News from July 2021
St. Clair County jurors reach defense verdict in ovarian cancer lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson
St. Clair County jurors reached a defense verdict in favor of Johnson & Johnson in a Smithton woman’s lawsuit alleging her ovarian cancer was allegedly caused by using J&J talcum powder products.
Gilbert reflects on law career: Time spent working with dad and uncle 'I liked the most'
BENTON – Kind words of a normally silent source sent Senior U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert back to the most satisfying time of his career.
Insurers contesting $2 million St. Clair Co. judgment point to document alterations in Gilbert’s court
BENTON – Opponents in St. Clair County circuit court who turned into teammates to stick insurers with a $2 million judgment altered documents in a bid to preserve the judgment at U.S. district court, according to the insurers.
Former U.S. Marshal sues over denial of retirement badge, credentials
EAST ST. LOUIS — A retired U.S. Marshal claims he is being denied his retirement badge, credentials and Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act ID card because of his complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over his forced medical retirement.
Pritzker, Foxfire restaurant continue tussle over limits of guv's COVID powers to shut down restaurants
In new filings in a Springfield court, Gov. JB Pritzker argued the constitution is no impediment to his public health emergency powers. Foxfire restaurant argues the governor can't just trample their rights and wave away their claims, 16 months into a "temporary" public health emergency.
Plaintiff seeks $10-50 million as J&J trial wraps up in St. Clair County
St. Clair County jurors are being asked to award between $10 and $50 million to the estate of a Smithton woman whose ovarian cancer was allegedly caused by using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products.
Women deny their social media posts were defamatory in suit filed by Exo Lounge and Nail Bar
Individuals being sued for allegedly making defamatory statements against Edwardsville-based Exo Lounge and Nail Bar deny liability, separately arguing that their statements are protected opinions and only accuse the business of “suspected” criminal activity.
Black workers suffer most from Illinois' slow recovery from COVID-19
Some parts of Illinois’ job markets are recovering, but not for Black Illinoisans. Many jobs are still missing from before COVID-19, including over one-third of the leisure and hospitality jobs.
Zoom is fine for due process in parental rights determination, Fifth District rules
MOUNT VERNON – Hearings on Zoom provide due process, Fifth District appellate judges Judy Cates and Thomas Welch ruled on July 26.
Doomsday for double-dippers?
Asbestos exposure shenanigans continue to this day, but U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle of the Southern District of Illinois wants no part of them.
Kolker enters contempt of court orders against J&J after witness failed to appear during trial
St. Clair County Circuit Judge Chris Kolker entered contempt of court orders against Johnson & Johnson after the defendant’s vice president of women’s health Dr. Susan Nicholson failed to appear for cross-examination during an ovarian cancer trial on Monday.
Three running as Republicans for Overstreet's seat at the Fifth District
Greenville attorney Tom DeVore has announced he will seek a seat on the Fifth District Appellate Court in the 2022 general election.
Netflix removes Shiloh's lawsuit seeking streaming service fees
Netflix has removed a class action filed by the Village of Shiloh to federal court, which alleges several streaming services failed to register with the Illinois Commerce Commission in order to avoid paying a five percent fee for using public rights of way.
St. Clair County real estate Apr. 1-9
A Belleville farm property sold for $1,155,000 as part of the St. Clair County real estate transactions Apr. 1-9.
Madison County real estate Jun. 14-18
An Edwardsville residence sold for $1,449,000 as part of the Madison County real estate transactions Jun. 14-18.
Madison County civil docket Aug. 2-6
Madison County judges Ruth, Smith, and Threlkeld have law cases scheduled on the civil docket Aug. 2-6.
Gilbert transfers Chinese tourists’ crash claim to Northern Indiana
BENTON – Chinese tourists whose bus crashed in Utah improperly filed suit in Southern Illinois, Senior U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert ruled on July 23.
Magistrate: Joinder’s only purpose was to destroy diversity jurisdiction
EAST ST. LOUIS – Edward Unsell of East Alton added an insurance agent to a suit for the sole purpose of defeating federal jurisdiction, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gilbert Sison ruled on July 23.
Veteran alleges he faced employment discrimination for military deployment
EAST ST. LOUIS — A military veteran who received an honorable discharge claims he faced discrimination for his military service/deployment when reapplying for the previous position he held for almost 10 years as director of the 911 call center in Jersey County.
Cross River Crime Task Force identifies stolen vehicle, other crime connections in first deployment
The Cross-River Crime Task Force deployed its first detail on July 16, resulting in officers identifying a vehicle that had been stolen and one connected to a theft in Godfrey, among others.