News from April 2024
Jamal Shehadeh sues The City of Taylorville for violation of the Freedom of Information Act
In the case of Jamal Shehadeh vs The City of Taylorville, filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District under the court case ID 5-22-0829, a decision was delivered on March 22, 2024.
Illinois Chamber of Commerce: Chamber Day 2024 – Death by "820" Cuts on April 10, 2024
Peter Steinmeyer, Member of the Firm, presents "Death by '820' Cuts" at Chamber Day 2024, hosted by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
Becker Named to 2024 Billboard Magazine's Top Music Lawyers List
Billboard Magazine named Jeffrey S. Becker, Partner, and Chair of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP's Entertainment and Media Law Practice Group, to its 2024 Top Music Lawyers list.
Gun advocates seek summary judgment in constitutional challenge to state's "Carry Ban" for gun owners under age 21
Gun advocates and their members under the age of 21 are asking the court to grant summary judgment in their constitutional challenge against Illinois’ “Carry Ban” for gun owners between the ages of 18 and 20.
Rep. Schmidt donates legislative pay raise he opposed to food pantries; 'I put my money where my mouth is'
Illinois State Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is donating the legislative pay raise he voted against to community food pantries within his district each month.
Welcome to Our Newest Senior Counsel
We are excited to announce Julie A. Simaytis has joined the firm’s Labor & Employment and Education Law Groups.
Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge 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 Gabriel G. Orenic as an associate judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.
Maag files expert witness list disclosure in challenge to 'assault weapons' ban
Wood River attorney Thomas Maag filed an expert witness disclosure on behalf of the Langley plaintiffs in their constitutional challenge to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s law banning so-called “assault weapons.”
Amazon can't escape potentially huge biometrics class action over virtual try-on tool
A federal judge has cleared a Cook County woman and her Chicago lawyers to proceed with a class action under Illinois' biometrics privacy law. The same woman and her lawyers failed in 2022 in their bid to target an online eyewear seller over similar claims
Agriculture offices, universities subpoenaed in Paraquat litigation
EAST ST. LOUIS - Mass action lawyers who claim weed killer paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease responded to an order for individual discovery by serving subpoenas on 48 agriculture offices from Idaho to Georgia and two universities.
Attorney General Raoul Supports Efforts to Protect Access to Emergency Abortion Care
Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of today a coalition of 24 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States urging the court to protect access to emergency abortion care in Idaho, consistent with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
Raoul asks IL Supreme Court to dismiss cross-appeal on claim that firearm liability law violated the three readings rule
In response to a challenge to the state's firearm liability law, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to dismiss Wood River attorney Thomas Maag's cross-appeal on the three readings rule for lack of jurisdiction.
Stobbs announces associate judge vacancy in Third Judicial Circuit; Slemer set to retire Aug. 2
Madison County Chief Judge Stephen Stobbs announced an associate judge vacancy for the Third Judicial Circuit due to the impending retirement of Associate Judge Ronald R. Slemer.
EEOC files rare lawsuit against pig weaning company Sis-Bro for allegedly discriminating against transgender employee
EAST ST. LOUIS - Employment regulators claim pig weaners Clare Schilling of New Athens and Drew Schilling of Smithton constructively discharged a transgender employee after transition from male to female.
Dugan rejects Cahokia Heights' report on sewer system
EAST ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge David Dugan rejected a report by Cahokia Heights on progress toward a consent decree for better sewers and decided to measure it for himself.
Fifth District affirms stay in insurer's suit for declaratory relief while collision suit is pending
The Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed Madison County Associate Judge Ronald Foster’s order granting a stay against Progressive Insurance's lawsuit seeking declaratory relief while the underlying crash suit is pending.
Norman Conrad, Nancy Thouvenin, and Charles Conrad sue Tauna R. Conrad and Cory M. Conrad for dispute over repurchase rights to real estate
The lawsuit, filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District (Case ID: 5-23-0403), on March 7, 2024, involves plaintiffs Norman Conrad, Nancy Thouvenin, and Charles Conrad against defendants Tauna R. Conrad and Cory M. Conrad.
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company sues Chandler Durbin, Christian Cox, and Blake C. Stuckey for insurance coverage dispute
The lawsuit filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District, with the court case ID 19-MR-5 and dated March 15, 2024, involves Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa (plaintiff) against Chandler Durbin, Christian Cox, and Blake C. Stuckey (defendants).
Jamal Shehadeh sues City of Taylorville for denial of Freedom of Information Act request
In the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District, plaintiff Jamal Shehadeh filed a case against the City of Taylorville.
Maurice G. Miner sues Illinois Human Rights Commission, Illinois Department of Human Rights, and Illinois Department of Central Management Services for racial discrimination
In the case of Maurice G. Miner vs. Illinois Human Rights Commission, Illinois Department of Human Rights, and Illinois Department of Central Management Services, filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois (Fifth District), with the court case ID 5-22-0648 on February 2, 2024, Miner alleges racial discrimination and unequal treatment at his workplace.