News from November 2022
Construction worker allegedly injured at St. Louis Major League Soccer stadium
BELLEVILLE – Several construction companies are being sued after a drywall worker was allegedly injured at the construction site of the St. Louis Major League Soccer stadium.
Chicago Transit Authority violent crime aims for five-year high in 2022; Red Line stuck in 'Wild West'
City data shows total violent crime on Chicago’s transit system is on track to hit a five-year high by year’s end, even with full-year 2022 CTA ridership headed for just half of what it was in 2019.
Rudolf reversed at Fifth District in dispute over phosphorous in carpet care product
MOUNT VERNON – Appellate judges found St. Clair County Circuit Judge Heinz Rudolf committed five errors when he dismissed a claim of unfair competition in the carpet cleaning business.
Libbra and Sheehan Volunteer to Assist Veterans
HeplerBroom attorneys Kelly Libbra and Sean Sheehan were part of a pro bono group of attorneys who provided veterans, active duty military, and their spouses legal assistance in creating wills and powers of attorney.
Former Bliss Haven employee allegedly terminated due to medical condition
EAST ST. LOUIS - A former Bliss Haven employee claims she was unlawfully fired due to her disability.
Deckhand injured by three-ton barge cable awarded $5 million in federal court
BENTON – U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle awarded $5,051,471.24 to former barge deckhand Kevin Beam of Randolph County on Nov. 8, for injuries he suffered when a cable hit him.
Suit alleges truck driver caused Interstate 64 collision
EAST ST. LOUIS - A Swansea woman is suing Norseman Trucking, alleging one of its employees caused a rear-end collision on Interstate 64.
Oh fudge! Consumer fraud class action dismissed over meaning of the word
EAST ST. LOUIS – Chief U. S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel dismissed a potential class action over the meaning of fudge on Nov. 8.
2022 election had most contested Illinois House races in 2 decades
Illinois’ 2022 general election was the most contested non-presidential election in the past two decades, with 79 contested Statehouse races. Illinois Policy’s Full Slate project helped give voters an extra 32 choices on the ballot.
Motorist alleges Amazon delivery driver drove wrong way, fled from collision
EDWARDSVILLE – A motorist claims he and his daughter were run off the road by an Amazon delivery driver who was driving the wrong way on Interstate 255.
Illinois Reaches Six Consecutive Months of Record Low Unemployment Claims
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today the state has recorded a new, unprecedented number of consecutive weeks below historic continued claims levels for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
State's attorneys: IL Dems rewrote IL constitution by eliminating bail; IL A/G: SAFE-T Act protects constitutional rights
Legal teams representing 62 Illinois county prosecutors and the Illinois state officials have squared off with opposing filings in Kankakee County court, with the fate of the so-called SAFE-T Act at stake
Employment organization removes wrongful termination suit to federal court
EAST ST. LOUIS – A wrongful termination suit filed by a former St. Paul's employee who sought worker's compensation benefits was removed to federal court by the professional employment organization that hired her.
Woman alleges wrongful termination after forklift injury
EDWARDSVILLE – A woman claims she was wrongfully terminated for seeking worker's compensation benefits after she was injured by a forklift.
Video game writer sues Belleville woman after defamatory posts went viral
EAST ST. LOUIS - Video game writer Chris Avellone claims a Belleville woman tarnished his reputation and career when she made false sexual harassment claims, and the social media posts went viral.
Worden woman alleges injuries from unprovoked dog attack
EDWARDSVILLE – A Worden woman claims she was injured during an unprovoked attack by dogs in her neighborhood.
Pritzker Administration Reopens Housing Assistance Program for Illinois Homeowners
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) is now open to support qualified homeowners who need help with past-due mortgage payments and related expenses due to financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
'Revelatory Storm' will come, but not fully in time for this election
When it comes, it will indeed be a “revelatory storm” – a grand epiphany that will cause future generations to ask how ours could have been so thoroughly duped.
Property taxes rise nearly $4B under Pritzker
Illinoisans will have paid an extra $3.94 billion in property taxes during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s term. Four years ago he campaigned on a promise of property tax relief.
Attorney General Raoul Urges FDA to Approve Country’s First Over-the-counter Birth Control Pill
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced joining a coalition of 21 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve over-the-counter birth control pills that meet applicable safety and efficacy standards, including a pending application for the nation’s first over-the-counter (OTC) pill.