Illinois Lawyer Blog

An article in the Chicago Sun-Times today discussed some dangers associated with driving in the fall. First, the article referenced a recent State Farm Insurance study showing that teen drivers have more automobile accidents in October. According to the article, when October rolls around claims resulting from teen drivers spike 20%. Larry Williams, a Chicago-b… Read More

As I noted in my September 11, 2008 post, Graco Children’s Products and the Consumer Products Safety Commission[CPSC]had been inexplicably slow in alerting the public about a danger associated with the Graco Simplicity Bassinet. The bassinet’s metal framework created a very real strangulation danger and at least two children had become caught withi… Read More

Okay, first in the interests of complete disclosure… I am a White Sox fan. I don’t hate the Chicago Cubs, I just don’t care for them very much. Secondly, this post has absolutely nothing to do with the law. But I couldn’t let it go. As you may know, the Chicago Cubs ran away with the Central Division this year. They won 97 games and mor… Read More

The diocese of Belleville recently filed a Motion for a new trial after getting hit with a $5.5 million dollar verdict in a recent sex abuse trial. Bishop Edward Braxton directed lawyers for the Diocese to file the motion. In addition, Braxton sent a letter to churches in the diocese to be read at Sunday mass. According to news reports, the letter indicated th… Read More

The Illinois Supreme Court recently handed down an important retaliatory discharge decision in Smith v. Waukegan Park District. The facts are pretty straightforward – Greg Smith worked as a seasonal park maintenance employee for the Waukegan Park District. On May 8, 2002, Smith suffered a work-related injury requiring medical treatment and some time away… Read More

From the “You Can’t Make this Stuff Up Department”… Saw a number of reports today of an Illinois lawyer who was suspended by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee [“ARDC”]because of an unusual payment plan he concocted with one of his clients. The story begins in 2001 when the lawyer, Scott Robert Erw… Read More

In a September 14, 2008 editorial, the Chicago Tribune chastised the Consumer Product Safety Commission[CPSC] and its Chairman, Nancy Nord, for an inexplicable failure to act after receiving information about potentially lethal design defects in certain baby bassinets. As detailed in my September 11, 2008 post, on August 27, 2008, the CPSC ordered a recall of… Read More

According to a report in today’s Chicago Tribune both federal regulators and Graco Children’s Products withheld warnings about potentially dangerous bassinets being marketed under the Graco name. The article, written by Patricia Callahan, explains that on August 27, 2008, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission had issued a urgent warning, adv… Read More