News from 2017
Following release from 10-year prison stint, Peel again challenges conviction and again loses
BENTON – Former lawyer Gary Peel, who challenged his criminal convictions from prison many times and always lost, challenged them upon his recent release and lost again.
Clay picked to lead association of court clerks
PEORIA – Colleagues of St. Clair County circuit clerk Kahalah Clay elected her as president of the Illinois Association of Court Clerks on Nov. 13.
Dismissal partially granted in age discrimination suit
EAST ST. LOUIS - Federal judge Phil Gilbert granted in part and denied in part dismissal in an age discrimination suit alleging a woman was told she was being replaced by a younger mind.
Herndon grants dismissal in former St. Clair County employee's retaliation suit
EAST ST. LOUIS – Federal judge David R. Herndon dismissed a former St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department employee's suit alleging retaliatory discharge.
Fifth District upholds workers' compensation ruling in shoulder injury case
MOUNT VERNON – The Fifth District Appellate Court upheld a decision out of the Madison County Circuit Court siding with a decision by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission ordering prospective shoulder surgery in a case.
Cook County retirees outnumber active employees in two years
Recently released data shows retirees outpacing active employees, adding pressure to an already stressed pension fund.
Fifth District rejects tractor trailer driver's back injury claim
MOUNT VERNON – The Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed a decision by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission that the estate of an Illinois man failed to prove his back issues were linked to his employment.
Illinoisans’ no good, very bad year
The biggest obstacle Illinoisans face in Springfield remains the same: an all-powerful House speaker, and members of both parties who are all too eager to kowtow.
Illinois flunks new nationwide fiscal report card
The Land of Lincoln received the lowest possible grade in budget forecasting and legacy costs.
Insurance company alleges renters made fraudulent claim
EAST ST. LOUIS — A Rhode Island insurance company is suing Illinois residents for allegedly filing inappropriate insurance claims.
Second annual Great Pumpkin Purge a success
Madison County collected 3.9 tons of pumpkins and gourds earlier this month during its second annual Great Pumpkin Purge.
Opioid litigation should not be opportunity for lawyers' big payday
Madison County needs to heed the lessons from the tobacco lawsuits and focus on what is best for Madison County residents – not on making sure personal injury lawyers get a big payday.
The Rawlings Co. allegedly refuses to acknowledge settlement agreement
BELLEVILLE – A health care subrogator is alleged to have misrepresented the extent of its interest in a case regarding a woman's neck injury.
Insurer alleges woman misrepresented that she lived in vacant house
EAST ST. LOUIS – An insurance company alleges that it owes no coverage to a Venice woman for a claim made by a neighbor after a house fire.
Suit against Pier 1 over customer's alleged falling chair injury may be headed to mediation
BENTON – A woman's lawsuit against Pier 1 Imports over injuries she allegedly suffered after a chair fell on her during a 2014 visit to one of the retail chain's locations may be headed toward settlement, according to a recent order.
Contingency fee debate continues over Madison County's potential opioid litigation
As state and local governments across the country contemplate how to go about pursuing litigation to offset costs of opioid addiction, a debate continues in Madison County over details of hiring outside lawyers to handle a potential lawsuit.
Enterprise denies liability in wrongful death suit
Enterprise argues that a customer’s death was caused by his own negligence by choosing to walk on the interstate to aid a disabled vehicle while waiting on the side of the highway after his rental car ran out of gas.
Madison County civil docket Nov. 21
Madison County Circuit Judge David Dugan is the only circuit judge with hearings scheduled on the civil docket for the week of Nov. 20-24.
Madison County real estate Nov. 1-7
An Edwardsville home sold for $730,000 as part of the recent Madison County real estate transactions for Nov. 1-7.
Madison County foreclosures Nov. 2-6
There were five foreclosures in Madison County from Nov. 2-6