Legislation
IL lawmakers advance law to limit 'annihilative' payouts faced by business under biometrics law
The Illinois State Senate approved SB2979, which would explicitly limit the amount of money trial lawyers and plaintiffs can demand businesses pay under the Biometric Information Privacy Act. The law has spawned thousands of lawsuits generating hundreds of millions of dollars in legal fees
Asbestos
KCIC: Madison, St. Clair Counties were top asbestos jurisdiction in 2023; Cook County saw greatest increase
Lawsuits
Norfolk Southern settles Ohio train derailment case for $600 million, pursues third party complaint
Lawsuits
Objection: Dental patient allegedly 'judge shopped' after dismissing claim on eve of trial, refiling and seeking new judge
An Alton dentist and dental practice argue that Illinois Supreme Court precedent prohibits a former patient from “judge shopping” by voluntarily dismissing her complaint prior to trial, refiling it and then seeking a new judge.
Federal Court
Video game makers oppose MDL for suits alleging exploitation of minors
EAST ST. LOUIS - National consolidation of six video game addiction suits in three states makes no sense and probably won’t happen, argued defendants in the only suit at Southern Illinois District Court.
It’s simply poor investing – risky Chinese bonds at low interest rates – missed interest and a portfolio valued $12 million below cost.
State Court
Progressive Universal Insurance sues Tori Lonsdale, Cara Lonsdale, Pamela Green, and Chemical Concepts for lack of insurance coverage
Progressive Universal Insurance Co. has filed an appeal against the interlocutory order granted to defendant Pamela Green, Tori Lonsdale, Cara Lonsdale, and Chemical Concepts Inc., by the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois (Case No. 23-MR-167) on November 3, 2023.
State Court
Juan Reyes sues Randy Brinegar for denial of motion for subpoenas and reconsideration
Juan Reyes has filed an appeal against Randy Brinegar in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District.
State Court
Ron & Mark Ward sues Bank of Herrin for breach of contract and seeking injunctive relief
In the case of Ron & Mark Ward, LLC; RLW & MLW, LLC; Ward Chrysler Center, Inc.; Ronald L. Ward; and Mark L. Ward (Plaintiffs) vs Bank of Herrin (Defendant), filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District under case ID 21-MR-107 on March 20, 2024, the plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction against the defendant's default remedies on certain loan documents.
State Court
Jamal Shehadeh sues The City of Taylorville for violation of the Freedom of Information Act
In the case of Jamal Shehadeh vs The City of Taylorville, filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District under the court case ID 5-22-0829, a decision was delivered on March 22, 2024.
State Court
Norman Conrad, Nancy Thouvenin, and Charles Conrad sue Tauna R. Conrad and Cory M. Conrad for dispute over repurchase rights to real estate
The lawsuit, filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District (Case ID: 5-23-0403), on March 7, 2024, involves plaintiffs Norman Conrad, Nancy Thouvenin, and Charles Conrad against defendants Tauna R. Conrad and Cory M. Conrad.
State Court
Cheryl Wilson sues Amit Dande and Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants for alleged negligence leading to Leslie Wilson's death
In the case of Cheryl Wilson, Special Administrator of the Estate of Leslie Wilson, Deceased vs. Amit Dande, M.D., and Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, LLP filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District (Case No. 17-L-22), a judgment was delivered on February 20, 2024.
State Court
Country Mutual Insurance Company sues Gary Gang Xu, Xingjian Sun, Xing Zhao, and Ao Wang for a declaratory judgment on insurance coverage
In the case of Country Mutual Insurance Company vs. Gary Gang Xu, Xingjian Sun, Xing Zhao, and Ao Wang (case ID: 5-22-0287), filed in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District on March 4th, 2024.
Lawsuits
Maintenance worker alleges wrongful termination for reporting racist comments at Collinsville American Legion
BENTON - Gregory Clark, a white grandfather of black children, claims American Legion Post 365 in Collinsville fired him for reporting a white co-worker’s racist comments.
Lawsuits
Mother alleges negligent care during labor and delivery
EDWARDSVILLE - A mother claims her child suffered severe injuries due to negligent labor and delivery at Anderson Hospital.
Norfolk Southern settles Ohio train derailment case for $600 million, pursues third party complaint
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Following a $600 million settlement, Norfolk Southern switched positions from defendant in an explosion suit to plaintiff seeking contribution from three sources.
Objection: Dental patient allegedly 'judge shopped' after dismissing claim on eve of trial, refiling and seeking new judge
An Alton dentist and dental practice argue that Illinois Supreme Court precedent prohibits a former patient from “judge shopping” by voluntarily dismissing her complaint prior to trial, refiling it and then seeking a new judge.
