News from May 2017
Misconduct involving U.S. Attorney's relationship with subordinate detailed in OIG report
WASHINGTON – A recent misconduct report prepared by the Office of the Inspector General indicates that a U.S. Attorney carried on an affair with a subordinate and quit the job when Washington found out.
BCBS directors seek to move Cates class action out of St. Clair County
Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, contesting a class claim for damages and appointment of a receiver, have asked St. Clair County Associate Judge Christopher Kolker to transfer the action to Cook County.
Fifth District affirms $785K whistleblower verdict in alleged EPA violations case
The Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed a Madison County jury’s verdict and Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth’s handling of a truck driver’s whistleblower suit alleging he was terminated after reporting his employer for allegedly inappropriately dumping toxic substances.
Metro-East area taxpayers would pay an extra $117M if Democrats’ tax hike becomes law
Metro-East area taxpayers would see a total of $117 million in state income tax increases if a tax hike measure passed by the Democrat-controlled Illinois State Senate becomes law.
District judge issues final pretrial order in Depakote drug case
EAST ST. LOUIS — A federal judge on May 9 issued a final pretrial order for a case challenging the safety of the drug Depakote, an antiepileptic drug used to treat bipolar disorder and seizures, ordering both sides to submit jury instructions for an expected trial.
Student loan servicer says proposed class action 'piggybacked' on similar suits alleging borrowers were steered into costly repayment programs
A student loan servicer seeks to dismiss a proposed class action claiming financially stressed borrowers were steered into costly repayment programs, arguing that the suit “piggybacked” on two similar lawsuits against Navient.
St. Clair County jury reached defense verdict in man's suit alleging his prosthetic eye popped out of his head; Plaintiff previously rejected arbitration award
A St. Clair County jury ruled in favor of Metro in a passenger’s lawsuit alleging his eye popped out of his head when the train doors closed on him as he was exiting.
AOIC Director Tardy retires from state courts office; Meis to take over Aug. 1
SPRINGFIELD -- Marcia Meis will take over as the director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts August 1 after current director Michael Tardy announced his retirement May 23.
Kathryn Modeer joins HeplerBroom's Edwardsville office
Attorney Kathryn L. Modeer joined HeplerBroom's Edwardsville location, focusing on complex, multi-party civil cases and class actions.
TCPA settlement that would have awarded lawyers four times the class shredded by Yandle
BENTON – U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle shredded a settlement of a class action against Sterling Management Systems, finding it would have awarded class counsel almost four times as much as the class.
St. Clair County real estate May 1-5
A Caseyville home sold for $550,000 as part of the recent St. Clair County real estate transactions for May 1-5.
Madison County real estate May 4-5
A Troy home sold for $530,000 as part of the recent Madison County real estate transactions for May 4-5.
Archview Medical Specialists, doctor accused of negligence over implant surgery
BELLEVILLE — A patient is suing a hospital and doctor., claiming he was harmed in an implant surgery gone wrong.
Unclaimed property bill affecting life insurance policies back to '96 passes; Not without criticism
A law requiring insurance companies to locate beneficiaries of unclaimed life insurance policies as far back as 1996 has passed the Illinois General Assembly.
Madison County foreclosures May 22-25
There were 15 foreclosures in Madison County from May 22-25.
Madison County civil docket June 5-9
There are 18 cases with hearings scheduled on the Madison County civil docket for June 5-9 at 9 a.m. with Circuit Judges Matoesian, Dugan and Ruth and Associate Judge Harrison.
Madison County asbestos jury docket June 5
The Madison County asbestos jury docket is scheduled for June 5 at 9 a.m. in Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs' courtroom, room 327.
Madison County asbestos motion docket June 5-9
The Madison County asbestos motion docket is scheduled for June 5-9 at 9 a.m. in Associate Judge Stephen Stobbs' courtroom, room 327.
Robocalls targeting three local House districts with strong message against income tax hike
A proposal increasing state income taxes by 32 percent that passed in the State Senate by Democrats only has inspired the state GOP to target certain House district with robocalls in advance of a possible vote.
Judge denies class motion in unsolicited-fax suit against Sterling Management Systems
BENTON — A motion for the final approval of a class-action suit filed against Sterling Management Systems for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act has been denied by an Illinois federal court judge.