A state appeals court on Tuesday reaffirmed its September 2017 ruling that reduced a plaintiff’s $2.5 million punitive damages award to $1.4 million.The 1st District Appellate Court last year found $2.5 million in punitive damages for a case with $156,315.50 in compensatory damages was excessive under federal standards. The court in a Rule 23 order determined $1,406,839.50 in punitive damages would be an appropriate amount for plaintiff Rudolph Francek.Although the Illinois Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of …