News from December 2022
Rep. Meier meets with Consulate General of Israel
State Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) of the 108th House District met with the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest in order to create a relationship to expand trade between Illinois and Israel.
Plummer: Dems 'virtue-signaling' with bill to ban 'assault weapons'
State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) responds to the proposed assault weapon ban in Illinois, saying the Democrats are “virtue-signaling” rather than working to make communities safer.
Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike
More taxes on businesses and reductions in unemployment benefits were looming as a recession approached, but no longer. Lawmakers agreed to replenish Illinois’ unemployment insurance trust fund and avoid those pitfalls.
Former attorney Lakin dies at 82
Former attorney Lowell Thomas Lakin, 82, died Dec. 12 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Diversity Scholarship Foundation 2022 Unity Award Gala
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP was a proud sponsor of the 2022 Unity Award Gala on December 6, hosted by the Diversity Scholarship Foundation.
Suit alleges Edwardsville nursing home resident died due to negligent care
EDWARDSVILLE – River Crossing of Edwardsville is being sued after a resident died due to alleged negligent care.
Intoxicated truck driver allegedly caused collision, leaving motorist incapacitated
BELLEVILLE – A negligence lawsuit has been filed against Illini Grain Systems, alleging one of its drivers became intoxicated while on the job and caused a collision.
Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022
Illinois’ Executive Inspector General reported a record number of complaints, some alleging financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
Metro-East courts get reprieve from annual 'Hellhole' list; ATRA says issues have 'narrowed'
Madison and St. Clair County courts, which have been labeled "Judicial Hellholes" for much of the past two decades, got a bit of redemption last week from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA).
St. Clair County real estate Aug. 22-26
A Swansea property sold for $1.73 million as part of the St. Clair County real estate transactions for Aug. 22-26.
Madison County real estate Oct. 31-Nov. 4
An Edwardsville property sold for $1.85 million as part of the Madison County real estate transactions for Oct. 31-Nov. 4.
Madison County civil docket Dec. 19-23
Madison County judges Smith and Threlkeld have law cases scheduled on the civil docket Dec. 19-23.
Amazon counsel seeks to preserve Madison County jurisdiction in tornado litigation; Plaintiffs prefer St. Clair County court
EDWARDSVILLE – Lawyers have filed more warehouse collapse suits against Amazon in St. Clair County than in Madison County where the tragedy occurred.
Madison County’s 2022 judicial elections might be called DeLaurenti’s ‘Redemption’
The unseating of judges DeLaurenti and Mosele almost 25 years ago was known then and now as "the Vendetta."
2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" awards Jones Day 277 rankings
The global law firm Jones Day was awarded 277 rankings in 61 practice areas in the 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list published jointly by U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers®.
Nursing home sued over resident's COVID-19 death in March 2021
EDWARDSVILLE – The family of a man who died of COVID-19 is suing Riverside Rehab & Healthcare, alleging the facility failed to properly follow COVID-19 protocols to protect the decedent.
Student in Logan's cardiac sonography program sues over denial of religious exemption for Covid vax
EAST ST. LOUIS – Plaintiff Luke Wegmann’s devotion to Jesus Christ moved him to refuse vaccination and got him kicked out of a medical specialty program at John A. Logan College, according to a suit in U.S. district court.
Country Mutual sued for allegedly not providing insurance at cost to policyholders
BELLEVILLE – Policyholders of the Country Mutual Insurance Company have filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming the insurer is in breach of contract as a mutual insurance company by not providing insurance at cost and returning surplus premiums to policyholders.
Esurance had no duty to defend insured who bought insurance after crash, magistrate finds
BENTON – Insurance that LaJavion Ramsey of Belleville bought after a collision that killed a person and injured nine didn’t cover anyone, U. S. Magistrate Judge Reona ruled on Dec. 12.
Illinois pension debts jump back up to $140 billion; State shortchanges its annual contribution by $4.4 billion
What the market giveth, the market taketh away. Illinois state’ pension debts jumped back to near-record high of $140 billion in 2022, largely due to the funds’ poor investment performance. Both the stocks and bond markets had negative returns, worsening the state’s unfunded liability by $10 billion.