News from 2023
Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judges Appointed in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit
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.
Meta Platforms removed to federal court a class action alleging augmented reality filters violate BIPA
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.
Shopper allegedly struck by stocking buggy at Fairview Heights Bed Bath & Beyond
BELLEVILLE – A shopper is suing Bed Bath & Beyond after she was allegedly struck by a cart being pushed by an employee while at a Fairview Heights store.
Prenzler: Temporary employee labor bill threatens economic development
HB 2862 threatens to undo decades of economic development in Madison County by amending the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act.
Report: Southern District of Illinois saw highest number of product liability cases filed in the last five years
According to a Product Liability Litigation Report released on Sept. 14 by Lex Machina, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois saw the highest number of product liability cases filed from 2018 to 2022 with District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel presiding over the most claims.
Migrant crisis is apocalypse now - and worsening - but Illinois leadership ignores the only solution. Why?
For Chicago and Illinois, suicide is apparently preferable to the only real solution available – ending sanctuary status and demanding that the border be enforced.
Class action alleges Zing Zang falsely marketed as having 'no preservatives' and 'made with all natural ingredients'
BELLEVILLE – An Illinois man has filed a class action lawsuit against Zing Zang, claiming the company falsely advertises its margarita mixes as having "no preservatives" and "made with all natural ingredients."
IL Supreme Court Justice Rochford's address to Dem Party fundraiser likely violated judicial ethics rules
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford defended her decision to speak at a Lake County Democratic fundraiser, despite ethics rules explicitly forbidding judges from doing so
Former employee files racial discrimination suit against America's Auto Auction in Centreville
BELLEVILLE – A former employee of America's Auto Auction in Centreville claims he was subject to a campaign of racial discrimination from his fellow employees, which allegedly prompted him to quit his job.
Notice of Vacancy for a Resident Circuit Judge – Whiteside County in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
Justice Lisa Holder White of the Illinois Supreme Court has begun an application process for a Resident Circuit Judge – Whiteside County vacancy in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.
Amazon warehouse builders, developers settle wrongful death suit for $250K
EDWARDSVILLE – Alice and Randall McEwen, whose son Austin died in the collapse of Amazon’s Edwardsville warehouse in 2021 during a tornado, settled claims against six defendants for $165,000 and received 36% of the proceeds.
Madison County real estate July 31-Aug. 4
A St. Jacob property sold for $940,000 as part of the Madison County real estate transactions for July 31-Aug. 4.
St. Clair County real estate May 22-26
A Lebanon property sold for more than $800,000 as part of the St. Clair County real estate transactions from May 22-26.
Madison County civil docket Sept. 18-22
Madison County Circuit Judge Chris Threlkeld has one case on the docket for Sept. 21
Wrongful death suit involving fatal train crash at trial in McGlynn's court; Ed Burris Disposal settles for $250,000
EAST ST. LOUIS – Five days before the start of a wrongful death trial against Amtrak, Illinois Central, and trash business Ed Burris Disposal, the trash business settled the claim for $250,000.
Belleville Crossing developer challenges federal jurisdiction in suit alleging funds were misused
EAST ST. LOUIS – Belleville Crossing developer Jonathan Larmore argues that U.S. District Judge David Dugan lacks jurisdiction over a lawsuit claiming he spent shareholders' money on lavish living while neglecting the property.
Harvey Aids Tinley Park-Park District in Mental Health Center Redevelopment
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP proudly announces that Partner Elizabeth S. Harvey has been retained by The Tinley Park-Park District to assist in addressing environmental issues for a new recreational space on the land of a vacant mental health center.
Illinois public schools funding up almost $2B since school choice program began
Public education has received about $1.98 billion in additional funding since the 2018-19 school year when the Invest in Kids scholarship tax-credit program awarded its first scholarships to low-income students to attend the schools of their choice.
Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $134.4M since 2002 to keep airport open
An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $134.4 million since 2002 to keep it operating.
Federal judge says Chicago woman, backed by anti-gun groups, can't use courts to force changes to state gun laws
The lawsuit, led in part by the Brady Center for Gun Violence, alleged failure to use existing policy causing PTSD in children of Black city neighborhoods with elevated violence rates