Illinois

Burris Turned Away from Senate, Setting Up Constitutional Claim

Updated: The Senate has refused to seat Roland Burris, setting up the possibility of a constitutional showdown. The former Illinois attorney general said he would take legal action, the Chicago Tribune reports. His quest to become the next U.S. senator from Illinois may be helped by a 1969 U.S. Supreme…

Jan 6, 2009 1:45 PM CST

School Board Posts Transcript to Settle Open Meeting Complaint

So-called open meeting laws requiring governmental bodies to deliberate in public about official business, instead of behind closed doors, are common throughout the U.S. And so are violations, perhaps because it can be difficult to enforce such laws. Members of one suburban Chicago school board, however, are reminded of one…

Jan 6, 2009 1:14 AM CST

Ill. Enacts ‘Model’ Lead Labeling Law for Kid-Friendly Products

Following a special investigation by the Chicago Tribune into toy safety, Illinois signed into law this week one of the nation’s toughest warning label provisions. The legislation signed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday requires that toys, children’s jewelry and baby items containing even small amounts of lead be labeled, according…

Dec 24, 2008 4:41 PM CST

Illinois City’s Efforts to Shush Critics Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Says

A municipality in suburban Chicago violated the First Amendment rights of residents when it imposed greater restrictions on those who wanted to criticize the city in public protests, a federal judge has ruled. “One of the plaintiffs, Jose Zurita of Waukegan, won his claim that Mayor Hyde did not permit…

Dec 24, 2008 3:28 PM CST

Feds Ask Ill. Lawmakers to Limit Scope of Impeachment Inquiry

Illinois lawmakers considering impeachment for Gov. Rod Blagojevich have agreed to a request by federal prosecutors to limit the scope of their probe so as not to interfere with the government’s ongoing criminal investigation. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald released a letter Tuesday asking legislators to refrain from interviewing key witnesses,…

Dec 24, 2008 12:25 PM CST

Absolved by Firm, Ex-Holland & Knight Partner Faces Ethics Case re Timekeeping

After Matthew Farmer complained in 2005 that a fellow partner at Holland & Knight’s Chicago office had allegedly added hours to a client’s bill for work in a litigation matter that Farmer and others didn’t actually perform, the law firm said Edward Ryan had done nothing wrong. But now the…

Dec 22, 2008 9:19 PM CST

Illinois Judge, 44, Chases and Captures 21-Year-Old Suspect

Known for his harsh sentences, a Cook County, Ill., judge proved yesterday that it isn’t just on the bench that he can be a tough guy. After spotting two men going through the contents of his wife’s car at about 9:45 p.m. last night, Circuit Judge Nicholas Ford shouted at…

Dec 19, 2008 5:59 PM CST

Why Ed Genson Took on the Blagojevich Case

Fresh from a recent victory in his representation of R. Kelly in a child pornography case, “courtroom bulldog” Ed Genson explained yesterday why he is taking on the governor of Illinois as his latest client. “I take the cases that are fun,” Genson told the New York Times. Genson “came…

Dec 18, 2008 1:16 PM CST

Ill. Gov’s Lawyer Comes Out Swinging; State’s Top Court Nixes ‘Unfit’ Argument

An attorney representing the embattled governor of Illinois came out swinging today at a bipartisan legislative committee hearing on possible impeachment, calling the process “unfair and quite frankly illegal.” Meanwhile, the state supreme court has rejected a motion by state Attorney General Lisa Madigan seeking a determination that Gov. Rod…

Dec 18, 2008 1:37 AM CST

Convicted Killer Sends Christmas Card to Prosecutor

A suburban Chicago prosecutor has received a Christmas card from a convicted killer he is prosecuting for the murder of a 10-year-old girl. DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph Birkett told a judge on Tuesday that he received the card from Brian Dugan, now charged with the 1983 murder of 10-year-old…

Dec 17, 2008 3:36 PM CST

Prosecutor Concerned Blagojevich Impeachment Hearing Could Harm Case

Members of a newly formed impeachment committee of the Illinois House are working with federal prosecutors to address concerns that their proceedings against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich could harm the federal corruption case against him. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has indicated he fears an impeachment hearing will feature testimony from…

Dec 17, 2008 12:54 PM CST

5-Time Mom Sues Doc Over Alleged Labor From Hell

Catherine Skol had already had four other children. But delivering the fifth was the most painful experience she has ever had, she contends–and she’s hired a high-profile Illinois personal injury lawyer to prove it. In a lawsuit filed by attorney Kathleen Zellner this week against the fill-in doctor who handled…

Dec 16, 2008 10:07 PM CST

Gov Hires ‘Courtroom Bulldog’ as Ill. House Launches Impeachment

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has hired well-known criminal defense lawyer Ed Genson to represent him. The Associated Press calls Genson a “courtroom bulldog” while ABC7 describes him as “wily and pugnacious.” Genson’s clients have included former publisher Conrad Black, ex-Congressman Mel Reynolds and singer R. Kelly. “Defendants in criminal cases…

Dec 16, 2008 12:03 PM CST

Why Dan Webb Isn’t Representing Ill. Gov: Alleged Unpaid $500K Legal Tab

As a stunning federal corruption case was unveiled this week against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, many wondered why he is being represented by a well-regarded Chicago attorney rather than a nationally known big-name white-collar criminal defense lawyer such as, say, Winston & Strawn’s Dan Webb. The answer to that question…

Dec 11, 2008 9:30 PM CST

Will Rezko or Tapes Prove More Damaging in Case Against Ill. Gov?

Many of the headlines about the charges against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich focus on some sensational allegations contained in a government affidavit filed in connection with his arrest. In taped conversations, the affidavit says, Blagojevich talks about making an appointment to the Senate seat once occupied by Barack Obama in…

Dec 11, 2008 12:46 PM CST