The Illinois Personal Injury Weblog of Schaeffer & Lamere P.C.

Rebuilding the 9th Ward

From the Associated Press via Yahoo! News: "9th Ward can be rebuilt, planners say," by Cain Burdeau--

The predominantly black neighborhoods known as the 9th Ward can be brought back largely as they existed before Hurricane Katrina flooded them, a survey contends.

The finding contradicts the common perception that the neighborhoods are so damaged that they need to be rebuilt from scratch, said urban planners who conducted the survey.

"The structural integrity of the buildings, even in the most devastated areas, are in much better condition than has been reported," said Kenneth Reardon, chair of Cornell University's city and regional planning department.

--Posted by Southern Illinois Fosamax lawyer and Southern Illinois Fosamax abogado T. Evan Schaeffer of the Alton Illinois Fosamax law firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

McCaskill Is Sworn In

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Democratic muscle grows in Washington," by Deirdre Shesgreenand Bill Lambrecht--

Democrats took control of Congress for the first time in 12 years Thursday, electing Nancy Pelosi as the first-ever woman House speaker and vowing a more open, civil and ethical era even as they braced for sharp clashes with the White House.

Taking her seat with the newly empowered Democratic majority was Sen. Claire McCaskill, whose slim victory in Missouri helped give the Democrats their one-seat edge in the Senate.

--Posted by Madison County Illinois work injury lawyers and Illinois work comp abogado (de accidentes de trabajo) T. Evan Schaeffer of the Madison County Illinois workers compensation law firm of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

Complaining about AmerenUE

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Ameren customers complain at hearings," by Jeffrey Tomich and Greg Jonsson--

New year. Same complaints.

Angry AmerenUE customers — many still simmering after last year's massive power outages — urged regulators Tuesday to deny a request by the state's largest utility to raise electric rates by $361 million a year.

In two public hearings, customers complained about frequent power outages, erroneous bills and trees growing into power lines near their homes. Many said the problems were compounded by poor customer service.

--Posted by Belleville Illinois car accident lawyer and Illinois car accident abogado (de accidentes de automovil) T. Evan Schaeffer of the St. Clair County Illinois car accident lawyers of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.

Death Toll: 3,000

From the Associated Press via Yahoo! News: "U.S. death toll in Iraq reaches 3,000," by Pauline Jelinek--

The day after Saddam Hussein's execution, the death toll for Americans killed in the Iraq war reached 3,000 as President Bush struggles to salvage a military campaign that has scant public support.

The death of a Texas soldier, announced Sunday by the Pentagon, comes as the administration seeks to overhaul its strategy for a conflict that shows little sign of abating. The tally of 3,000 members of the U.S. military killed was a figure compiled by The Associated Press since the war's beginning in March 2003.

--Posted by Belleville Illinois car accident lawyer and Illinois car accident abogado (de accidentes de automovil) T. Evan Schaeffer of the St. Clair County Illinois car accident lawyers of Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C.