News from March 2017
Student loan servicer's practices not in borrower's best interest, class action complaint says
EAST ST. LOUIS — A Shiloh woman has filed a more than $5 million class action against her student-loan servicer, who she claims steered her and possibly thousands of other financially stressed borrowers into repayment programs that benefited the servicer more than the borrowers.
Wood River business owners sue Roxana woman over defamatory social media posts
EDWARDSVILLE — A couple who owns a Wood River vehicle wraps and window-tinting business are suing a Roxana woman over defamatory Facebook and other online posts challenging one of the owners' Native American heritage and claiming the two are in an abusive relationship.
Judge removes opponent of fellow judge’s son from O’Fallon ballot
St. Clair County Associate Judge Christopher Kolker erased from the April 4 ballot the opponent of a judge’s son running for alderman in O’Fallon.
Supporters of 1 cent sales tax increase say it will relieve property owners; Plenty of critics say tax payers are already tapped out
Madison County voters next month must decide whether to increase sales tax by 1 cent to help schools with capital improvement projects.
Most write-in races unsuccessful, St. Clair County Clerk says
Write-in candidates, including those in April's consolidated elections, have some unusual hurdles to clear in Illinois that make winning their races difficult, St. Clair County Clerk Thomas Holbrook said.
Man blames wife's death on exposure to asbestos fibers
BELLEVILLE — A widower is suing Armstrong Pumps Inc., Aurora Pump Co., Borg-Warner Morse Tec LLC, et al, asbestos containing product manufacturers, alleging insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and death.
Union Pacific employee alleges harassment from co-worker
BELLEVILLE — A locomotive inspector is suing Union Pacific and a co-worker after he was allegedly forced to take medical leave due to physical harassment.
Disabled man files class action against Motomart for alleged discrimination
EAST ST. LOUIS — A disabled man is suing Motormart, alleging he experiences unnecessary difficulties when visiting the convenience store.
Transportation company alleges failure to pay
EAST ST. LOUIS — A transportation company is suing CSX Transportation, Inc., citing alleged failure to pay for completed work.
Man sues VFW following assault
BELLEVILLE — A man is suing a local VFW and two patrons for allegedly assaulting him.
Astronomers seek to strike woman's demand for bill of particulars; They say their 15-page complaint is sufficient
Two astronomers seek to strike another astronomer's demand for a bill of particulars in their suit alleging the woman made defamatory statements within their professional community.
Couple voluntarily dismisses suit alleging misrepresented termite damage following negotiations
Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge granted voluntarily dismissal in a couple’s suit alleging the company they purchased their home from failed to disclose known termite damage.
Crowder denies summary judgment in suit alleging attempted robbery at Collinsville Hardee's
Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder denied Hardee’s Restaurant’s request for summary judgment in a customer’s lawsuit alleging he was attacked in the restroom during an attempted robbery.
Trial continued in insurance dispute over alleged stolen vehicle
An insurance dispute over an alleged stolen vehicle that was set to go to trial March 6 was continued to May 1 at 9 a.m.
Attorney substitutes counsel in legal malpractice suit following former client’s motion to disqualify
Attorney Michael Reid filed a substitution of counsel in a legal malpractice suit after a former client said he and O’Fallon attorney Amanda Kelton Bradley Verett have “antagonistic defenses” and cannot share counsel.
Alton VFW seeks partial summary judgment in woman’s suit alleging injuries on dance floor
The Alton VFW seeks partial summary judgment in a woman’s suit over alleged injuries on the dance floor, arguing that it did not owe her a duty because the fellow patron’s actions were not foreseeable.
Disciplinary hearing for adoption attorney set for today
COLLINSVILLE – A hearing is set today in the disciplinary case against a Collinsville attorney accused of a conflict of interest in an adoption case.
Springfield week in review: Crisis builds with no budget
Disappointing. Frustrating. Intolerable. These are just a few words that come to mind when characterizing the Senate’s week (Feb. 27-March 3) of little action, especially when it comes to our number one job: the state budget. However, I still have hope that common sense and courage will win in the end, and we will get a budget that will allow Illinois to move forward economically.
Posner in eye drop de-certification: ‘that a seller doesn’t sell product you want is not actionable’
CHICAGO – U.S. Seventh Circuit appellate judges have vacated a class certification order that District Judge Staci Yandle entered on a claim that producers of glaucoma medicine purposely dispense excessive eye drops.
Wigginton bills county $31K for investigating signatures of tax cut proponents; Referendum ultimately passed 4 to 1
Attorney Stephen Wigginton has sent Madison County a $31,725 bill for his investigation into petitions supporting a tax limiting ballot initiative last year.