Latest News
Monsanto pollution plaintiffs want settlement invalidated; Hearing set today
BELLEVILLE – Almost 300 plaintiffs in pollution suits have called on St. Clair County Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson to invalidate a settlement between their lawyers and Monsanto.
Madison County not liable for policies at children's exchange center, appeals court affirms
A man who claimed that a Madison County child custody exchange center violated the Illinois Civil Rights Act by unfairly making non-residential parents - usually fathers - wait longer than residential parents has had his lawsuit tossed.
Judge lays out trial plan for class claiming they were gypped over 'freshly brewed' Kcup advertising
A federal court judge has laid out a new plan to deal with a class action against the makers of a coffee product.
Katz orders ESL election board to issue subpoenas in mayoral ballot dispute
BELLEVILLE – East St. Louis election commissioners must issue subpoenas that mayoral candidate Robert Eastern III requested in a ballot dispute, St. Clair County Associate Judge Julie Katz ruled on Jan. 11.
Madison County saw nine jury trials in 2018; Jurors award plaintiffs more than $186K in damages
Plaintiff verdicts in 2018 may have amounted to two-thirds of the trial outcomes, but jurors sent a clear message to plaintiffs pursuing collision suits after they entered several awards for $1,000 or less. In those suits, a motorist was awarded $1,000 and two bus passengers were awarded $1,000 and $500.
Man exonerated after St. Clair Co. sexual abuse conviction says he’s looking to regain dignity
BELLEVILLE - St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly has wiped clean the record of Michael Foxworth of East St. Louis, who served a sentence on a faulty conviction for sexual abuse of his granddaughter.
Cahokia mayor’s team prevails before county electoral board: Holbrook, Kelly, Clay
BELLEVILLE – Cahokia Mayor Curtis McCall Jr. and candidates of the McCall Good Government Party bumped off all but one of their opponents from the ballot at a hearing of St. Clair County’s electoral board on Jan. 10.
Trump DOJ acts on threat to trial lawyers who sue on behalf of the government
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Department of Justice's recent effort to toss lawsuits it says it wasted hundreds of hours investigating is emblematic of a strategy under President Donald Trump to rein in trial lawyers who are using a federal whistleblower law to seek millions of dollars.
Schroeder rescinds summary suspension after Gori was arrested for DUI, citing ‘improper warning’
Madison County Associate Judge Neil Schroeder granted asbestos attorney Randy Gori’s petition to rescind summary suspension after he was charged for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Wigginton faces another DUI charge; Former U.S. Attorney arrested Dec. 31 in Edwardsville
Former U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton will appear before a Madison County judge next month to face another driving under the influence charge.
Appeals court: No rehearing for class action vs SEIU to obtain $32M refund of illegal fees
A federal appeals panel in Chicago has rejected the request by a group of home caregivers for a new hearing to reconsider the courts’ prior decisions denying them the opportunity to bring a class action to recover nearly $32 million they accuse a union of unconstitutionally taking from them under a state law invalidated by a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
After two years and two mediators, Just for Men class action fails to settle
EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge David Herndon managed a mass action over hair dye with mediation for more than two years and has retired without a settlement.
Report: Crude and sexual remarks part of 'locker room' atmosphere in state's attorney's office
Subject of investigation gets new job as patrolman
Fifth District rules for Lavite attorney Burkart in fee dispute with Madison County
MOUNT VERNON – Madison County must fully honor a warrant for fees that Tom Burkart charged as counsel to veteran assistance superintendent Brad Lavite, Fifth District appellate judges ruled.
Cahokia ballot challenges to be heard by county electoral board on Jan. 10
BELLEVILLE – Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson shifted Cahokia ballot disputes from the village electoral board to the St. Clair County electoral board on Dec. 31.
Bump-stock class action seeks compensation for government's 'taking' of property
WASHINGTON - While it isn't the first lawsuit filed over the federal government's recent ban on bump-stock devices, one initiated by Edwardsville attorneys at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims is the only chance, they say, owners have of getting compensated for the taking of their property.
Casino boss selected as associate judge, individual, company generous contributors to Democratic Party
The president of an East St. Louis ' riverboat casino has been selected to fill an open position as associate judge on the 20th Judicial Circuit.
Unclear whether Silas murder investigation remains open; Gleeson says JIB outcome will determine Duebbert return
Following the acquittal of David Fields, the man accused in the Dec. 30, 2016 murder of Carl Silas of Belleville, it is unclear whether the investigation into the killing remains open, or if it is case closed.
Ald. Burke indicted over alleged attempted shake down; Property tax appeal law firm at heart of charges
Powerful Chicago Ald. Ed Burke was indicted Thursday on a charge of attempting to shake down the owner of a Chicago fast food restaurant seeking to renovate their establishment. And at the center of the charge stands Burke's law firm, which has built a huge business specializing in appealing property tax assessments.
Belleville man sues state's attorney, officials for $10M over sex offender registration
BELLEVILLE – A convicted sex offender is suing St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly and state officials, alleging his reputation within his community continues to be irreparably injured by his registration status.