A man is suing a supermarket following an accident that occurred on its premises.

Terrance Higgins filed a complaint Sept. 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Gateway 1 Inc., doing business as Gateway Supermarket, citing negligence.

On June 27, the complaint states, Higgins was walking through Gateway Supermarket in East St. Louis when he suddenly slipped and fell to the ground, where he was unable to get up and remained lying in accumulated water from a leaking storage freezer.

The complaint states the defendant was negligent in failing to maintain safe premises, allowing substances to accumulate upon stair treads frequently traveled upon by patrons, and failing to warn of the hazardous condition, among other negligent acts or omissions.

As a result of the accident, Higgins sustained injuries, including a compression fracture to his cervical spine and sprains and strains to his back and neck, for which he has incurred medical expenses.

Higgins seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs of the suit.

He is represented by Brian Stokes of The Stokes Law Office in St. Louis, Mo.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-499

A Madison County woman is suing a bar for serving alcohol to a patron who allegedly drove her vehicle into the plaintiff's home.

Myrtle Kirk filed suit on Sept. 4 in Madison County Circuit Court against defendants D.J.’s Bar and Grill Inc. and Debra Lovell, the holder of the bar’s liquor license. The suit includes counts for negligence in serving the liquor as well as for property damage.

According to the lawsuit, on Nov. 18, 2014, the defendant served liquor to Alexas Graham, a patron of the bar who became intoxicated and later drove her car into the plaintiff’s house.

The accident caused Kirk to allegedly suffer injuries to her back, neck, shoulders and other areas, some of which may be permanent. In addition, the complaint alleges property damage to the plaintiff’s house, the suit states.

Attorney Michael P. Glisson with the Alton firm of Williamson, Webster, Falb & Glissom is representing Kirk in the lawsuit, which seeks damages in excess of $50,000.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1142.

A St. Clair County woman is suing a hospital in the death of her unborn child.

Plaintiff Shayvonne Breeding, administrator of the estate of Jerron Malik Williams (Breeding’s deceased infant son), filed suit on Sept. 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Touchette Regional Hospital Inc. The following are listed as respondents in discovery: Belleville Family Health Center, Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and St. Louis University (dba Slucare).

According to the complaint, on Sept. 26, 2013, the plaintiff came to Belleville Family Health Center complaining of fluid leakage in the 26th week of her pregnancy. After an ultrasound showed reduced amniotic fluid, the plaintiff was rushed to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where the baby was delivered by emergency C-section. The child died shortly after the birth. The suit alleges the defendant provided negligent care and initially misdiagnosed the leakage as bladder/urinary problems.

Attorney Nathaniel O. Brown of the Belleville, Ill. firm Weilmuenster & Keck P.C. is representing the plaintiff, who is seeking damages in excess of $50,000.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-502.

A man is suing another man following a vehicle collision the two were involved in on Route 67.

Edward G. Drach filed a on complaint Sept. 3 in Madison County Circuit Court against Calvin J. Davis, alleging negligence.

On Dec. 24, 2013, at approximately 5:03 p.m., the complaint states, Drach was driving his 2006 Ford automobile southbound on Route 67 near Northport in Alton. At the same time, Davis, driving his 2003 Chrysler automobile northbound on Route 67, attempted to make a left turn onto Northport and allegedly collided with Drach's vehicle.

The complaint states Davis was negligent in failing to reduce his speed to avoid a collision, speeding, failing to maneuver to avoid a collision, failing to keep a proper lookout and failing to yield the right-of-way.

As a result, Drach suffered injuries to his neck and right shoulder, for which he has incurred medical expenses. He has also experienced pain and suffering, lost wages and earning capacity, and suffered disability and disfigurement as a result of the accident, the complaint states.

Drach seeks a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs of the suit. He is represented by Rodney D. Caffey of the Caffey Law Firm LLC in Godfrey.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1147

A Madison County man is suing over his alleged injuries after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the street.

Clifford Mathis filed a complaint on Sept. 4 in Madison County Circuit Court against Scott J. Kirsch, alleging negligence.

On June 9 at approximately 2:21 a.m., the complaint states, Mathis was attempting to cross Haller Street near its intersection with Lorena in Wood River, when he was struck and injured by a vehicle driven by Kirsch.

The complaint states that Kirsch was negligent in failing to keep his vehicle under control, speeding, failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to slow down for a pedestrian crossing the roadway and crossing the center line when it was unsafe to do so.

As a result, Mathis claims he suffered injuries to his left leg, neck, and head, for which he has incurred medical expenses.

