Surety Bonds And How To Avoid Them? When a person dies, and the estate must be managed, one of the aspects of administration and responsibilities of the executor is the obtainment of what’s known as a Surety Bond. A Surety Read More….
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ITT at 33: Granting Summary Judgment in Missouri is Still Not “Extreme or Drastic”
The Case
Wilkinson v. Farmers Holding Companies involved a dispute under a Missouri statute about an employee’s post-termination rights to a “service letter” stating the nature and duration of his service. The Circuit Court granted summary judgment for the company based on the company’s argument that it was not the actual employer. The Supreme Court’s decision addressed only the procedural law regarding summary judgment and plaintiff’s failure to abide by the procedures of Rule 74.04 in responding to summary judgment.
In particular, the Court noted that although the Plaintiff’s “point relied on” argued that summary judgment is an extreme and
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Q&A with Uber® Assault Attorney Ellyn Hurd
For millions of Americans, rideshare apps like Uber® and Lyft® have become a convenient way to get around. But behind the convenience, serious safety concerns have emerged.
In recent years, reports of sexual assault by rideshare drivers across the country have come to light and only continued to climb, raising questions about whether or not companies are doing enough to protect passengers.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Uber and consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) to address the issue of rideshare safety and seek justice for survivors.
We spoke with Firm Partner Ellyn Hurd, an Uber assault
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Antonio DeBlasio Selected for Super Lawyers 2026
DeBlasio Law Group is proud to announce that for 2026, attorney Antonio DeBlasio has again been selected for inclusion on the list of Illinois Super Lawyers®. Super Lawyers is a ratings service that recognizes outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. No more than 5% of Illinois attorneys receive this distinction. This is the 14th year that Mr. DeBlasio has been designated a Super Lawyer, in 2008 and each year from 2014 to 2026.
Mr. DeBlasio has over 31 years of experience representing businesses, individuals and estates in Illinois in contested
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Building the Record: How Depositions Shape Summary Judgment Orders
Using Deposition Testimony to Secure Summary Judgment
In asbestos products liability matters, motions for summary judgment are a standard part of case workup. Although summary judgment is an extreme measure that’s rarely granted, a recent Cook County case (Paul Enright, Special Administrator of the Estate of Susan Enright v. A.O. Smith Corp., et al.) demonstrates it is possible.
Summary judgment motions focus on case-specific facts and often rely on deposition testimony from the plaintiff and fact witnesses. In its Motion for Summary Judgment, the defense in Enright argued that plaintiff had not met her evidentiary burden and thus the case
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Illinois “Millionaire Surtax” Draws Opposition from Business Groups as Amendment Advances
A proposed Illinois constitutional amendment that would impose a 3% surtax on income over $1 million is no longer just an introduction. It is now moving through the House.
As of yesterday (April 21, 2026), the resolution passed out of the House Revenue & Finance Committee (13–7) and has been read a second time, where it now sits on the House calendar for short debate. A hearing is also scheduled, signaling that leadership is at least willing to keep the proposal in play.
Substantively, the measure remains straightforward. It would amend the Illinois Constitution to impose an additional 3% tax
How Do Prior Convictions Impact New DUI Charges in Illinois?
If you have a prior DUI conviction and you are facing a new DUI charge in Illinois, your record will directly affect how serious the new charge is and what penalties you are looking at. Illinois law treats repeat DUI offenders significantly more harshly than first-time offenders. However, that does not mean that you can’t fight the charge against you, and Appelman Law LLC can help. If you are in this situation in 2026, our Naperville, IL DUI defense lawyer can walk you through exactly what you are facing and what can be done.
How Does Illinois Count Prior DUI
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Not My Customer, Not My Problem? Assessing Whether a Duty May be Owed to a Non-Customer Under Martin v. Fifth Third Bank
Case Background
Marsha J. Martin filed an amended complaint[1] alleging that she received an e-mail that appeared to be from Coastal Customs Builders requesting payment for construction services provided to her. Martin further alleged that, unbeknownst to her at the time, Coastal Customs’ e-mail had been hacked. Martin ultimately wire transferred funds to the hacker’s account at Fifth Third Bank. The hacker then withdrew the funds and transferred them elsewhere. According to Martin, Fifth Third Bank was unable to recover the funds that were wired.
