The City of West Chicago passed a zoning ordinance that banned certain billboards. Lamar Whiteco Outdoor Corporation sued the city, claiming the ordinance was unconstitutional. Lamar and the city eventually settled: an injunction was entered prohibiting the city from enforcing the ordinance against Lamar, and Lamar withdrew the lawsuit. Lamar…
Elena and Michael Sanfratello were in a disputed divorce case. Michael appealed rulings concerning child support and classification, apportionment, and dissipation of marital assets. Elena cross-appealed (1) whether certain of Michael’s businesses were marital assets and (2) confirmation of a sale to Michael’s parents of the marital home, which was…
Cheryl Heiden claimed Craig Ottinger was her daughter’s father. So Cheryl sued Craig under the Illinois Parentage Act, and asked for support payments from Craig. A DNA test of Craig’s blood excluded him as father. But Cheryl claimed Craig’s vial of blood was mishandled, so she sued the DNA Diagnostics…
Louis Mund sued the Browns and the Furkins for abuse of process, malicious prosecution, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The Browns and the Furkins asked the trial court to dismiss the case. They argued that the Illinois Citizen Participation Act (statute that “aims to protect defendants from ‘Strategic Lawsuits…
James Bertell was involuntarily committed to the Rockford Memorial Hospital. James sued the hospital, claiming its petition for involuntary commitment was late. The circuit court disagreed and dismissed James’s complaint. After the trial court denied James’s motion for reconsideration of the dismissal, James appealed within the 30-day deadline. Nevertheless, the…
Rick Santella fought with family members over control of Food Groupie, Inc., a closely held family corporation. Santella, and Mary and William Kolton were co-owners of the company. Santella sued the Koltons after they gave themselves bonuses and commissions, and stated their intention to close Food Groupie and to open…
The O’Briens were involved in a divorce case. John O’Brien questioned some of the actions of the trial judge and thought the judge was biased. John asked for substitution of the judge. John’s request was heard by a second judge, who denied it because of a lack of evidence of…
Dennis Ballinger owned a communications tower that was erected on property in Hancock County, Illinois. He filed a petition to obtain a tax deed for the property. Pettit Land, LLC. disputed Ballinger’s petition. Pettit claimed it owned the land, but not the tower, and that it properly paid taxes for…
The Illinois Supreme Court recently reversed the appellate court and dismissed Jennifer Keener’s appeal. Jennifer sued the City of Herrin on behalf of Chelsea Keener’s estate. Chelsea had been taken into custody by Herrin police for unlawful consumption of alcohol. After the police let Chelsea leave, she was struck by…
Benjamin Hernandez, adjudicated to be a sexually violent person under the Illinois Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act, was placed on conditional release. The State appealed, but filed its notice of appeal before the trial court approved the conditional release plan. Nor did the State file a new notice of appeal…