Mathis seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs of the suit. He is represented by Samuel A. Mormino Jr. of Mormino Velloff & Snider PC in Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1148

A Madison County woman is suing two businesses, alleging negligence in construction of a wheelchair ramp that she says led to an accident.

Maryanne G. Wagner filed a lawsuit Sept. 8 in Madison County Circuit Court against Tri-Mor Properties Inc. and Granite City Vision Inc., alleging negligence.

On Aug. 1, the complaint states, Wagner was on the Granite City Vision premises in Granite City, attempting to access the wheelchair ramp leading to the facility, when her wheelchair abruptly stopped on the ramp and caused her to fall to the pavement.

The suit says the defendants were negligent in failing to provide a safe wheelchair ramp, which had eroded, was damaged and rutted, and had a large bump, failed to properly inspect the ramp and repair the unsafe conditions, did not supply a wheelchair ramp made of improper materials and failed to warn of the unsafe conditions, among other negligent acts or omissions.

As a result, the lawsuit says, Wagner suffered injuries to her left ankle and foot, both knees and related areas that have required medical treatment and expenses.

Wagner seeks a judgment against each defendant of more than $50,000, plus costs of the suit. She is represented by attorneys Brian M. Wendler and Ellen R. Burford of Wendler Law in Edwardsville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1160.

An Edwardsville man is suing a storage company for allegedly taking his belongings without proper warning of late payments.

Plaintiff Gary Tedford filed suit on Sept. 1 in Madison County Circuit Court against Ace Ventures-Collinsville LLC, doing business as Ace Storage, citing breach of contract, the Self-Storage Facility Act, the Consumer Fraud Act, the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practice Act and conversion.

According to the complaint, Tedford began storing his personal belongings at Ace Storage on Aug. 23, 2014, with the understanding that he would receive a late payment notice if his payment were 10 days overdue. He alleges Ace Storage not only failed to send the 10-day reminder, but, they also neglected to advertise a public auction of Tedford’s belongings. Instead, Ace Storage allegedly distributed the plaintiff’s stored items to its employees and has refused to return them to the plaintiff.

Attorney Randall P. Steele of Steele Law Offices LLC in Glen Carbon is representing Tedford, who seeks compensation of more than $50,000 plus costs of the suit.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1131.

A man is suing a certain Edwardsville dram shop after being injured in an accident on its premises, claiming negligence.

Christopher Anderson filed a complaint Sept. 4 in Madison County Circuit Court against Our Place LLC, alleging dram shop liability.

On Sept. 21, 2014, the complaint states, Our Place in Edwardsville sold Timothy Gillespie alcoholic beverages that caused him to become visibly intoxicated.

When he got into his vehicle in the Our Place parking lot, Anderson stood next to the vehicle and tried to discourage him from driving while intoxicated. At this time, the complaint states, Gillespie backed up his vehicle, causing the interior of the driver's side door to strike Anderson and knock him to the ground. Gillespie's vehicle then ran over the right side of Anderson's body, backed into another vehicle and fled the scene.

The complaint states Our Place's conduct was negligent and showed a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

Anderson seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs of the suit. He is represented by John L. Wilbers of the Wilbers Law Firm LLC in Clayton, Mo.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1149

An Alton man is suing after allegedly sustaining injuries in a vehicle collision.

Enoch R. Smith filed a complaint Aug. 31 in Madison County Circuit Court against Diane L. Adler, alleging negligence.

On May 31, 2014, the complaint states, Smith was driving his vehicle on West Ninth Street near the intersection with Bluff in Madison County, when Adler's vehicle collided with his.

The complaint states Adler was negligent in failing to keep proper lookout, failing to slow or stop her vehicle to avoid collision, failing to ensure no oncoming traffic existed before proceeding into the intersection, and other negligent acts or omissions.

As a result of the collision, Smith sustained serious injuries, medical expenses, and has lost wages, the complaint states.

Smith seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus court costs. He is represented by Edward W. Unsell and Fred Patrick Schuman of East Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1119

An Alton woman is suing two Madison County women following a vehicle collision the three were involved in.

Gloria Teague filed a complaint on Aug. 31 in Madison County Circuit Court against Suzanne Crancer and Theresa Harrison, alleging negligence.

According to the complaint, on March 3, Teague was a passenger in Harrison's 2006 Buick Lucerne CX traveling southbound on Henry Street at its intersection with U.S. 67 (Landmarks Boulevard) in Alton. Crancer, driving her 2014 Ford Escape eastbound on U.S. 67 at the same intersection, allegedly ran a red light and collided with the passenger side of Harrison's vehicle.

The complaint states that Crancer was negligent in failing to obey a traffic signal and failing to yield the right-of-way to Harrison, among other negligent acts or omissions.

