Most people know that distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are dangerous, often leading to car accidents. Each of those behaviors poses specific risks, and most people try to avoid them. But did you know that drowsiness and fatigue can also cause collisions that produce injuries and fatalities?
If you were injured in a collision with a drowsy driver, you may be able to get a settlement through a personal injury claim. Working with a local attorney from Newland & Newland, LLP can give you a better chance of reaching a favorable outcome.
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September 2024
Arlington Heights School Nurse Faces Felony Charges
An Arlington Heights, IL school nurse is facing six felony charges and seven misdemeanor charges. The allegations are that the nurse misused prescription drugs belonging to a student, triggering one count of official misconduct, five counts of forgery, and seven counts of endangering the life or health of a child.
The details remain sketchy right now, and it is easy to jump to conclusions when an individual has been charged with any type of harm to a child. Unfortunately, it is all too common for those charged with such crimes to be found guilty in the court of public opinion…
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Megan Stumph-Turner to Serve as Panelist at ALFA Business Litigation Seminar
On September 13, Baker Sterchi Member Megan Stumph-Turner will serve as a panelist at the ALFA International (ALFA) Business Litigation Practice Group Seminar in Park City, Utah. The session, “I Am Not a Robot: The Ethical Use of AI in Litigation” will discuss the rise of AI applications for use in business litigation, and how to use those programs in conformity with a lawyer’s responsibilities under the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Stumph-Turner is based in Baker Sterchi’s Kansas City office, where she focuses on civil litigation in areas such as creditors’ rights, financial services, real estate, construction and commercial litigation.
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Three Things to Know About Grey Divorce in Illinois
As the population ages, the “grey divorce” phenomenon is becoming increasingly common. This term refers to the growing trend of older adults (typically those over 50) seeking divorce after long-term marriages. In Illinois, navigating a gray divorce presents unique challenges and considerations. If you are thinking about pursuing a grey divorce, you need to strongly consider hiring a qualified lawyer. Here are three important things to know about grey divorce.
Division of Assets and Financial Considerations
One of the most significant aspects of Illinois divorce, especially grey divorce, is the division of assets accumulated over the…
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Three Ways Tailgating Can Lead to Car Accidents
Following too closely, commonly referred to as “tailgating,” is more than just an annoying driving habit; it is a dangerous behavior that can lead to serious car accidents. The feeling of impatience seems to dominate the roads, especially during rush hour or in crowded parking lots. If you have found yourself injured in an accident caused by someone tailgating you, you are not alone. Understanding how tailgating contributes to accidents can empower you to take legal action after suffering an injury. Contact a lawyer if you have been injured as a result of tailgating.
Here is Why Tailgating…
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D.C.’s Byzantine, Quasi-Federal Probate System Is Making It Harder for Families to Hold on to Their Homes
The Jones family has owned the house at 703 Emerson Street NE in Washington, D.C. since the 1950s. Elsie Andrews, who grew up in the house, inherited it from her parents, William and Sarah Jones, after they passed away in…
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Chicago, IL – Two Injured in Motorcycle Crash on E Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL (September 8, 2024) – A former Springfield Police sergeant was cited in a crash with a motorcycle that seriously injured two people by Lake Springfield around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, according to an update from officers provided on Saturday.
According to a release from the Illinois State Police (ISP), Michael Egan, 50, who had just retired from the police department, was ticketed for failure to yield the right of way. Deputy Chief Sara Pickford of Springfield Police said the on-duty lieutenant at the time, Lt. Grant Barksdale, contacted state police to conduct the traffic crash and…
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Springfield, IL – Jake Woods Identified in Fatal Car Crash on S MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, IL (September 8, 2024) – The man killed in a car crash in the 2500 block of South MacArthur Boulevard on Wednesday was identified on Saturday, September 7, according to Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon.
Jake L. Woods, 57, of Springfield, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. An autopsy report carried out by the coroner’s office found Woods died from multiple blunt force injuries from the crash. Details of the incident are still limited, however, as the death remains under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner and the Springfield Police Department.