Fifth District affirms stay in insurer's suit for declaratory relief while collision suit is pending
The Fifth District Appellate Court affirmed Madison County Associate Judge Ronald Foster’s order granting a stay against Progressive Insurance's lawsuit seeking declaratory relief while the underlying crash suit is pending.
Mother alleges negligent care during labor and delivery
EDWARDSVILLE - A mother claims her child suffered severe injuries due to negligent labor and delivery at Anderson Hospital.
Motorist sued over multi-vehicle collision in Collinsville
EDWARDSVILLE - A motorist claims another driver's vehicle spun into her car in Collinsville.
Gun advocates seek summary judgment in constitutional challenge to state's "Carry Ban" for gun owners under age 21
Gun advocates and their members under the age of 21 are asking the court to grant summary judgment in their constitutional challenge against Illinois’ “Carry Ban” for gun owners between the ages of 18 and 20.
Maag files expert witness list disclosure in challenge to 'assault weapons' ban
Wood River attorney Thomas Maag filed an expert witness disclosure on behalf of the Langley plaintiffs in their constitutional challenge to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s law banning so-called “assault weapons.”
Raoul asks IL Supreme Court to dismiss cross-appeal on claim that firearm liability law violated the three readings rule
In response to a challenge to the state's firearm liability law, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to dismiss Wood River attorney Thomas Maag's cross-appeal on the three readings rule for lack of jurisdiction.
St. Clair County jurors reach $60 million verdict in trial against Mead Johnson; Reckitt ‘stands by the safety’ of its formula products
A St. Clair County jury returned a $60 million verdict against Mead Johnson in the nation’s first trial on allegations that its Enfamil infant formula caused the death of a premature baby.
IL Supreme Court asked to hear cross-appeals on judge’s order declaring forum law unconstitutional
Madison County Associate Judge Ronald Foster’s order declaring Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s forum law is unconstitutional for plaintiffs residing or injured outside of Cook and Sangamon Counties has been appealed directly to the Illinois Supreme Court by both parties for separate reasons.
Stobbs announces associate judge vacancy in Third Judicial Circuit; Slemer set to retire Aug. 2
Madison County Chief Judge Stephen Stobbs announced an associate judge vacancy for the Third Judicial Circuit due to the impending retirement of Associate Judge Ronald R. Slemer.
Coalition seeks to let IL voters deliver message on parents' rights in November
Thousands of volunteers aligned with conservative social policy groups across Illinois are seeking signatures to place an advisory referendum on the fall ballot asking voters if they believe Illinois law should require parents' consent before children receive non-emergency medical care or therapy
IL lawmakers advance law to limit 'annihilative' payouts faced by business under biometrics law
The Illinois State Senate approved SB2979, which would explicitly limit the amount of money trial lawyers and plaintiffs can demand businesses pay under the Biometric Information Privacy Act. The law has spawned thousands of lawsuits generating hundreds of millions of dollars in legal fees
KCIC: Madison, St. Clair Counties were top asbestos jurisdiction in 2023; Cook County saw greatest increase
Madison and St. Clair Counties again saw the most asbestos case filings for 2023 nationwide, and Cook County saw the highest increase in filings according to a report by KCIC, a Washington D.C.-based technology and management consulting company.
St. Louis attorney cautions lawyers about using AI for research, but says it could still be used effectively
ST. LOUIS – Lawyers who trusted Chat GPT for artificial intelligence cited fake cases and a judge fined them $5,000, Paige Tungate of Downey Law Group reported to asbestos lawyers at HarrisMartin's annual Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference on Sept. 20.
Juan Reyes sues Randy Brinegar for denial of motion for subpoenas and reconsideration
Juan Reyes has filed an appeal against Randy Brinegar in the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fifth District.
Apple users seek class certification in suit alleging Photos App violates BIPA
Apple product users are asking U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel to certify a class action against the tech giant on allegations that it collected and stored their biometric identifiers through the PhotosApp.
Judges challenge IL Tier 2 pension reforms, say law was approved and applied unconstitutionally
If successful, the lawsuit could undo a key pension reform law, which many have credited with helping the state better balance its financially troubled pension systems. It also joins a growing list of challenges claiming lawmakers routinely approve controversial laws unconstitutionally
ARDC issues complaint against Duebbert over investigation resulting in exoneration of murder suspect
SPRINGFIELD – Attorney regulators filed a complaint against Ron Duebbert on May 5, over conduct that cost him his job as circuit judge.