The complaint further states that Harrison was negligent in failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision and failing to keep a proper lookout, among other negligent acts or omissions.

As a result of the collision, Teague claims she sustained injuries to her arm, shoulder, hip, knee and spine, has suffered loss of a normal life, and has incurred medical expenses.

Teague seeks a judgment of more than $50,000 against each defendant, plus costs of the suit. She is represented by Michael P. Glisson and Timothy J. Chartrand of Williamson, Webster, Falb & Glisson in Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1118

A couple is suing a man in a dispute surrounding an auto accident.

Plaintiffs Gerald D. Main Sr. and Annabelle Gibson filed suit Sept. 10 in Madison County’s Third Judicial Circuit Court against defendant Kevin T. Worthy, alleging negligence related to the accident.

According to the complaint, at 1:08 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2013, the defendant is alleged to have turned south on Ninth Street in East Alton, where he struck Main’s car. The claim states that Worthy failed to reduce his vehicle’s speed and did not exercise proper caution in looking out for the plaintiffs. Main suffered injuries to his neck, chest, abdomen, lower back and both knees. Gibson, a passenger in Main’s car, suffered injuries to her chest, neck, back, thumb, hip and right knee.

The suit seeks reimbursement for current and future medical expenses related to the accident.

Attorney Bob L. Perica of the Perica Law Firm P.C. in Madison County is representing the plaintiffs, who are seeking damages of more than $50,000.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1169.

A Granite City bar patron filed a Dram Shop suit over injuries he allegedly sustained in an assault at the establishment.

Dustin Cook filed a complaint on Sept. 8 in Madison County Circuit Court against Daniel Wolfe and Nick's Bar & Grill, alleging assault, negligence and violations of the Dram Shop provision.

According to the complaint, on Feb. 22 on the premises of Nick's Bar & Grill in Granite City, Wolfe violently assaulted Cook, hitting him with his fists and stabbing him, causing multiple injuries to Cook's head, neck and body.

The suit says Nick's Bar & Grill was negligent in failing to provide adequate security, failing to provide assistance to Cook when he was being attacked, for permitting Wolfe on the premises and selling Wolfe alcoholic beverages when it should have known he had violent tendencies.

The lawsuit states Wolfe had attacked a separate patron with a stun gun on the premises the day before the incident with Cook.

Cook seeks a judgment against each defendant of more than $50,000, plus costs of the suit. He is represented by Randall P. Steele of Steele Law Offices LLC in Glen Carbon.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1159

A Madison County woman is suing a bar patron and the bar that served him liquor in an alleged drunk driving accident.

Jamey Camerer filed a lawsuit Aug. 31 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Adam Cobb, Alton Sports TAP, Alton Sports Tap Inc. RW Eveans and Donstar Inc.

According to the complaint, on June 6, there was a traffic accident between Camerer’s Toyota Prius and Cobb’s GMC Denali at the intersection of state Route 140 and Crest Drive in Alton when Cobb ran a stop sign. The suit says after colliding with Camerer’s vehicle, Cobb fled the scene and was intoxicated.

Due to the accident, the lawsuit states, the plaintiff suffered physical injuries to her neck, back, shoulders and other areas, in addition to lost wages, mental anguish and medical costs.

The suit alleges negligence on the part of Alton Sports TAP and the other defendants, saying they served Cobb liquor before the accident.

Camerer seeks more than $50,000 in damages and litigation costs. She is represented by attorneys Michael P. Glisson and Timothy J. Chartrand of Williamson, Webster, Falb & Glisson of Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court number number 2015-L-1117.

Illinois paid $57 million in late fees on its bills last year.

State Comptroller Leslie Munger dropped that statistical bomb on Sept. 23, in a press conference at Holiday Inn and Suites in Edwardsville.

The backlog of state bills reached $5.5 billion in August, she said, and that it would end the year at $8.5 billion.

“We are doing everything in our power to keep our state afloat,” Munger said. “Cash flow is getting tighter every day.”

Munger stopped at the hotel on a tour imploring the General Assembly to sit with Gov. Bruce Rauner and adopt a budget.

“The longer this drags on, the more dire the situation becomes,” she said. “Right now we have money coming in and it goes right out.”

She said her budget hotline takes 5,000 calls a week.

“They are confused and frustrated,” she said. “They wonder when they will be paid.

“In cases of extreme need, we try to get them something if we can’t get them everything.”

Munger said she pays for services to the vulnerable.

She said she cut her budget 10 percent, and other agencies could do the same.

“It’s not hard if you go and look for it,” she said.

“There is a lot of fat in those budgets and anyone who says otherwise hasn’t tried.”

