News from May 2017
District Court dismisses suit against Schnuck Markets in data-breach case
A district court has dismissed a data breach suit against grocer Schnuck Markets brought by financial institutions.
Local activists honored by ‘Open the Books’ founder for taking a stand
The Edgar County Watchdogs – a “group of concerned citizens” that digs for and posts news of public corruption from 21 counties on its website – recently joined more than a dozen other citizens and groups who were honored for holding local government accountable.
Man serving 10-year prison term for shooting has claim of ineffective counsel denied
The Fifth District Appellate Court has agreed with the postconviction trial court that Perkins had effective legal counsel and was therefore not entitled to a new trial.
Ex-husband ordered to pay over half of woman's attorney fees, according to appellate court's affirmation
The Fifth District Appellate Court recently affirmed that an ex-husband should pay over half of his former spouse's attorney fees from the divorce.
Illinois Supreme Court rejects woman’s alternative driving impairment claim
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Supreme Court on April 20 rejected the appeal of a woman who maintained that it was low blood pressure and not illegal drugs that caused her to lose consciousness at the wheel of her car and seriously injure two other people in a crash.
Police officers reach settlement in wage lawsuit against East St. Louis Park District
EAST ST. LOUIS — Twelve police officers will receive overtime and back pay wages, as well as attorneys’ fees, in a settlement reached with the East St. Louis Park District and its police chief Marion Hubbard.
Appellate court rules Belleville woman has no standing to act as guardian for granddaughter
The Fifth District Appellate Court has ruled that St. Clair County Circuit Judge Stephen McGlynn erred when he made a Belleville woman the guardian of her 6-year-old granddaughter whose father allegedly has drug and mental health problems.
District Court sides with Ford in insurance claim case stemming from truck that caught fire
EAST ST. LOUIS — The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois recently granted Ford Motor Co.’s motion to dismiss portions of an insurer's suit filed against it last year.
Insurance company's suit to recoup costs of covering restaurant fire will go to trial
EAST ST. LOUIS — An insurance company's lawsuit against two business it says are responsible for a restaurant fire contained just enough possible evidence to go to trial, a District Court judge decided on April 21.
'Frank, you're still here? We thought you'd gone to jail'
We don't know if anyone has actually said that to embattled state Auditor General Frank Mautino, but we suspect a few people have been tempted to do so.
Clarke Power Services sued for allegedly failing to repair truck
EDWARDSVILLE — A trucking company is suing a commercial vehicle maintenance provider, citing alleged breach of implied warranty for failing to repair one of its engines.
Pub owner allegedly failed to pay for heating, cooling work
EDWARDSVILLE — A heating and cooling installer is suing an owner of a restaurant and a construction mortgage creditor over their alleged failure to pay for completed work.
Driver accused of causing fatal Alton collision
EDWARDSVILLE — The adult daughter of decedent Lester W. Anderson is suing who allegedly caused fatal injuries to her father.
Man sues following multi-car crash during funeral procession
EDWARDSVILLE — A driver is suing three other motorists, alleging their negligence resulted in a multiple-vehicle collision while he was driving in a funeral procession.
Passenger alleges intoxicated driver hit parked car
EDWARDSVILLE — A vehicle passenger is suing a driver, alleging she was intoxicated while driving, causing a collision and injuries last year in Alton.
New attorneys to be sworn in at Illinois State Bar admission ceremonies May 4
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier will be presiding over a bar admission ceremony in Collinsville today where 86 new attorneys will be sworn in.
Tillery firm alleges analytical company, economists failed to calculate damages for lawsuit as promised
The Korein Tillery law firm is suing Advanced Analytical Consulting Group and two economists alleging that in separate litigation they failed to complete methodology that would calculate damages, yet they charged escalated fees for their work.
Rauner seeks court guidance on illegally hired patronage workers in wake of special report; Hoffman and Clayborne connected to 11
In the wake of a scathing report from a court-appointed “special master” empowered to investigate political hiring abuses under former Gov. Pat Quinn, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and other state officials and lawmakers, current Gov. Bruce Rauner has asked for the court’s guidance on whether those improperly hired, thanks to political connections, should now be able to use collective bargaining agreements to leverage the experience they gained in those positions to land in different positions or even move up in the state’s employment ranks.
Woman seeks default judgment against debt collector for demanding payment on paid bill
A woman seeks default judgment against a debt collector for allegedly demanding payment on a medical bill that was paid by her health insurer in 2012.
Divorce attorney seeks sanctions against former client, attorney for allegedly filing frivolous legal malpractice suit
An O’Fallon attorney who was suspended for her handling of a family matter now seeks sanctions against her former client and plaintiff attorney and former Madison County Judge Thomas Hildebrand for allegedly filing a frivolous legal malpractice suit that they knew was time barred.