Latest News
Yandle grants audit of pension funds for Gleeson Asphalt union workers
BENTON – U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle granted an audit of pension funds for union workers at Gleeson Asphalt Inc. of Belleville on April 5.
Legal malpractice involving Madison County asbestos claim will play out in Ohio
LEBANON, Ohio – Widow Kathleen Jones alleges in Warren County, Ohio court that work comp claims she released on advice from the Gori Julian law firm would have brought a greater recovery than a settlement she accepted.
Report: Madison County saw 307 suspensions rescinded since 2017; 89 percent from errors made by police
There were 307 rescinded statutory summary suspensions in Madison County DUI cases since January 2017 with most of them resulting from errors made by the arresting police agencies, according to a report completed by Bond County Circuit Clerk Rex Catron.
Economic statements of St. Clair Co. associate judges show wealth – and substantial student loan debt
SPRINGFIELD – Resources of St. Clair County associate judges range from relative comfort to a type of strain that affects a significant swath of the American population – student loan debt – according to a review of their statements of economic interest filed with the Illinois Supreme Court.
Suit claiming St. Clair Co. deputy sexually assaulted Cahokia woman settles
BENTON – St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson and former deputy Robert Sneed settled a claim that Sneed used his position for sexual gratification.
Beware of even the fine print, attorneys warn of ALI's insurance law Restatement
Beware of even the fine print, attorneys warn of ALI's insurance law Restatement
New litigation trend - talc exposure claims folding into occupational asbestos suits
While the rate of asbestos filings is generally declining in courts across the country, a new litigation trend developing in Madison County and elsewhere is the inclusion of non-occupational talc exposure claims within traditional occupational asbestos exposure complaints.
Yandle denies transfer request in 'false claim' opioid suit alleging drug makers, CVS participated in kickback scheme
District judge Staci Yandle denied a request to transfer an opioid suit alleging drug makers and retailer CVS participated in a kickback scheme by providing free nursing and reimbursement support services.
Statements of economic interest show local judges have strong interests in corporate America
BELLEVILLE – Attorney Barry Julian’s appointment as an associate judge in Madison County shocked many in Illinois due to his perceived wealth from having built one of the nation’s largest asbestos firms, but St. Clair County voters choose circuit judges from the same high class.
Wood River voters say 'Yes' to higher sales tax, in spite of court challenge over city's support
With a little help from city officials, and in spite of protest over that help, voters in Wood River have passed a 1 percent sales tax increase by a margin of 54 to 46 percent.
Judge grants TRO keeping Prenzler team at bay from county financials; Next hearing April 23
Madison County Circuit Judge Sarah Smith granted Madison County auditor Rick Faccin’s request for a temporary restraining order on a resolution the board passed last month allowing access to the county’s USL financial system.
Regular folks charged with DUI in Madison County - ones with lawyers - regularly get suspensions rescinded
EDWARDSVILLE – When a Madison County judge rescinded the suspension of former U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton’s driver’s license after his second DUI in less than two years, skeptics may have figured he caught a special break. In reality, regular folks catch that break routinely.
Judge Harrison declines to order Wood River to take down signs promoting sales tax increase
Madison County Associate Judge Clarence Harrison declined to order the City of Wood River to remove "vote Yes" signs positioned on city-owned property and inside City Hall that promote a sales tax increase referendum on the ballot in Tuesday's election.
Veterans sue opioid manufacturers and distributors, claim their actions led to addiction
Three veterans are suing the manufacturers and distributors of opioids, claiming they should have, or did, know the dangers of the drugs, particularly to those suffering from long term pain.
In court battle over access to county financials, judge allows Prenzler independent counsel
EDWARDSVILLE – Madison County board chairman Kurt Prenzler can hire independent counsel in a suit over access to financial information, Circuit Judge Sarah Smith ruled on March 29.
Gleeson opens new docket for breakaway plaintiffs in Sauget pollution litigation
BELLEVILLE – About 175 persons who fired their lawyers and hired Greg Lathram of Collinsville to pursue injury claims against Monsanto and Cerro Copper will get a different judge.
Handling of Smollett case leaves local criminal attorneys baffled; Law prof: 'Nothing about this feels normal to me'
For a University of Illinois law professor and local attorneys who have decades of experience in criminal court, the dismissal of charges against actor Jussie Smollett leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
Prenzler seeks to dismiss tax buyer's defamation suit
Madison County Board chairman Kurt Prenzler seeks to dismiss a St. Clair County tax buyer’s defamation lawsuit alleging his reputation and business were damaged after he was accused of participating in a bid-rigging scheme.
Wood River could face lawsuit over signs on city-owned land promoting 'yes' vote in tax referendum
The City of Wood River may face legal action over the use of public resources to promote one side in a referendum on increasing the city sales tax.
Another bill favored by trial bar advances in Illinois; Would repeal 'special interrogatories'
A bill that would repeal a requirement that jurors understand what are sometimes complex instructions in civil litigation before arriving at verdict is advancing in the State House.