In the meantime, the total…
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How to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in Elgin
Car accidents are hectic enough without having to worry about paperwork. However, one of the most important pieces of paperwork in a car accident case is the police report. This report might contain important details, information, and evidence uncovered by the authorities in their investigation of the crash. Even if the information is minimal, the report may be useful in other ways.
Getting a copy of a police report is not always easy. We must determine which police department investigated your accident and is responsible for the report. We must also determine whether we can obtain the report online, in…
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Chicago, IL – Woman Hurt in Crash at N Laramie & W Wellington Aves
Chicago, IL (September 7, 2024) – Per authorities, an investigation is underway on Friday afternoon, September 6, after a hit-and-run crash sent a car into the front room of a garden unit at an apartment building on the city’s Northwest Side.
According to Chicago police, the crash unfolded just before 1:00 p.m. in Belmont Cragin, in the 3000 block of North Laramie Avenue. Officers said an unknown driver in an SUV heading westbound along West Wellington Avenue was involved in a crash with a 52-year-old woman in a black Honda driving southbound along Laramie.
The crash caused the Honda driver…
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Structuring Tax-Efficient Trust Decantings After ‘the Guidance’
The article discusses the impact of IRS Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum 202352018 (CCA) on the practice of trust decanting in estate planning. Trust decanting involves transferring assets from one trust to another, but the CCA has caused concern among practitioners…
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Lake Co, IL – Woman Killed in Bicycle Accident on Dilleys Rd
Lake County, IL (September 7, 2024) – According to Lake County authorities, a bicyclist was killed Friday night, September 6, after a collision in Wadsworth, Illinois.
Per the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived at the scene on Dilleys Road just south of Wadsworth Road for a report of a person down just before midnight. Upon arrival, they found a woman dead in the roadway. The age of the victim was not released.
The victim suffered trauma that was consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Preliminary investigation by the sheriff’s crash investigators believe the woman was riding a…
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The ‘Madison Crusader’ Funnels Passion for Advocacy into Roosevelt University Legal Clinic
A 10-year passion project recently came to fruition for Chicago attorney Jim Fine, when the Roosevelt University Legal Clinic (RULC) officially launched this summer.
RULC, which is being led by Fine, will begin by providing pro bono and low-cost basic legal services to Roosevelt’s students, faculty, and staff, and hopes to expand into the larger Chicago community.
The clinic will be staffed by paralegal student interns from Roosevelt’s Paralegal Studies Program who will gain real-world legal experience under the supervision of Director Fine and volunteer attorneys.
The ‘Madison Crusader’

Fine said
New Grant Aims to Improve Accessibility in Illinois Courts for People With Disabilities

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) have announced a new grant initiative to support local courts in improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
The Disability Accessibility Improvement Grant will help Illinois courts bridge budget gaps to address barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully accessing court services, with the goal of creating respectful and courteous court environments for all.
Grant funds can be used to support or expand existing projects or to create new initiatives. Some examples in the
Peoria, IL – Three Hospitalized After Crash on Knoxville Ave
Peoria, IL (September 6, 2024) – Three people were transported to an area hospital for treatment after a two-vehicle collision occurred in the North Peoria area on Tuesday, September 3.
According to the Peoria Fire Department, the victims were taken by Advanced Medical Transporter after the collision, which occurred at about 10:50 a.m. in the 5500 block of North Knoxville Avenue, near the Carle Health-Proctor Hospital. Per Battalion Chief Larry Carter, arriving firefighters found a two-vehicle crash. One vehicle had rolled over, and the other was on its side.
All three occupants were initially entrapped, but one of the drivers…
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Dorsey, IL – Man Identified in Deadly Truck Crash on Rte 159
Dorsey, IL (September 6, 2024) – The Madison County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim who died in a truck accident on Tuesday afternoon, September 3.
According to a release, 67-year-old James H. Roberts was driving a semi truck hauling rocks on southbound Illinois Route 159 near North Deer Park Drive around 3:30 p.m. Another truck that was hauling rocks northbound traveled across the center line and struck Roberts. Authorities state the truck traveling northbound crossed the center line to avoid hitting a fuel tanker that was stopped in the northbound lane to make a left turn. That driver was…
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