Question of the day
Monday, Jul 27, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Center Square…
The attorney who filed a slew of lawsuits in several different counties to have judges find there aren’t public health emergencies says counties need to be careful in enforcing social distancing and mask-wearing rules because he’s ready to file even more lawsuits. […]
The day after DeVore filed the lawsuits against the governor, public health officials in Sangamon County announced increased efforts to enforce COVID-19 guidelines, including fines and license suspensions of businesses. They say there is a public health emergency.
“The Sangamon County Department of Public Health recognizes the danger to our citizens and has worked tirelessly to identify, control, and prevent the disease,” the department said in a statement. “The demographics of new positive cases have shifted drastically in recent weeks. In May, our biggest concern was our older population and congregated settings. While that concern has not disappeared, current data suggest that our focus needs to shift to our younger population in social settings.”
“Penalties for violation of [COVID-19 occupancy, social distancing and face covering requirements] include monetary fines, suspension or revocation of permit or license and potential closure of a business pursuant to existing County ordinances,” the county said. “We must take every precaution to prevent Sangamon County from reverting back to Phase 3, or worse, a second lockdown.”
While DeVore’s lawsuits are targeting the governor, he said he’ll sue local officials in Sangamon County and elsewhere if it comes to it.
“They can’t do it,” DeVore said. “These local health departments can close a business if it is a public health risk which is not because they’re not wearing a mask. If they want to try that in court, I’m ready. They can’t do these things.”
Let’s see. He’s suing the governor. He’s suing the IHSA. He’s threatening to sue counties. Hmm.
* The Question: Whom should DeVore threaten to sue next?
- Colin O'Scopy - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:30 pm:
The law school that gave him a diploma, perhaps?
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:36 pm:
Himself for malpractice.
- Bruce( no not him) - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:37 pm:
“I saw this guy walking down the street in Springfield. I’ll sue him next.” /S maybe?
- twowaystreet - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:38 pm:
Mother nature, for unleashing the virus.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:40 pm:
Go straight to the source and sue the mask companies. They can’t make you wear masks if they’re not allowed to make masks anymore.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:41 pm:
He should sue God for wanton neglect and cruelty.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:46 pm:
Walmart, Home Depot and all the stores that require a mask. Then after he is disbarred for filing frivolous law suits, he can sue the IL Bar Association.
- Keyrock - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:47 pm:
The New World Order, for releasing the COVID virus and sending the black helicopters that are following him? /s
- RNUG - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:49 pm:
Logically, the mayors who, in some cases, are overstepping their authority by imposing fines with no statutory authority to do so
- Lynn S. - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:49 pm:
I was going to suggest he sue the body parts that he obviously thinks with and talks out of, but others have much better responses.
And by “sue the body parts”, I’m talking about his own body, not anyone else’s.
I won’t name them here, because Rich runs a family-friendly blog. But I will say it isn’t his lungs, brain, or mouth.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:50 pm:
“Is the answer Jesus?”
- Ned Braden, Left Wing, Charlestown Chiefs… maybe
- RNUG - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:51 pm:
Seriously, on the one hand, some of the suits are either frivolous or a stretch. But on the other hand, his suits will, sooner or later, force the Legislature to clarify the law(s) being used, something the GA refused to do during the Spring session.
- OneMan - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
John Snow (not the GOT character) for his research into the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak and Joseph Lister…
- OneMan - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 2:56 pm:
Webster’s because if he ends up ill due to COVID-19 he will be the definition of Schadenfreude
- Skeptic - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:00 pm:
The 9 year old with a lemonade stand that wouldn’t serve him if he didn’t wear a mask.
- Pundent - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:01 pm:
=But on the other hand, his suits will, sooner or later, force the Legislature to clarify the law(s) being used, something the GA refused to do during the Spring session.=
Even if that should occur, I don’t think Devore and others like him will be deterred. And I say that because I don’t really think they’re doing this out of deep respect for the law.
- Grimlock - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:02 pm:
His parents for the love and common sense they didn’t give him as a child.
- Mr. Bucket - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
Trial Lawyers Association, for having the audacity to sue over things not COVID related.
- Northsider - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:09 pm:
H-e-double hockey sticks, why not sue Jon Snow (the GoT character) for violating his Night’s Watch oath?
