News from 2017
Widow alleges asbestos exposure contributed to husband's death
BELLEVILLE – A widow alleges her husband's death was caused by lung cancer from exposure to asbestos.
Former carpenter alleges CBS Corp., others failed to warn of asbestos dangers
BELLEVILLE – A carpenter alleges exposure to asbestos during his career caused lung cancer.
Armstrong Pumps Inc., others named in suit by man who alleges asbestos exposure caused injuries
BELLEVILLE – A former laborer for Myers Roofing Contractors and US Steel alleges asbestos exposure caused his lung cancer.
Widow names Ameron International Corp., others in asbestos suit over husband's death
BELLEVILLE – A widow alleges her husband's lung cancer and death was caused by exposure to asbestos for decades.
Government consolidation gains momentum, but there's more to be done
Illinois is taking small steps toward consolidating some of its duplicitous local governments, but bold reforms are needed to start addressing the state’s nearly 7,000 taxing bodies, the most in the nation.
Mudge grants divorce attorney’s request to withdraw motions for sanctions in legal malpractice suit
An attorney has decided not to seek sanctions against a former client who allegedly filed a frivolous, time-barred legal malpractice suit after the attorney was suspended for her actions in his divorce litigation.
Federal court judge sends injury case to Kentucky federal court
BENTON – U.S. District Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel both granted and denied in part a motion to dismiss defendant Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) motion in an Aug. 7 ruling claiming lack of personal jurisdiction.
Seventh Circuit: Plaintiff should ‘count himself lucky’ not to be sanctioned after filing same suit twice
Seventh Circuit appellate judges affirmed the district court’s order dismissing a breach of contract suit on jurisdictional grounds for the second time after the plaintiff appeared to add a new Illinois defendant in an effort to defeat removal and dismissal.
Area schools would get $15.5 million more with Rauner schools plan
Forty-eight area school districts would receive an extra $15.5 million this year if the Illinois House accepts Gov. Bruce Rauner's version of a school funding bill, according to an analysis by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Beiser's choice: $4.1 million for local schools or bailout for Chicago?
Defenders of Senate Bill 1 are putting a bailout of Chicago Public Schools ahead of their own local school districts.
Fifth District sends marriage dissolution back to trial court
MOUNT VERNON – The Fifth District Appellate Court has overturned a trial court’s dissolution of a couple’s marriage, holding that the lower court failed to explain its decision to award maintenance payments.
Fifth District finds man was not prejudiced by counsel in armed robbery case
MOUNT VERNON – The Fifth District Appellate Court has ruled that former Judge John Baricevic did not err in dismissing a postconviction petition of a defendant who disputed the validity of his waiver of counsel.
Woman claims lung cancer was caused by asbestos exposure from Alfa Laval, others
BELLEVILLE – A woman who worked at various employers in Illinois over a period of 20 years alleges she was exposed to asbestos.
4520 Corp. Inc., ABB Inc. named in asbestos suit
BELLEVILLE – A man diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year claims it was caused by asbestos exposure during his decades of employment.
Madison County civil docket Aug. 22-25
Madison County Circuit Judges Crowder, Mudge, Ruth and Dugan have hearings scheduled on the civil docket for Aug. 22-25.
Rear-end collision suit at trial in Mudge’s court
A Montgomery County woman’s negligence suit following a rear-end collision is at trial in Madison County Circuit Judge William Mudge’s court.
Napoli attorney Melanie R. Swearengen dies in collision with train
Edwardsville attorney Melanie R. Swearengen died earlier this month when her vehicle became stuck on train tracks in Brighton and was hit by an Amtrack train.
Moving to Cook County was a bad choice
The Illinois Policy Institute highlights the effects Cook County's soda tax could have on residents and businesses.
Stuart's choice: $4.5 million more for local schools or a Chicago bailout?
Defenders of Senate Bill 1 are putting a bailout of Chicago Public Schools ahead of their own local school districts.
Fifth District: Collinsville officer abused rights of driver who possessed 33 grams of heroin
MOUNT VERNON – Collinsville policeman Stacey McElroy plucked more than an ounce of heroin from a car after 16 minutes of investigation, too slow for appellate judges who found he abused the driver’s rights by taking so long.