Ending a difficult year with warm wishes and hope for the future.

2020 will long be remembered as a year that brought us a worldwide pandemic, a fragile economy, and a civil-rights reckoning—all of which will continue into 2021.

In spite of these adversities, most of us have managed to move forward, albeit at a different pace than we are accustomed. Social distancing and wearing masks, while helpful in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, have kept us from our normal gatherings and the fellowship the Illinois State Bar Association brings to its members. While we must continue our virtual gatherings for now and into 2021, we all look forward to the day when we can return to better ways of sharing the experiences that come with ISBA membership.

Our statewide member survey on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the economic, physical, and mental well-being of our members is now complete and the results will be distributed this month (see the January Illinois Bar Journal for in-depth coverage). The ISBA is already working on programming to benefit our members based on initial results of the survey. One thing you can count on will be that the ISBA stands ready to assist its members through these troubling times.

Virtual Town Hall and Midyear Meeting

I hope to see all of you at the first-ever ISBA Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. Registration is free, but you must register to participate.

The Virtual Town Hall is part of this year’s virtual and free Midyear Meeting. If you have ever wanted to be a part of the Midyear Meeting, but did not have the time or inclination to travel to the event, this is a great way to join us and learn more about what is on the minds of your colleagues from around the state. I very much look forward to what all of our members have to say.

Illinois Supreme Court changes

Finally, 2020 has brought other changes. Justice Lloyd Karmeier and Justice Tom Kilbride will be leaving the Illinois Supreme Court after a combined 36 years of service there. Both justices deserve our special thanks for all they have done. Both will be recognized by the ISBA at its Assembly Meeting on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. We also offer our congratulations to Justice David Overstreet and Justice P. Scott Neville on their recent election to their seats on the Illinois Supreme Court and to Justice Robert L. Carter on his appointment to the Court. We look forward to continuing the excellent working relationship the ISBA has with our Supreme Court.

As you can see on the next page, Cathy and I, along with all of the ISBA officers and staff, wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season on behalf of the officers and staff of the Illinois State Bar Association.