Illinois Small Claims Court

Old faces making appearance in new Kane court places

The faces are familiar to the Kane County courts, but some of their locations have changed.

Earlier this month, 16th Circuit Chief Keith Brown announced the assignments for judges in Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties. Due to an illness and some new judges, a few judges have been moved to new courtrooms.

Judge Dave Kliment, former Kane County public defender, has been assigned to the Elgin Branch Court. Judge John McAdams, a former Kendall County defense attorney, has been assigned to the Aurora Branch Court. The branch courts serve mostly as a place to handle traffic, misdemeanor and ordinance violation cases that originate in those larger towns. Both courts are in the respective police stations.

Kliment became a judge in December and McAdams in February. The newest judges are generally assigned to branch court.

Joseph Grady will preside in the new Kane County branch court to hear misdemeanor and drunken driving cases. Grady’s courtroom is in the Kane County circuit clerk’s building on Randall Road.

Most of the felony judges in Kane County will remain. Allen Anderson, Karen Simpson and Tim Sheldon will hear felony trials. James Hallock will conduct pre-arraignment and bond call Monday through Friday.

Patricia Piper Golden will administer drug court while Linda Abrahamson will handle domestic violence cases. Bruce Lester and Marmarie Kostelny will handle felony and misdemeanor cases, with a focus on drunken driving.

While Judge T. Jordan Gallagher is receiving treatment for a cancer diagnosis, Judge Ed Schreiber will take over Gallagher’s cases. Schreiber was hearing divorce and civil order of protection cases in Kane County. According to Brown, starting next week, Schreiber will hear felony cases on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He will continue to hear order of protection cases on Thursdays. Schreiber’s divorce cases will be reassigned.

Among the civil judges, Thomas Stanfa will handle most small claims cases. Thomas Mueller will handle mainly eminent domain, tax and municipal cases. Mark Pheanis is assigned to foreclosure court.

In Kendall County, the judges remain Robert Morrow, Clint Hull and three former state’s attorneys: John Barsanti, Tim McCann and Ron Matekaitis.

A bill that passed both the Illinois House and Senate would put Kane County in its own judicial circuit and move Kendall and DeKalb counties to another circuit. Senate Bill 63 was approved unanimously in the House and Senate last month and is awaiting the governor’s signature. Kane County would be in the 16th Judicial Circuit and DeKalb and Kendall counties in the 23rd.

Taking Ex-Roommate to Court for Owing Me Money

I gave my roommate rent money ($1,100) upfront for 2 months of rent. She was verbally assaulting me, demeaning me, and causing me so much stress that I had to leave the place early. I left after 7 weeks and did not stay the full 8 weeks that I paid for because she basically left me no choice but to leave. I wanted a weeks portion of my rent money back ($137) because she drove me out of there prematurely. She refused to give me anything at all. Furthermore, I recently chipped in $75 for groceries on 6/19 and I did not get to eat any of that food. I wanted that money back on top of my rent money but she would not give me anything. She would not even allow me to take any of the food with me that I paid for. In total I figure she owes me $212. I want to take her to small claims court, but I don't know if I even have a case for this situation. First of all, we never signed any contracts or leases; it was purely a verbal agreement. Second, I never got any type of receipt from her for my rent payment (I paid in cash). The only record that exists is the date I moved out (6/21) because I had to call the police on her because she was physically threatening me; so it was documented by the police that I asked her for my money and that I moved out on that day. Please help and I will gladly answer any questions. Not getting along with a roommate is generally not going to provide you with a basis to leave early and get rent back. We don't know how bad things were, and we have no access to the police report; you're can try to convince a court that her actions rose to the level of a constructive eviction, but we are not in a position to assess your chance of success.

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