Southern Illinois

Effingham attorney Frank H. Schiederjon passed away over the weekend. A former State’s Attorney of Effingham County, he founded the law firm now known as Schniederjon, Weber & Orr. Click here to read the full obituary.

Central Illinois

• Retrial begins for man accused of beating toddler, Springfield State Journal-Register

Chicago area

• Judge sets strict rules for courthouse knife defendant, Chicago Tribune
• McHenry Co. judge dismisses sex charges citing delay in prosecution, Daily Herald

Southern Illinois

• So. Illinois man gets 20 years for ill-fated plot to kill uncle, Belleville News-Democrat

Nation

• 13 attorneys general sue over health care overhaul, Bloomington Pantagraph
• Supreme Court rules for student seeking discharge of student loan debt, ABA Journal

This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.

Chicago area

• Parking ticket target sues police officers, city, Chicago Tribune

Northern Illinois

• Missing stop sign at crash site costs Winnebago County $500,000, Rockford Register Star

Southern Illinois

• Attorney doesn't have to show how he spent people's estate money, Belleville News-Democrat
• Charges mount against southern Illinois sheriff, St. Louis Post-Distpach
  

This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.

[caption id="attachment_9024" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Major Sarah Smith presents a flag that flew in Afghanistan to Madison County Bar Association President Elizabeth Levy in appreciation of the support she received during her deployment. "][/caption] Major Sarah D. Smith presented a flag that was flown in Kabul, Afghanistan in honor of the lawyers of the Madison County Bar Association to President Elizabeth Levy at the February meeting of the MCBA. The flag was flown over the Camp Phoenix Compound on Law Day (May 1) 2009 in appreciation for all the e-mails, care packages and support Major Smith received from the members of the Madison County Bar Association during her deployment both in Kosovo and in Afghanistan. The certificate accompanying the flag was signed by the Commanding General, General Steven Huber, and by the Command Sergeant Major of the 33rd Infantry Combat Team, Sergeant Major Mark Bowman. Major Sarah Smith was awarded the Bronze Star for her recent service. She was initially deployed to Kosovo for 12 months. Following two months back home, she was then deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, where she was the Chief of Operational Law for a task force of 7,500 soldiers. Major Smith provided guidance and advised the soldiers on the Rules of Engagement and the Law of Armed Combat.