News published on Madison - St. Clair Record in September 2023

Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced that the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Lawrence W. Lobb as an associate judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit.

BENTON – Illinois legislators equipped Illinois judges to shut down every gun business in America, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) argued at U.S. district court on Sept. 15.

A Troy property sold for nearly $600,000 as part of the Madison County real estate transactions for Aug. 7-11.

An O'Fallon property sold for nearly $800,000 as part of the St. Clair County real estate transactions for May 30-June 2.

Madison County Circuit Judges have several cases set for hearings from Sept. 26-29.

A group of independently-owned pharmacies are urging the Illinois Supreme Court to review a decision by the Fifth District Appellate Court compelling arbitration in a reimbursement fraud claim against OptumRx.

Who do you trust? I’m not thinking of political leaders. I’m referring to people. Whether they go to church is as irrelevant as their political party. What matters is whether they put their beliefs above evidence. Do they put Tribe above Truth? If they are unwilling to look at evidence, then the answer is beware. We all choose what we believe. But if we’re unwilling to put evidence above ourselves, we can’t even trust ourselves. We’re all tempted to do it. You know who I am talking about because we are related to them. They are our friends and neighbors. They are nice people.

Juvenile violence is an ongoing concern in our community. All too often, my office prosecutes serious violent acts committed by juveniles including car thefts, shootings, and murders. Due to legally required confidentiality when minors are involved, and the uncertainty of terms of confinement in the juvenile system (these issues are explained below), some in the community may fear that violent juveniles are not being dealt with appropriately.

Three of HeplerBroom’s asbestos litigation attorneys will play key roles at HarrisMartin’s annual Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference, which will be held September 20 at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis. Brenda Baum is in her 14th year of co-chairing the event.

The Secured Lender has named Thompson Coburn one of the Great Places to Work. SFNet members are featured in the annual section and are honored for company culture, benefits, DEI initiatives, internships and fun perks.

Contradictory metrics statewide point to poor accountability and grade promotion standards in Illinois. Low-income parents seeking alternatives are hamstrung as lawmakers weigh ending Illinois’ only school choice program.

As the Pretrial Fairness Act component of the SAFE-T Act went into effect Monday, local state legislators were critical of the unintended consequences and expedited passage of the law eliminating cash bail.

After litigation delaying its implementation, the full provisions of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act went into effect on Sept. 18. Here’s what to expect.

EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn dismissed a class action complaint that labels on Walmart’s 3% hydrogen peroxide deceived shopper April Wright of Chester.

Alec Messina has been asked to be a panelist at the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Fall State Government Relations meeting. Messina will provide viewpoints and perspectives on key energy issues to more than 100 state government relations professionals.

BELLEVILLE – Belleville homeowners filed a lawsuit against McBride and Son Construction, claiming their home wasn't constructed in accordance with local building codes.

EAST ST. LOUIS – Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel ordered two experts for injury lawyer Brian Wendler to testify regarding preparation of their reports.

BELLEVILLE – A patient of the BJC Memorial Hospital in Shiloh alleges she suffered nerve damage while delivering her baby as a result of medical negligence by the facility's employees.

Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced that the Twelfth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Joan M. Meyers and Thomas Slazyk as associate judges of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.

BENTON – Facebook owner Meta Platforms, defending a claim that it violated privacy of everyone in pictures on Messenger and Messenger Kids applications, removed the claim from St. Clair County circuit court to U. S. district court on Aug. 31.