Latest News
Smith denies Amazon's motion to transfer cases involving fatal 2021 tornado to Madison County for trial
EDWARDSVILLE – Circuit Judge Sarah Smith, presiding by Supreme Court appointment over trial preparation for Amazon warehouse tornado cases from Madison and St. Clair county courts, denied a motion to transfer the St. Clair County cases to herself for trial.
You Snooze, You [could] Lose: Timing Issues for Construction Defect Claims on September 7, 2023
Susie Lloyd, an associate in the firm's Commercial Litigation Group, Benjamin Migliorino, an associate in the firm's Subrogation & Recovery Department, and Peter Marxhausen of Unified Building Sciences & Engineering, Inc.
As request for federal bailout pends, does anybody have a clue how much migrants arriving in Chicago are costing taxpayers?
Layer after layer is piling up of incoherent numbers about the cost to taxpayers of migrants arriving in Chicago. It’s no surprise that the city and the state have now asked for a federal bailout from migrant costs, but how much is needed?
Armstrong Teasdale sued for allegedly breaching $1 million contract with asbestos defense chief
BELLEVILLE – Raymond Fournie, former asbestos defense chief for Armstrong Teasdale, claims his partners broke an agreement to pay him $1 million last year for working a transitional position after being forced to retire at age 70.
Illinois Supreme Court Issues Order Allowing Pretrial Hearings Under the Safe-t Act To Be Remote When Necessary
Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court announced an order entered to help the court system implement the pretrial release provisions of the SAFE-T Act, which goes into effect on September 18, 2023.
Mascoutah School District, volleyball coach settle suit with student
EAST ST. LOUIS – Mascoutah school district and volleyball coach Todd Gober settled with former student Brooke Junker on her claim that she was demoralized and degraded by a volleyball coach.
Customer sues Belleville Chinese restaurant after suffering allergic reaction to shrimp
BELLEVILLE – A woman is suing the Wing China restaurant in Belleville, claiming that she had an allergic reaction to shrimp in her fried rice after notifying the restaurant that she had a shellfish allergy.
Suit alleges Auffenberg dealership wrongfully repossessed vehicle
BELLEVILLE – A man claims an Auffenberg dealership repossessed and sold his vehicle even though he was up to date on his payments and refuses to provide a full refund.
Liberty Justice Center sues over law forcing Illinoisans to litigate constitutional challenges in Chicago, Springfield
The Liberty Justice Center is suing Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul in St. Clair County Circuit Court, challenging a state law that requires all Illinois residents to file Constitutional claims against state laws, rules, or orders in Cook or Sangamon County Circuit Courts.
IL Supreme Court allows remote hearings to comply with SAFE-T Act until March 2024
SPRINGFIELD – Although legislators require hearings in person for suspects seeking release without bail in accordance with the Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity Act (SAFE-T Act), Supreme Court Justices will allow remote hearings for the first six months.
Suit alleges money lender takes advantage of Indian tribe, offers rates up to 700%
EAST ST. LOUIS – Online lender Stanley Chao of Orlando collects illegal interest under a false cover of tribal immunity, Katherine Schnefke of Edwardsville alleges at U. S. district court.
An important lesson from Chicago on confronting the enemies of free speech
The modern left’s assault on free speech is perhaps the most terrifying element of the madness we have succumbed to for the simple reason that democracy is meaningless without it. The assault has been largely successful. Voices that should be heard are muzzled and, more insidiously, countless other voices are frightened into silence.
Illinois Supreme Court Announces Creation of Committee on Pretrial Education
The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the creation of the Illinois Judicial College Committee on Pretrial Education (CPTE) as a seventh Standing Committee of the Illinois Judicial College (Judicial College), elevating pretrial education from its current Pretrial Board Workgroup status in the Judicial College.
Federal appeals panel vacates $57M fee award in $181M settlement ending chicken price-fixing class action
Chicago federal appeals judges said objectors were right to argue a judge failed to give weight to evidence that the plaintiffs' lawyers have agreed to accept lesser amounts in other class action lawsuits on the West Coast
McGlynn grants AG Raoul's request for a new judge in challenge to firearm liability law
EAST ST. LOUIS – U. S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn decided not to preside over a challenge to an Illinois law imposing civil liability on gun makers and sellers for crimes that gun owners commit.
Banowetz appears in court as hearing is set in dispute over bid to withdraw guilty plea
EDWARDSVILLE - Circuit Judge Kyle Napp set a hearing for Nov. 8 on State's Attorney Tom Haine's motion to dismiss convicted killer Timothy Banowetz's bid to withdraw his guilty plea for the murder of Edwardsville asbestos attorney Randy Gori in 2020.
Metro East Auto Theft Task Force awarded $2.4 million grant
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias awarded the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force (MEATIF) more than $2.4 million to combat carjackings and vehicle thefts.
Madison County real estate July 17-21
A Wood River property sold for $685,000 as part of the Madison County real estate transactions for July 17-21.
St. Clair County real estate May 8-12
A Caseyville property sold for $1.27 million as part of the St. Clair County real estate transactions for May 8-12.
Madison County civil docket Sept. 4-8
Madison County judge Smith has law cases scheduled on the civil docket Sept. 4-8.