother is suing a motorist alleging that her negligence resulted in a crash and severe injuries to her and her children
Couple sues two drivers for April crash in Shiloh
BELLEVILLE — A driver and passenger are suing two other motorists holding them responsible for an April crash in Shiloh.
Syngenta AG's jurisdiction challenge rejected but negligence charge dismissed in corn-price case
EAST ST. LOUIS — Most of the pretrial challenges filed by Syngenta AG in a class-action suit against it for the production and marketing of a strain of genetically modified corn were dismissed, though some were accepted by a judge in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
Madison County owes $4 million in unfunded pension liabilities; It's also paid nearly that much in interest in 10 years
Madison County owes more than $4 million in unfunded pension liabilities, according to Treasurer Chris Slusser. But what may be worse, he said, is that $3.8 million in tax payer dollars has been spent on interest payments over the last 10 years because of the county’s underfunding of two programs.
Jurors award $15 million over birth defects due to mother's Depakote use
A federal court jury has awarded $15 million to a mother whose son was born with spina bifida due to her use of Depakote while pregnant.
Illinois budget deficit projected to hit $6.2 billion by June 30, grow to $7.7 billion by June 2018
The state’s bill backlog is expected to hit $22.7 billion and pension costs are predicted to grow 14 percent by fiscal year 2018.