illinois supreme court

Legal Trailblazer Mary Ann McMorrow Passes Away

Brian Mackey — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:19:55 +0000

The first woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court has died. Mary Ann McMorrow was 83.

McMorrow's election to the Illinois Supreme Court in 1992 was just one of a series of achievements in a career that spanned more than 50 years.

She was the only woman in her law school class in the early 1950s. After that, she was the first woman to prosecute felonies in Cook County.

One of her colleagues back then was future governor Jim Thompson, who recalled their work together in an interview in 2006, when McMorrow retired from the Supreme Court.

Country Living and Livestock Farms

Rich Egger — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:53:58 +0000

Beware if you've ever considered moving near a farm in Illinois. A new decision by the Illinois Supreme Court reaffirms a state law that blocks nuisance lawsuits against farmers.

The case involves the Roger and Bobbie Toftoy, who moved into a new house across from a cattle farm. They found the flies to be so bad that they sometimes could not go outside.

They sued and won, and a judge told the farmers to fix the problem. But on appeal, the cattlemen argued they were protected under an Illinois law meant to encourage farming.

Schools Must Share Info About Employee Sex Abuse Allegations

Rich Egger — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:11:37 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled a school district that suspended a teacher because of allegations of sexual misconduct had a duty to warn another district where the teacher later found work.

Jon White was twice suspended from his teaching job in Normal. But the McLean County school district did not disclose that when the Urbana schools asked to verify White's employment.

White was eventually convicted of abusing eight girls in Urbana and two in Normal. He will spend most of the next 30 years in prison.

High Court: A Swerve Justifies Traffic Stop

Rich Egger — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:31:02 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court has issued a ruling that says police can pull someone over for a DUI stop even if the driver drifts only slightly out of his/her lane.

The case dates back to 2008, when a Will County Sheriff's deputy saw Dennis Hackett twice move his car from the left lane "slightly" into the right lane.

The deputy pulled over Hackett and arrested him on drunken driving charges.

High Court Upholds Illinois Legislative Map

Rich Egger — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:58:27 +0000

The state Supreme Court tossed out the lawsuit filed by Illinois Republicans, who challenged the new map of legislative districts. The decision was issued Thursday, June 7.

The GOP said Democrats drew the borders so the district territories would benefit Democratic candidates -- in effect, diluting the Republican vote.

Jurors Allowed To Ask Questions

Rich Egger — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:06:18 +0000

Jurors in Illinois could soon take a more active role in certain types of cases.

The Illinois Supreme Court adopted a rule that said jurors can ask questions of witnesses in civil trials.

Warren Wolfson, who teaches at the DePaul Law School in Chicago and previously served 34 years as a judge, said he allowed questions in more than two dozen cases, but had little success convincing other judges to give it a try.

Wolfson said jurors are more engaged in the justice system if they're allowed to ask questions.

Lying to Police is Obstruction

Rich Egger — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:59:36 +0000

It should be common sense that lying to police can get you in trouble. But an Illinois Supreme Court ruling says it can actually be a crime.

The case dates back to April 2007, when a LaSalle County Sheriff's deputy thought he recognized someone driving on a suspended license.

He got in his car and followed the woman home, but by the time he got there she was already going inside.

Shop Talk - February 14

Rich Egger — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:23:23 +0000

The panelists discuss a pair of plans to bring greater transparency to Illinois government.

Cameras & Microphones in Illinois Trial Courtrooms

Rich Egger — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:57:42 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court said it will allow cameras into trial courtrooms.

Illinois was in the minority of states in not allowing broadcast media to cover trials.

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride said Illinois media outlets will have to follow several pages of rules. Even then, there is no guarantee the technology will be allowed for all trials. The state's 23 circuit courts can decide if they want to allow cameras and microphones.

Gun Ban Case Heard by Illinois Supreme Court

Rich Egger — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:34:28 +0000

The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a case challenging Cook County's ban on assault weapons.

Three gun owners say they're law-abiding citizens and only use their firearms for recreation and self-defense.

Edward Ronkowski represents the men. He told the justices the law was too broad, and gave an example of someone buying a rifle. The owner could make sure he was in compliance with the ordinance by verifying the gun would accept only a four-round clip.