Under a theory of negligence, Martin alleged that Fifth Third Bank knew the hacker
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I’m Buying My First Home. Is Now The Right Time To Be Doing Estate Planning?
I’m Buying My First Home. Is Now The Right Time To Be Doing Estate Planning? When you are going through the process of buying your very first home, you may feel overwhelmed. You are making one of your first major Read More….
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Hoffman Estates Condominium Association and Board Members Agree to Pay $250,000 to Settle Lawsuit.
DeBlasio Law Group LLC partner, Antonio DeBlasio is pleased to announce the firm obtained a $250,000 settlement for a property owner against his Condominium Association and several of its board members.
The firm filed a lawsuit against the association and its board members for illegally enacting condominium rules and regulations without providing proper notice to the homeowners in advance, as required by the association’s declarations and Illinois law. As part of the lawsuit, the firm obtained summary judgment in favor of our client against the Condominium Association for failing to produce records of the Condominium Association in violation
What to Expect During a Mesothelioma & Asbestos Trial: Q&A with Attorney Daniel Blouin
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this process alone. Whether your case resolves in an out-of-court settlement or proceeds to trial, our attorneys can handle all of the legal legwork on your behalf.
From proving your asbestos exposure history to presenting your case before a judge and jury, we break down the asbestos trial process so families know what to expect and can feel confident every step of the way.
Attorney Daniel Blouin is a partner and lead mesothelioma trial lawyer at Simmons Hanly Conroy. With his extensive experience litigating mesothelioma cases, he
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Supreme Court Denies Certiorari in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission
On April 6, the Supreme Court denied certiorari in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission. The denial leaves in place an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision allowing the State to tax a Muscogee (Creek) Nation member who works for the Tribe on trust land but resides on unrestricted fee land within the reservation recognized in McGirt.
The question presented was ultimately not whether McGirt recognized a reservation (it did) but instead, whether that recognition carries through to state income taxation. The Oklahoma Supreme Court answered no. The Court declined review.
Arguments Presented on the Petition for Certiorari
The amicus brief filed by
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AI, Privacy, and Discovery: Think Before You Prompt
Public AI Tools and Discovery Exposure
Generative AI tools have quickly become part of daily life for businesses and individuals across Illinois and Missouri. Platforms such as ChatGPT and other large-language models often feel conversational and private, which can foster a false sense of security. Recent litigation, however, demonstrates that what users type into these tools may be stored, logged, and later produced in court. For companies operating under Illinois and Missouri discovery rules—both of which allow broad discovery of electronically stored information—this risk is particularly acute.
One of the clearest examples comes from copyright litigation brought by major publishers.
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How Should Landlords Prepare Evidence for an Illinois Eviction Hearing?
Preparing strong evidence is one of the most important things a landlord can do before an eviction hearing in Illinois. Judges move quickly in eviction court, and a landlord who shows up without the right documents can lose a case they should have won. Knowing what to bring, how to organize it, and what the court needs to see can make a real difference in how your case goes. If you are a landlord facing an eviction hearing in 2026, our DuPage County, IL landlord evictions lawyer can help protect your rights.
What Does a Landlord Need To Prove at
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Illinois Bill Targets Prediction Markets With 50% Tax and $1M License Fee (SB 4168)
Illinois lawmakers are moving to regulate, and heavily tax, prediction markets. Prediction markets are a fast-growing corner of online wagering that has largely operated outside traditional gaming frameworks.
Senate Bill 4168, introduced by State Sen. Michael Hastings on March 5, 2026, would create a new Prediction Markets Regulation and Taxation Act, requiring any platform offering prediction contracts to Illinois users to obtain a license from the Illinois Gaming Board and pay a $1 million upfront fee and $1 million annual renewal.
The bill is currently pending in Assignments and State Sen. Cristina Castro has been added as a
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April 1-7 Marks the 22nd Annual Global Asbestos Awareness Week
Every year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) dedicates the first full week of April to Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW). From April 1 to April 7, Simmons Hanly Conroy will join advocates across the world in the fight to ban asbestos.
For over 20 years, ADAO has been dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos, preventing exposure to the carcinogen, and fighting to ban all use and imports of asbestos in the United States.
Until the 1980s, asbestos was used in a wide range of industries because of its unique temperature resistance, durability, and affordability. However, employees
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