What does 'service by publication' mean in this case?

It means the court allowed notice to LaDarold Ford by publishing the lawsuit information in a St. Clair County newspaper instead of personal delivery.

Who approved service by publication?

The Circuit Court for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Clair County, approved the plaintiff's motion.

Will publication stop the lawsuit if the defendant doesn't see it?

No; if the defendant does not respond after publication, the court may continue and potentially enter judgment without their input.

Court Notice — Clair County (25 CH 0006)

Official courthouse record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Alternative service order

Affects:DefendantsGeneral Public

The court granted Founders Insurance Company's request to serve defendant LaDarold Ford by publication in a St. Clair County newspaper, allowing alternative service because personal service likely could not be completed. This permits the lawsuit to proceed against that defendant.

Key Takeaways

Court approved alternative service by publication
Service authorized specifically for LaDarold Ford
Publication to occur in a St. Clair County newspaper
Case number: 25 CH 0006

Published: May 15, 2026 · 6 days ago
Category: Court Notice
City: Clair County
Case #: 25 CH 0006

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If you don't respond

If LaDarold Ford does not respond after the published notice, the court may proceed without his participation and could enter judgments or rulings in his absence; no specific publication deadlines were provided in the order.

What to do next

1
Monitor local St. Clair County newspapers
Check St. Clair County public notices for the publication of the service to LaDarold Ford following this May 15, 2026 order.
2
Plaintiff: Arrange publication
Plaintiff should publish the court-approved notice in a St. Clair County newspaper as authorized and keep proof of publication for the court file.
3
Defendant: Respond after seeing notice
If LaDarold Ford finds the published notice, he should promptly contact an attorney and file a response with the court referencing Case No. 25 CH 0006.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'service by publication' mean in this case?: It means the court allowed notice to LaDarold Ford by publishing the lawsuit information in a St. Clair County newspaper instead of personal delivery.
Who approved service by publication?: The Circuit Court for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Clair County, approved the plaintiff's motion.
Will publication stop the lawsuit if the defendant doesn't see it?: No; if the defendant does not respond after publication, the court may continue and potentially enter judgment without their input.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

Alternative Service via Publication: Court-ordered notice by publishing in a newspaper when personal service cannot be completed.
Publication: The act of placing legal notice in a newspaper to notify an individual of legal action.

Full Notice Text

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT
FOR THE TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Founders Insurance Company v. Erica Freeman Williams, LaDarold Ford, 
Matteo Rivera, Brenda Rivera and Brian Kelley
Case No.: 25 CH 0006
ORDER
This matter coming before the Court on Plaintiff's Motion for Alternative Service via Publication, counsel for Plaintiff present, and the Court being fully apprised of the premises therein, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

      1. Plaintiff's Motion for Alternative Service via Publication is Granted.

 
       2.  Plaintiff may serve Defendant LADAROLD FORD by publication in a St. Clair County newspaper or publicization.
IPL0338698
May 15,22 2026