Supplements

current ISSUE

appeal Denied: illinois supreme court denies motion to reconsider appeal

Attorneys for the Diocese of Belleville handed attorney Michael Weilmuenster two checks totaling $6.32 million after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled against the diocese when diocesan attorneys asked the court to reconsider its decision denying an appeal of a lawsuit brought by James Wisniewski.

The checks were handed over Aug. 10 at the St. Clair County Courthouse in Belleville after the Illinois Supreme Court denied the diocese the opportunity to appeal the Fifth District Appellate Court’s decision, dated July 28.

Weilmuenster is the attorney for Wisniewski.

The diocese issued the following statement: “The Catholic Diocese of Belleville acknowledges that the Illinois Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of the case of James Wisniewski v. The Catholic Diocese of Belleville.
“The Diocese continues to express regret for any instances of childhood sexual abuse by a member of its clergy.
“The Diocese is committed to adhering to its Child Protection Policy, and will continue to assist victims and their families in furtherance of that policy and its ministry.”