Can an oral order apparently disposing of all post-trial motions start the appeals clock running when the trial court is still considering a post-trial motion for setoff (and may be planning to enter a written order on the post-trial motions)? That’s the question that the Illinois Supreme Court debated in the closing days of its … Continue Reading
It’s become commonplace in domestic relations cases with custody issues, in Cook County and certain other jurisdictions, for the trial court, early in the proceedings, to enter a kind of “rules of the road” order specifying what the parents can and can’t do with the children. The centerpiece of these orders is usually that neither … Continue Reading
In 2004, the Illinois legislature amended the Illinois Environmental Protection Act to authorize mandatory injunctions to require cleanups of landfills. But could the courts use the statute to order cleanups of older landfills in cases that were already pending at the time of the amendment? That’s the question the Illinois Supreme Court debated during its November … Continue Reading
Although Illinois courts are generally presumed to have subject matter jurisdiction, that rule doesn’t apply when it comes time to review a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission. In order to initiate judicial review of a workers comp decision, strict compliance with the steps set forth in the Act are required. One of those steps is … Continue Reading
Does the Workers’ Compensation Commission have exclusive jurisdiction over a plaintiff’s claim for breach of an agreement to pay referral fees in connection with two workers’ compensation cases? That’s the question the Illinois Supreme Court debated during its November term, hearing oral argument in Ferris, Thompson and Zweig, Ltd. v. Esposito. Our detailed summary of the … Continue Reading
Does the innocent insured doctrine – which provides that one of multiple insureds doesn’t necessarily lose coverage if he or she wasn’t involved in a breach – apply to renewal applications? That’s the question the Illinois Supreme Court debated during its November term in Illinois State Bar Association Mutual Insurance Co. v. Law Office of … Continue Reading
During its November term, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral argument in Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star of the State of Illinois v. Topinka. Grand Chapter is a direct appeal from the Circuit Court’s holding that a “bed tax” on Illinois nursing homes violated various provisions of the state Constitution. The statute at issue, … Continue Reading
During its September term, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral argument in Bettis v. Marsaglia. Bettis presents an issue of potential significance to election lawyers: is a petition for Circuit Court review from an Electoral Board decision which isn’t served on the Board itself procedurally defective? Our detailed summary of the facts and lower court rulings … Continue Reading
During its September term, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Marks v. Vanderventer, a direct appeal from the Circuit Court after the court’s order finding the fee collection provisions of a “Rental Housing Support Program” unconstitutional. Plaintiff sued the Recorder of Deeds in Lake County, seeking a declaratory judgment holding that the … Continue Reading
So what’s the difference between a private postal meter, a postage label purchased at a postal service kiosk, and a postmarked stamp? The Illinois Supreme Court debated these issues with much at stake in the closing days of the September term in Huber v. American Accounting Association. The question presented in Huber is what proof of … Continue Reading
During its September term, the Illinois Supreme Court debated an issue of considerable importance to the State’s utilities. People ex rel. Madigan v. Illinois Commerce Commission is a challenge brought by the Attorney General to volume-balancing-adjustment (“VBA”) riders to approved natural gas rate schedules. Our detailed summary of the underlying facts and opinions in Madigan is … Continue Reading
During the September term, the Illinois Supreme Court debated an important question about the scope of the state Whistleblower Act: does a plaintiff state a claim under the statute by alleging that the defendant falsified information in its rate case? The Court is reviewing a decision of the Fourth Division of the First District, State … Continue Reading
During its September term, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral argument in a potentially important employment law case, Michael v. Precision Alliance Group, LLC. Michael poses questions about the parties’ burdens of proof in a case alleging wrongful termination. Our detailed summary of the facts and lower court opinion in Michael is here. The defendant in … Continue Reading
In the recently concluded September term, the Illinois Supreme Court heard one of the shortest civil arguments it has heard in many years in People ex rel. Madigan v. Illinois Commerce Commission. Madigan seems likely to result in guidance from the Court as to the interplay of the various filing deadlines which apply to challenging administrative … Continue Reading
Our reports on the oral arguments during the May term of the Illinois Supreme Court continue with a direct appeal pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 302 – LVNV Funding v. Trice. LVNV began when the defendant used a credit card to pay for plumbing services. When the defendant failed to pay the credit card issuer … Continue Reading
Our reports on the oral arguments from the May term of the Illinois Supreme Court continue with Goldfine v. Barack, Ferrazzano, Kirschbaum and Perlman. Goldfine poses a number of issues about legal malpractice actions arising under the Illinois Securities Law. Based on the number and tenor of the Court’s questions, several Justices seemed troubled by the breadth … Continue Reading
Our reports on the oral arguments from the May term of the Illinois Supreme Court continue with Lake County Grading Company, LLC v. The Village of Antioch. Lake County – which comes to the Court from the Second District – poses the question of whether subcontractors can look to local governments for payment when the general … Continue Reading
The Illinois Supreme Court appeared skeptical of a due process challenge to revocation of a liquor license during the recent oral argument in WISAM 1, d/b/a Sheridan Liquors v. Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Our detailed preview of the facts and underlying court opinions in WISAM 1 is here. WISAM 1 involves a liquor store whose … Continue Reading
Based upon the especially heavy questioning directed at the appellant during the recent oral argument in Estate of Powell v. John C. Wunsch, P.C., the Illinois Supreme Court seems to be contemplating holding that counsel who brings a wrongful death action owes a duty of care not only to the administrator or administratrix of the … Continue Reading
Actively questioning both sides, the Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court seemed conflicted during the recent oral argument in In re Marriage of Turk. Turk poses a potentially important question of domestic relations law: when the non-custodial parent of a child has significantly fewer financial resources, can the custodial parent be ordered to pay child support? The … Continue Reading
The Illinois Supreme Court seemed conflicted during an extremely active oral argument in late January in the high-profile pension case People ex rel. Madigan v. Burge. Burge poses the following issue: can the Attorney General challenge the actions of the Police Pension Board by simply filing suit in the Circuit Court, as opposed to pursuing administrative … Continue Reading
Our reports on the oral arguments of the recent term of the Illinois Supreme Court continue with Home Star Bank & Financial Services v. Emergency Care & Health Organization, Ltd. Home Star poses the question of whether physicians who are paid by their physician groups to work in a hospital emergency room can qualify for tort … Continue Reading
Based upon the oral argument during the recently-concluded January term, it is not clear what the Illinois Supreme Court is likely to decide in Nelson v. The Office of the Kendall County State’s Attorney. Nelson raises a deceptively simple issue: are the States’ Attorneys’ offices subject to the state Freedom of Information Act? Our detailed summary of … Continue Reading
In our detailed summary of the underlying facts and lower court opinions in In re Marriage of Tiballi, we wrote that the question presented was whether a parent who voluntarily dismisses a custody petition can be hit with the full amount of the fees of a court-appointed child psychologist. Based upon the lively oral argument before … Continue Reading