A reporter asked about job losses and she said, “We didn’t lay off one person.”

She said she gave employees greater responsibilities and they learned new skills.

Another question focused on reinstating the temporary five percent income tax rate, now back down to three, and Munger said it would be nice if it was that simple.

“Our challenges are much greater than that,” she said.

“The temporary tax brought in $34 billion. It was passed to get out of this backlog we are looking at.”

The five percent drove businesses and jobs out of Illinois, and the number of taxpayers decreased last year, she said.

Munger recommended economic growth through tort reform and lower property taxes.

“A balanced budget is the first step,” she said.

In the long term, Illinois must reduce its debt, she said,

She said the state pays $2 billion a year in interest.

“We need to come up with a long term tax cut plan and stick with it,” she said. “It might be misleading that things are going on as normal, that nothing is shutting down.

“Things will begin shutting down if we don’t get some of these things in place.”

Most ominously, she said she was looking at splitting the next pension payment.

She said pensions are 20 percent of the budget.

A reporter asked if the state would declare bankruptcy in the event that it couldn’t meet pension obligations, and she said the state cannot declare bankruptcy.

If the state can’t meet pension obligations, she said, “We have assets to sell.”

Munger said selling assets would diminish the pension funds and put future benefits at risk.

A Madison County couple is suing a Hardin driver, alleging negligence in a car crash.

James and Tamara Boore of Jacob filed a lawsuit Sept. 2 in Madison County Circuit Court against Cassandra Medling of Hardin and Federico Chrysler.

According to the complaint on Nov. 6, 2014, a car driven by Medling struck James Boore’s car near the intersection of state Routes 3 and 143 in Wood River. The suit says Medling was driving under the influence at the time of the accident.

Medling had rented the car from the co-defendant, Federico Chrysler, the lawsuit states, which leased the car to someone under the influence of illicit drugs. The suit alleges Federico Chrysler failed to properly investigate Medling’s background and should not have leased the car to her.

The Boores seek a jury trial, and compensation for current and future medical care and treatment, financial loss, mental anguish, and pain and suffering. They are represented by attorneys Ted N. Gianaris and G. Michael Stewart of Simmons Hanly Conroy in Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 2015-L-1135.

SPRINGFIELD — Thursday marked another day of activity but little visible movement in the state Capitol.

The House Revenue and Finance committee began hearing testimony on a call from the city of Chicago for an increase in the general homestead property tax exemption, or amount the state subtracts from homeowner’s assessed valuation as a form of tax break.

The current general exemptions are $7,000 for Cook County and $6,000 for downstate Illinois.

In a budget address earlier this week, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called for a city property tax increase of more than $540 million, largely to bolster the health of Chicago police and firefighter pension funds.

As part of that plan, the mayor’s administration proposes increasing the general homestead exemption in Cook County to somewhere likely between $12,000 and $15,000, Deputy Mayor Steve Koch told representatives.

Koch said the city administration was still looking for the exact number that would work with the mayor’s proposal for a progressive tax increase to be phased in over four years. He said he did not think it would hit the high end of that range.

The point of the exemption, Koch said, would be to offset enough of the tax increase to hold harmless or not increase the tax liability for owners of homes with market values of $250,000 or less.

The intent, he said, is to “protect those Chicagoans who can least afford the additional burden.”

The proposal was met with some opposition.

Business groups argued the mayor’s proposals shifts too much burden to already heavily taxed and regulated commercial and industrial sectors.

Michael Reever of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce said commercial property taxes are already two and a half times greater than residential property taxes.

"Businesses already are paying more than their fair share," he said.

Further, Reever said, the proposal comes on top of other tax, fee and cost impositions such as an increased minimum wage in Cook County, a county sales tax increase, a plastic bag ban in the city and a cloud-computing tax.

An increased exemption is a laudable concept, he said, but the idea that employers can make up the difference is off the mark, Reever said.

Rob Karr of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association agreed.

“While some talk about the city having lower (property tax) rates, that’s great, but in terms of actual dollars are out of their pockets, the city takes the cake and it’s having a real impact,” Carr said.

Carol Portman of the Taxpayers Federation of Illinois also testified, telling committee members that the city’s residential property tax is, if not the lowest in Illinois, among the lowest.

The mayor’s proposal is still being put into legislation, so there was no vote Thursday. A change in the homestead exemption would require legislative approval.

Panel OKs funding bill

In a separate matter, the House Executive Committee sent to the full House a bill to fund human service providers, let road money flow through to local governments and pay Illinois Lottery winners.

Democratic proponents say the appropriations measure would authorize spending $1.8 billion from general revenue funds for human services. Additionally, it would allow $2 billion from other state funding sources, including motor fuel taxes.

