March 2025

Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel granted judgment to the United States on Feb. 18 against a claim that an unborn fetus can recover damages under the Illinois Survival Act. “The court respectfully declines the invitation to create new law,” she wrote, She quoted Seventh Circuit appellate judges who wrote, “Federal courts are loath to fiddle around with state law.”…

U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle excluded lawyer Joseph Bleyer of Marion from testifying as an expert at a trial about legal malpractice in a St. Clair County case. On Feb. 23 she wrote, “He has never handled a legal malpractice case and has no particular knowledge, experience or training in the area of legal professional responsibility. “His anticipated testimony will…