News from March 2024
Cahokia Heights residents urge Dugan to order sewage cleanup, sewer repairs
EAST ST. LOUIS - Neither Cahokia Heights nor environmental regulators will expand the capacity of the city’s sewers and nothing less will work, according to residents pressing U. S. District Judge David Dugan for action.
Metro bus passenger alleges injuries during abrupt stop
BELLEVILLE - A Metro bus passenger claims she was injured when the bus stopped abruptly in East St. Louis.
Madison County communities ban unauthorized encampments on public property
Madison County municipalities are banning unauthorized encampments on public property, with Granite City and Godfrey being the most recent to join the movement.
Illinois' Economic Forecast: Madison County among highest in post-pandemic economic growth
According to the 2024 State of Illinois Economic Forecast, Madison County saw the strongest job growth in recent years and is expected to maintain that position.
Rosenstengel compels deposition of Apple senior executive, denies sanctions in BIPA suit
U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel ordered Apple to produce Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi for depositions but denied a request for sanctions sought by Apple product users who claim their biometric identifiers were collected and stored through the Photos App.
Prenzler urges Madison County residents to be aware of tax levy in property assessments
Last week, property owners received postcards from the Madison County Board of Review with news of township multipliers that are increasing their assessed valuation. Keep your eye on the levy. Your property tax bill is the result of the levies from various taxing districts.
The smell of Spring and primaries
If you haven’t received any political mailers yet, you will soon. Between the mudslinging and the promises, voters can be forgiven for throwing their hands up in frustration. But this is an important election - especially for Republicans - and I hope that voters can find at least a little care still within themselves to vote.
Fifth District reverses dismissal of motion to void sentencing in murder case
The Fifth District Appellate Court reversed the dismissal of defendant Nigel Generally's postconviction petition seeking to void his sentence.
Fifth District affirms detention for man charged with murder under SAFE-T Act
The Fifth District Appellate Court upheld the detention of Lavar A. Gilbert Jr., under the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act.
Dugan rejects remand in Walmart termination suits and severs claims into separate cases
EAST ST. LOUIS - Walmart turned down an offer from former employees to limit damages on their discrimination claims to less than $75,000 each so they could litigate in St. Clair County.
Attorney General Raoul Recognizes National Consumer Protection Week, Announces Top 10 List of Consumer Complaints
In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the Top 10 consumer complaints his office received last year and highlighted his office’s work to protect consumers.
Illinois Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments At Northern Illinois University on March 21
The Illinois Supreme Court will leave the Illinois Supreme Court Building in Springfield behind for a day and “ride the circuit” to hear oral arguments at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on March 21.
Heyl Royster Attorneys Attend Federal Bar Association for the Southern District of Illinois Women in the Law Symposium
Heyl Royster’s Amber Cameron, Brittany Warren, Tori Walls, and Jessica Zhu had an incredible experience attending the 2nd Annual Federal Bar Association for the Southern District of Illinois Women in the Law Symposium on February 29.
Lawsuit alleges Granite City man's remains sat in Lambert Airport warehouse for 3 days, rapidly decomposing
The daughters of a Granite City man who died while fishing in Canada claim their father’s body sat in a warehouse at St. Louis Lambert Airport for three days, suffering from rapid decomposition, because funeral homes in Canada and Illinois failed to properly preserve and collect his remains.
Sphar Co-Authors Article for the Illinois State Bar Association Business & Securities Law Forum
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Troy M. Sphar co-authored an article, “Ban on Employment Non-Competes Fail in New York, But Federal Threat Looms,” for the Illinois State Bar Association’s Business & Securities Law Forum.
Apple moves to bar software engineering VP from being deposed in BIPA suit; Plaintiffs seek sanctions
Apple product users who claim their biometric identifiers were collected and stored through the Photos App's facial recognition technology seek sanctions against the tech giant for failing to produce its Vice President of Software Engineering for a deposition ahead of the March 8 discovery deadline.
Edwardsville police officer sues over collision with intoxicated motorist
EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville police officer claims he was injured when an intoxicated motorist crashed into his vehicle.
Man alleges injuries when cable snapped while unloading crane
EDWARDSVILLE - A refinery worker claims he was injured when a cable snapped while unloading a crane in Roxana.
Yandle denies Meta's motion for arbitration in suit alleging unfair competition
BENTON - Owners of 107.1 FM and Advantage News may pursue an unfair competition suit against Facebook provider Meta Platforms, U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle ruled on March 5.
Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit
Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced that the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Carl E. Metz, II as an associate judge of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit.