Scott R.M. Ealy, Attorney at Law

05/21/2026

— BREAKING — — The Illinois Appellate Court at Mt. Vernon has upheld the July 2024 order of Judge Allan Lolie granting judgment in favor of the City of Effingham for a foreclosure sale of the Village Square Mall.

A link to the Appellate Court’s 16-page decision is attached at the bottom of this post.

Redevelopment of the mall by Square Southtown, an Effingham-based development group, had been put on hold by the long-pending appeal by Durga Property Holdings of Cincinnati, Ohio, of the local court’s 2024 order. Durga now has 30-days to appeal the Appellate Court's ruling or it and the court's original ruling become (finally) final.

https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/3076eb9b-34f3-4ca2-a54b-da2c73b1db89/City%20of%20Effingham%20IL%20v.%20Durga%20Property%20Holdings,%20Inc.%202026%20IL%20App%20(5th)%20241175-U.pdf

04/21/2026

- BREAKING — :

The Southern Poverty Law Center says it’s the subject of a Justice Department criminal investigation and faces possible charges over its use of paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups.

04/10/2026

— Circuit Judge Tracy W. Resch of Marshall will be stepping down in December, following 36-years of judicial service: https://www.thexradio.com/news/local-news/35054-tracy-resch-to-not-seek-re-election-as-circuit-judge-at-end-of-term/

04/09/2026

The Effingham Public Library provides a variety of services and resources to the community. Apply for your Library card today!

04/02/2026

03/14/2026

— In great appreciation of the life lived by the Rev. John Perkins:

“He will always be remembered as one who tried to get the races to come together,” said Constance Slaughter-Harvey. https://ow.ly/Vv3w50Ytt2M

02/12/2026

Signs of an "ism" in the legal profession: easily annoyed; rushed, mistake-prone behavior; habitually leaving early.

02/10/2026

— Local State Senator Steve McClure Continues Work to Protect School-Aged Victims of Sexual Assault:

An Illinois state senator is renewing a push to change state law to require the immediate expulsion of students found responsible for sexual assault, arguing current policies leave victims unprotected

01/09/2026

The Illinois Supreme Court as of Jan. 1 revised its policy that allows news media to bring cameras and microphones into the state's courtrooms. One big change: Reporters in every county can now request access. Previously, about 60 percent of Illinois counties permitted the requests. Read more: https://www.inba.net/2026/01/08/cameras-in-courtrooms-now-an-option-in-all-illinois-counties/

01/06/2026

— 2026 Illinois Employment Law Update from the National Law Review:

The Illinois State Legislature wrapped up another busy year enacting and amending a wide range of employment laws. This alert provides an overview of what Illinois employers need to know about key legal developments that may affect their compliance obligations, including new leave entitlements and p...

11/27/2025

— On this day, we are thankful for all of you who say "NO!" to the shameful and ongoing white-washing of our nation's history. Good and bad must both be told. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Isaac Woodard Jr. (March 18, 1919 – September 23, 1992) was an American soldier and victim of racial violence. An African-American World War II veteran, on February 12, 1946, hours after being honorably discharged from the United States Army, he was attacked while still in uniform by South Carolin...