Hearing Scheduled in Ambulance Lawsuit

A hearing is set for March 4 in the suit brought by Altamont Ambulance Service against the Effingham County Board.

The hearing was set Thursday by Chief Judge Michael McHaney and will be overseen by Judge Allan Lolie. The judge was assigned the case after two local judges, James Eder and Resident Circuit Judge Kimberly Koester, recused themselves from the case.

Altamont Ambulance is suing the County, saying the County breached their contract with the ambulance service by amending the ambulance ordinance to allow other ambulance companies to handle non-emergency transfers in the county.

For their part, the County Board alleges that Altamont Ambulance has committed a series of violations of the contract.

In the meantime, a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Eder on November 25, remains in effect, stopping the County from making changes to the ambulance contract.