- Watcher of the Skies - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:15 pm:
Careful, Rich! He’ll sue you for making fun of him.
- Fixer - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:18 pm:
Surprised he hasn’t used the high school students he mocked a few years back and tried linking that to this.
- Fly Creek - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:19 pm:
China. Might as well start at the source. /s
- Banish Misfortune - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:21 pm:
Me? For wearing a mask. Just about everywhere and not going places where people are unmasked.
- revvedup - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:26 pm:
Let’s see…God, President Trump, businesses that require face coverings to enter, people that wear masks, and Dr. Fauci.
- Lt Guv - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:27 pm:
How about Bailey? Just because.
- Pundent - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:32 pm:
I say he should sue Capitol Fax for the the emotional distress that it put SOIL M through wondering if his comment would make it through the filters.
- Frank talks - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:32 pm:
Trevor Noah and John Oliver for their darn incessant fear mongering over the flu.
- cover - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:34 pm:
Taco Bell, Panasonic, etc…
https://youtu.be/MeXQBHLIPcw
- JoanP - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
Trump, because everyone knows wearing a mask *isn’t* patriotic.
Spiderman, because he misleads kids into thinking a mask makes you a superhero.
Hospitals, for making patients wear oxygen masks.
- Bruce( no not him) - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:42 pm:
He should sue the president for that 1 time he wore a mask. It sends a bad message.
- Morty - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:44 pm:
Oxygen, for not being able to pass through a mask (yes, I know masks don’t block oxygen, but DeVore…)
- Paddyrollingstone - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:55 pm:
He’s like the Jerky Boys
“Well, I’m asking you for help and uh… maybe I could sue for punitive damages that you’re giving me.”
- Imaginary brass rings - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
Serious question: can the bar association do anything about a lawyer who is filing too many ridiculous lawsuits? Is there a standard for “abusing” the right to sue?
- GregN - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
Hair Club For Men.
I just saw his picture.
- Thinking about filing - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 4:10 pm:
I’m surprised he hasn’t filed against John Cabello for dropping his lawsuit against the Governor. I’m sure he’s eying the Mayor of Springfield and Sangamon County for both coming out with executive orders for Bars and Restaurants not following the Governor’s guidelines.
Per the Edgar Watchdogs they aren’t following the rule of law and anyone who agrees with them is criminal. So there’s nothing about science involved in these lawsuits. It’s all about proving the Governor wrong. No matter how many people get sick or die. Sad and dangerous.
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 4:13 pm:
Murder hornets for trying to upstage his 15 minutes.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 4:14 pm:
The Church of Scientology for coming up with his legal strategy before he did.
- RNUG - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 4:23 pm:
== masks don’t block oxygen ==
They don’t. Actual test had my blood oxygen level at 98% after about 45 minutes of wearing a N95 paper type mask in the doctor’s office.
- The Ford Lawyer - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 4:38 pm:
-imaginary brass- In Illinois the Bar Association is a voluntary club for lawyers. The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) is where the action is. To answer your real question, though, yes, but he is far, far from the standard of frivolous lawsuits resulting in discipline. He would need multiple judges, in perhaps every jurisdiction he’s filed in, to find the lawsuits without merit. Then those judges would have to be upheld on appeal. Then you might get somewhere, but probably not, since it’s a novel area of the law.
- Mama - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 5:04 pm:
He should sue himself. Who is funding all of his lawsuits?
- DownstateR - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 5:13 pm:
What a lousy hill to die on…
- MyTwoCents - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 5:45 pm:
Honestly, I’m surprised he hasn’t starting suing businesses over their individual mask requirements, although it would be fun to watch him go up against WalMart attorneys. But this is why one of these cases have to make it to the appellate level. The only thing that could possibly stop him is an appellate/Supreme Court ruling. But since he’s playing games it would almost take a judge to rule against the State intentionally wanting to get overturned on appeal.
- Lynn S. - Monday, Jul 27, 20 @ 6:18 pm:
Mama, the woman who used him to sue Quincy had a GoFundMe up, looking for money. So one certainly gets the impression that the fools initiating the lawsuits are required to cross DeVore’s palm with at least 30 pieces of silver before he cranks up the quackery circus.