News from February 2024
Be Prepared: OSHA Enforcement Trends for 2024 and Beyond on February 27
With OSHA inspections rising by 50% over the last two fiscal years, an influx of hundreds of newly hired compliance officers, and aggressive enforcement directives permitting for citations to include hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties.
Local legislators respond to Pritzker’s historic $52.7 billion budget
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is drawing criticism from local legislators in response to the $52.7 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which he unveiled during his State of the State and budget address on Wednesday.
Madison County Board passes resolution opposing Illinois' sanctuary status
The Madison County Board voted Wednesday to approve a resolution opposing sanctuary state status in response to the immigration crisis for migrants and the potential for asylum seekers in Madison County, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls to continue funding services for illegal immigrants during his State of the State address.
Edwardsville homeowners allege renovators stole funds, failed to complete the work
EDWARDSVILLE - Homeowners claim their residence was left in a worse condition after a home improvement company allegedly failed to complete the work.
First trial over claims that Enfamil formula caused infant's death is underway in St. Clair County
BELLEVILLE - Pressure will build for weeks at the St. Clair County courthouse in the nation’s first trial on a claim that Mead Johnson’s Enfamil formula caused an infant’s death, but the first day of jury selection brought smiles and connected the community.
Attorney General Raoul Charges Winnebago County Man Over Allegedly Lying on Foid Card Application
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that his office charged a Winnebago County man with forgery and falsifying information on a Firearms Owners Identification (FOID) card application submitted to the Illinois State Police (ISP).
Prenzler censured over campaign card; Calls it 'a lynching with no due process'
The Madison County Board voted on Wednesday to approve a resolution censuring Chairman Kurt Prenzler following an ethics report finding he improperly distributed campaign materials to a county vendor from Ohio.
Mistrial declared after jury reaches impasse in former SIU-C professor's discrimination suit
EAST ST. LOUIS - One juror among eight prevented a verdict at a discrimination trial of former Associate Professor Tawanda Greer-Medley against Southern Illinois University.
Woman alleges epidural catheter broke off in her spine
EDWARDSVILLE - A woman with scoliosis claims a piece of catheter broke off in the epidural of her spine during labor due to alleged negligence.
Troy man sues over alleged botched paint job on pull barn
EDWARDSVILLE - The owner of a metal pole barn claims a painting company failed to properly prepare the surface before applying paint, resulting in damages.
Seventh Circuit affirms Dugan in Ancestry.com arbitration dispute
CHICAGO - Users of Ancestry.com agree to arbitrate disputes, but if they test their children then the children don’t lose the right to sue, U.S. Seventh Circuit appellate judges ruled on Feb. 15.
Dupo woman opposes arbitration in wrongful termination dispute
EAST ST. LOUIS - Amanda Aucutt of Dupo, who sued former employer Capstone Restaurant Group, claims she never saw or signed an agreement to arbitrate such a dispute.
Administrative Director Declares Illinois Associate Judge Appointed in the Sixth Judicial Circuit
Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced that the Sixth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Robert E. Jacobson as an associate judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Man sues over fall on steps
EDWARDSVILLE - A man claims he suffered injuries after falling down faulty steps.
Nursing homes sued over resident's death
EDWARDSVILLE - Several nursing facilities are being sued after a resident allegedly died due to negligent care.
Suit alleges man was crushed by machinery while performing maintenance
EAST ST. LOUIS - Lisa Mattern of Albers seeks damages from the manufacturer of a foundry machine that crushed husband Mark Mattern at Century Brass Works in Swansea in 2022.
Maag argues self incrimination claims support partial summary judgment in gun ban challenge
Wood River attorney Thomas Maag supports his motion for partial summary judgment in one of four consolidated gun ban lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Illinois, arguing that the registration requirement violates gun owners’ Constitutional privilege against self-incrimination.
Rosenstengel grants default judgment in suit over broadcast of boxing match
EAST ST. LOUIS - Khalilah Liddell owes $14,445.15 to Joe Hand Promotions for showing a boxing match at Teddy’s bar in Cahokia Heights without a license, Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel ruled on Feb. 13.
Prenzler addresses Edwardsville High School's proposed "all gender" bathrooms
Parents of young people in Edwardsville District 7 should be aware of plans to remove two traditional “single sex” bathrooms at Edwardsville High School – to be replaced with one “all gender” bathroom – to be used by both boys and girls – with 22 toilets, but no urinals.
Chicago criminals out on probation/parole/pretrial release continue violence in 2024
One thing Chicagoans can’t help but notice when scrolling through news feeds: the number of violent crimes committed by defendants while they were out either on parole, probation or awaiting trial.