The newsletter of the ISBA’s Diversity Leadership Council

June 2012, vol. 6, no. 1

Now every article is the start of a discussion. If you're a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, you can comment on any of the articles that appear below.

In This Issue…

• Reflections of incoming President John E. Thies
  A message from John E. Thies, who will serve as ISBA President during the 2012-13 term.
• Diversity is both seen and unseen
  As we strive to create a more inclusive profession, we need to be mindful that we cannot always see diversity.
• Diversity Leadership Fellows Program continues to identify future ISBA leaders
  The ISBA’s Diversity Leadership Fellows program just completed its second full year and has been making strides in increasing diversity in the ISBA’s section councils and committees.
• The Judicial Intern Opportunity Program
  Now celebrating over 10 years of success, JIOP was established in response to a study released in February 2000, which reported that only 15 percent of all judicial clerkships are held by minorities—despite the fact that minorities make up 30 percent of the nation’s population and 20 percent of the law student population.
• Street Law’s Legal Diversity Pipeline Program
  This year Street Law, Inc., celebrated 40 years of providing accessible, engaging, and interactive programs to empower students and communities to become active, legally-savvy contributors to society. 
• Obama supports same-sex marriage in May 9th interview
  On May 9, 2012, ABC News’ Robin Roberts interviewed President Obama and during that interview he stated for the first time that he now supports same-sex marriage. Below is a small portion of that history-making interview and his thoughts on equal rights and related legal issues.
• ISBA invests in the Pipeline
  The ISBA/JTBF Law & Leadership Institute is a statewide initiative to assist students from minority, ethnic, and other groups who are currently underrepresented in the legal professions achieve academic success and aspire to a career in the law.
• E. Lynn Grayson wins Diversity Leadership Award
  In recognition of her long-standing, continuing and exceptional commitment to the critical importance of diversity within the Illinois legal community, its judiciary and the Illinois State Bar Association, E. Lynn Grayson is the 2012 winner of the ISBA Diversity Leadership Award. 

Related Court Cases

Due Process
Murray v. Poani
Plaintiffs filed Section 1983 action, alleging that village and its police department deprived them of their due process rights in active involvement in a private repossession of their vehicle. Issue of material fact exists as to whether deprivation of due process rights was as a result of state action, by officer facilitating unlawful taking of personal property. (APPLETON and KNECHT, concurring.)

Professional Regulation
Parikh v. The Division of Professional Regulation of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Court was within its discretion in denying neurologist's request for stay of IDPR's order indefinitely suspending his medical license for minimum of one year, upon allegations he had repeatedly touched breasts and vaginal areas of 21-year-old patient during neurological examinations. Neurologist did not show that granting stay was not contrary to public policy; Director explained his points of disagreement with ALJ's finding, and statute does not limit Director's authority to disagree on questions of aggravation or mitigation. (SALONE and NEVILLE, concurring.)

Tax
Kaider v. Hamos
Court properly denied petition for leave to file taxpayer's suit to enjoin disbursement of state funds under Section 11-303 of Code of Civil Procedure, to prevent State from providing health benefits to pregnant women and children not lawfully in the United States. Illinois General Assembly opted out of the benefits bar via federal statute giving states authority to provide benefits to unlawful aliens through enactment of State law after August 1996. All Kids Act raised income threshold for eligibility, and imposed no immigration or citizen requirements, and stated intent was to allow "all children" of Illinois to access affordable health insurance. (McBRIDE and HOWSE, concurring.)

Sexual Harassment
Crittenden v. Cook County Commission on Human Rights
Bartender filed sexual harassment complaint against former employer. Cook County Commission on Human Rights properly awarded bartender lost wages and compensatory damages, given evidence and conflicting witness testimony. Commission properly allowed Petitioner to testify to clarify date of harassment incident, mistakenly identified as one week earlier in complaint. Commission did not err in allowing hearsay testimony of Petitioner's family, as defense introduced subject initially. Commission, as administrative agency, has no general or common law authority to award punitive damages, and County Human Rights Ordinance does not authorize punitive damages. (GARCIA and LAMPKIN, concurring.)