News from November 2024
Failing Venice school district sued over discrimination, hostility claims
BENTON - Former Venice school principal Roshion McKinley and former instructional coach Lakishia Brock allege discrimination, hostility and retaliation against the school district.
Madison County attorney John Papa dies
John Papa, long time Madison County attorney, died in St. Louis on Nov. 16, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 73.
Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Scott P. Robinson As Resident Circuit Judge in Seventeenth Circuit
Justice Lisa Holder White and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Scott P. Robinson as a Resident Circuit Judge in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Second Subcircuit.
Constitution doesn't block Indiana's ban on gender transition procedures for kids: Appeals court
A divided federal appeals panel said the Indiana ban on surgeries, puberty blockers and other care do not violate parent's rights to direct their children's medical care nor the speech rights of doctors, dissolving a lower court's injunction blocking enforcement of the law
Alleged polluters can perform discovery on city of East St. Louis
EAST ST. LOUIS - For three years this city performed discovery on possible pollution by Monsanto, Pharmacia and Solutia, and now defendants get to perform discovery on the city.
ESL police chief says he wasn't served with excessive force suit; Facing $825K default judgment
BENTON - East St. Louis Police Chief Kendall Perry, facing an $825,035.97 default judgment on an excessive force claim, swore at a hearing that no one served the complaint on him.
Attorney General Raoul Files Brief Calling for Continued Public Hearings on Serious Cpd Disciplinary Matters
Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed an amicus brief calling for the continuation of a 60-year tradition of offering public access to hearings in serious disciplinary matters involving Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers.
SAFE-T Act pretrial jailing appeals drop 88% after court rule changes; 'Found a sweet spot,' says task force chair
The number of appeals filed by criminal defendants seeking release from jail while they await trial dropped from 1,041 in January to mid-April to 154 in the three months following rule changes to ease the burden. The appeals numbers are still up significantly compared to years preceding Illinois' criminal justice system reforms
Prison warden denied move to reinstate 'deliberate indifference' defense
EAST ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn denied leave for prison warden Daniel Monti to reinstate a defense he withdrew last year against prisoner Charles Yoder’s complaint of deliberate indifference to his medical conditions.
Honduran woman granted asylum pursues lawsuit against U.S. for the year she was expelled
EAST ST. LOUIS - Somewhere in Caseyville a mother from Honduras hides from gangs and pursues a lawsuit against the nation that granted asylum to her and her family.
Attorney General Raoul Condemns Racist Texts Sent Nationwide to Black and Brown Americans
Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement in response to reports of racist text messages from anonymous senders to Black and Brown Americans, including students, around the country.
Plaintiff lawyer offers to drop defendant in exchange for not removing injury case, removal notice says
EAST ST. LOUIS - Lawyer Branden Stein claims lawyer Joseph Bartholomew offered to dismiss an Illinois defendant from an injury suit in exchange for a promise not to remove a Georgia defendant to U.S. district court.
'Unconstitutional affront:' Federal judge strikes down Illinois 'assault weapons' ban
Saying the law falls far short under the Constitution, U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn entered an injunction which would block the state from enforcing Gov. Pritzker's ban on so-called 'assault weapons.' The ruling is stayed for 30 days, pending an expected appeal from the state
Madison County chief judge to retire Dec. 31; Stobbs has presided over asbestos docket 11 years
Third Circuit Chief Judge Stephen Stobbs announced Thursday he will retire on Dec. 31.
Justice Mary K. O’brien to Administer Oath To New Attorneys in Joliet
Justice Mary K. O’Brien of the Illinois Supreme Court will administer the attorney’s oath to 101 new lawyers on Wednesday, November 6, in the Third Judicial District.
Republicans sweep Madison County elections, claim 20-6 supermajority on county board
The November general election results reflect continued growth in the Republican Party's dominance in Madison County. Republicans Brynn Kincheloe and Donald McMaster unseated Democratic incumbent County Board members Mathew King and Robert Pollard, respectively
Judge quashes subpoena of doctor's tax and financial records in crash suit
BENTON - Rich, Rich and Cooksey of Fairview Heights didn’t convert a client’s treating physician to a retained expert, Senior U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert ruled on Oct. 31.
Attorney General Raoul Charges Adams County Man With Disseminating Child Sexual Abuse Material
Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Loraine, Illinois man with the dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
Stuart beats Keeven to retain 112th District IL House seat; Elik cruises; Schmidt poised to win
The race was marked by a concerted effort by powerful Democrats to block former Edwardsville Police Chief Jay Keeven from placing his name on the ballot to challenge incumbent Democratic State Rep. Katie Stuart in the seat representing portions of Madison and St. Clair counties
Circuit judges in Twentieth, Third Judicial Circuits win retention
Circuit judges running for retention in St. Clair County's Twentieth Judicial Circuit and Madison and Bond County's Third Judicial Circuit easily won their seats.