News from October 2017
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co., others accused of using asbestos in products
BELLEVILLE – A former laborer and farm hand alleges exposure to asbestos caused him to be diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
BNSF Railway Co., others named in suit by man who alleges asbestos exposure caused cancer
BELLEVILLE – A former employee of Canadian Pacific Railway Co. and for other businesses alleges that asbestos exposure caused him to develop cancer.
Motorist allegedly injured by sign on Green Mount Road seeks damages
BELLEVILLE – A motorist allegedly injured by a sign that was struck by another driver in St. Clair County is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
Man seeks damages after Belleville collision
BELLEVILLE – A St. Clair County resident is seeking more than $50,000 after a Belleville collision in which another motorist allegedly disregarded a red light.
Court rejects E.T. Simonds, Southern Asphalt motions in traffic accident case
BENTON – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois has ruled on a motion seeking sanctions against plaintiffs in a case connected to a 2005 traffic accident that resulted in one death.
Opening statements heard Friday for third Madison County asbestos trial this year
Opening statements began Friday morning in the third asbestos trial this year in associate judge Stephen Stobbs’ courtroom.
Belleville mother files fifth amended complaint against school district over picnic injury
A Belleville mother filed a fifth amended complaint after St. Clair County Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson granted dismissal in a lawsuit alleging her son was injured when a tent collapsed at a school picnic.
Seventh Circuit affirms summary judgment for ISBE
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for several Illinois State Board of Elections officials in a suit filed by the Green Party over excess candidate requirements for unestablished parties in Illinois.
Belleville attorney seeks to compel disclosure of settlement communication in malpractice suit
Belleville attorney Terry Brown filed a motion to compel a physician to provide communications with his insurer regarding a potential settlement in a legal malpractice suit alleging a Jefferson County jury entered a $3.75 million verdict against the doctor after his attorney failed to press for settlement.
Illinois' pensions debt grew more in one year than half of states' entire budgets
In one year, Illinois' pensions added more debt than 25 U.S. states' entire budgets.
Cook County repeals 'pop tax,' but lawsuits it spurred are still pending - though perhaps not for long
CHICAGO - The Cook County “pop tax” will soon be a thing of the past, after the Cook County Board buckled to public pressure and repealed the widely panned and unpopular penny-per-ounce tax on soda and a wide range of other sweetened drinks.
Passenger seeks damages after Freeburg collision
BELLEVILLE – A woman is seeking damages after a rear-end collision in Freeburg.
Driver, passenger allege injuries from rear-end collision
BELLEVILLE – Two individuals allege they were injured when their vehicle was rear-ended in St. Clair County.
Veath Fish Farm case against Purina and Texas Farm Products to proceed
BENTON – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois has allowed a case against livestock feed manufacturers to proceed, while granting the defendants’ motion to dismiss two of the nine counts against them.
U.S. district judge dismisses lawsuit against Honeywell filed by incarcerated man
BENTON – A U.S. district judge has derailed a man’s second attempt to sue Honeywell International Corp. and The Gardner Stern Co. over allegations that his medical issues were caused by not wearing protective gear while traveling in a radioactively contaminated area.
If the inmates are running the asylum, you might live in St. Clair County
There's never a dull moment in St. Clair County, what with judges and other public servants always finding new ways to entertain us with their disturbing antics.
Towne initiated felony charges against political foes while serving as state’s attorney
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois special prosecutor Brian Towne who currently faces 17 misconduct and misappropriation indictments initiated felony charges against four political foes while he was LaSalle County state’s attorney.
Associate judges in St. Clair County announce campaigns for circuit vacancies
Candidates lining up to fill circuit judge vacancies in next year's general election include three sitting associate judges who will seek nomination as Democrats in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit - Heinz Rudolf, John O'Gara and Chris Kolker.
Court grants protective order in Sierra International product liability case
BENTON – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois issued an order on Sept. 28 in a case involving Sierra International Machinery LLC and River Metals Recycling.
Consumer alleges Sprint associate made fraudulent claims
EDWARDSVILLE – A Sprint wireless customer alleges that she was provided with false statements when opening a new account.