The Illinois Supreme Court on Monday returned some of the massive appeal bond that Philip Morris USA posted in a lawsuit over the company's 'light' cigarettes.

The money amounts to US$ 2.15 billion, the tobacco giant said in a statement. The court order did not specify the amount.
The order, agreed to by both sides, gave Philip Morris back some of the cash it was originally required to put up before appealing a US$ 10 billion verdict from Madison County. The state Supreme Court threw out the verdict in December and refused to reconsider its ruling last month.
A US$ 6 billion note also backing up the appeal bond is still being held in escrow and won't be released until the US Supreme Court decides whether to take the case. Lawyers have said they expect a decision from the nation's highest court by autumn. (pi)