The bill has already cleared the Senate on a partisan vote of 36-19.

Republicans have opposed the measure, saying Democrats are practicing piecemeal budgeting and knowingly proposing more spending than the state can afford.

Standoff continues

Barring a special call from the governor or one of the presiding legislative officers, the House and Senate won’t convene again in September.

The Senate is next scheduled to meet Oct. 6 and the House on Oct. 20.

Illinois is finishing its third month of fiscal year 2016 without a budget in place as first-term Republican governor Bruce Rauner and legislative Democrats remain at loggerheads.

The governor complains the Democrats have sent him a plan billions heavier in spending than estimated revenue. And Rauner says he won’t sign off on more revenue until he gets what he considers fundamental reforms.

Democrats complain Rauner and the GOP have been unwilling to work with them until the governor gets movement on his agenda items, which the Democrats do not consider directly related to the annual budget.

Rauner answers that his proposals are necessary to improve the state's economy.

Mark Fitton is a reporter for the Illinois News Network, a division of the Illinois Policy Institute.

A man is suing an O'Fallon apartment complex following an accident that allegedly occurred on its premises.

John E. Howell III filed a complaint on Sept. 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Green Mount Lakes Apartments, alleging negligence.

The complaint states that Howell, a tenant of Green Mount Lakes Apartments, was walking down a flight of steps in a common area of the apartment complex on July 22 when a step broke and caused him to fall.

The suit states the defendant was negligent in failing to inspect the condition of the step, failing to repair or replace the deteriorated step and failing to warn of the deteriorated step.

As a result, Howell claims he sustained injuries to various parts of his body, for which he has incurred medical expenses.

Howell seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs of the suit. He is represented by Belleville-based attorney Brad L. Badgley.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-494

A man is suing a supermarket after he allegedly slipped and fell on a puddle of water.

Terrance Higgins filed a complaint on Sept. 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Gateway 1 Inc., doing business as Gateway Supermarket, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Higgins claims he was walking through Gateway Supermarket in East St. Louis on June 27 when he suddenly slipped and fell to the ground, where he was unable to get up and remained lying in accumulated water from a leaking storage freezer.

The complaint states the defendant was negligent in failing to maintain a safe premises, allowing substances to accumulate upon stair treads frequently traveled upon by patrons, and failing to warn of the hazardous condition, among other negligent acts or omissions.

As a result of the accident, Higgins claims he sustained injuries, including a compression fracture to his cervical spine and sprains and strains to his back and neck, for which he has incurred medical expenses.

Higgins seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs of the suit.

He is represented by Brian Stokes of The Stokes Law Office in St. Louis, Mo.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-499

The estate of a five-year-old girl is suing an insurance company for alleged financial mismanagement.

The estate of Makayla Calhoun filed suit on Aug. 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Regions Financial Corp., Jason Stepzinski and Prudential Insurance Co. of America, citing breach of fiduciary duty and violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Calhoun is the beneficiary of an annuity with Prudential that deposits funds to an account in her name at Regions Financial. According to the suit, Regions Financial and Prudential allowed numerous unauthorized withdrawals of these funds in contradiction of a court order restricting access to the money until Calhoun turns 18. The suit states that these withdrawals violate the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Attorney Eugene C. Menges of the Menges Law Offices in Belleville is representing the plaintiff, who is seeking actual and punitive damages, litigation costs, penalties, and attorney’s fees, totaling more than $50,000.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-484.

A construction company is suing a church for breach of contract, as well as a former sales representative, for allegedly violating an employment agreement in a dispute surrounding repairs for a storm-damaged roof.

Ryan Construction Co. filed suit on Aug. 5 in Madison County Circuit Court against Scott Underwood, Wayman African Methodist Church in Bloomington, the Rev. Charles Orr, River City Roofing Co. Inc. and Church Mutual Insurance Co.

According to the complaint, Ryan Construction and its employee Scott Underwood negotiated an insurance claim to repair Wayman African Methodist’s roof for $343,569.24 in September 2014. For reasons not stated in the suit, Underwood was subsequently terminated.

The claim states that Underwood, now working for competitor River City Roofing, approached Orr, reverand of African Methodist, to complete the repairs for less money than originally agreed to by Church Mutual so the difference could be allegedly retained by the church. As a result, Orr cancelled the original contract between the church and Ryan Construction, the suit states.

Attorney David A. Schott of the Alton firm Hoagland, Fitzgerald & Pranaitis is representing Ryan Construction in the lawsuit, which seeks damages of more than $50,000 and an injunction preventing Underwood from sharing proprietary information or approaching former clients.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-988.