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Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Law Pulse

Found treasure By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2004 Lawpulse, Page 614 Dividends on unclaimed stock belong to the owner, not the state, the supreme court rules.
The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2004 Lawpulse, Page 614 The Illinois Industrial Commission will get a new name to go with its new, more efficient approach to doing business, the chair says.
When "one appellate court" disagrees with itself By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2004 Lawpulse, Page 614 When appellate district panels disagree, which decision controls? The answer is far from certain.
DUI: the acid-reflux defense By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2004 Lawpulse, Page 562 The high court holds that defendants with acid-reflux disease can raise it as a defense if it causes them to regurgitate during breath-alcohol testing.
Filmmaker charged under eavesdropping statute By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2004 Lawpulse, Page 562 A filmmaker who taped police without their consent is charged under the Illinois Eavesdropping Statute.
Illinois' new WARN law By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2004 Lawpulse, Page 562 There's already a federal law requiring employers to notify workers about layoffs and closing; effective January 1, there'll be a state law to go with it.
No credit for child-support overpayment By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2004 Lawpulse, Page 562 The bottom line for obligors – pay what you owe and not a penny more, and keep track of what you pay.
What limits on lawyer–notaries? By Helen W. Gunnarsson November 2004 Lawpulse, Page 562 Can lawyers notarize their clients' signatures on wills, POAs and the like? Some say "no," most say "yes."
Clients not liable for lawyers' intentional torts By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2004 Lawpulse, Page 508 The Illinois Supreme Court holds that clients are not liable for lawyers' intentional torts unless they authorized, directed, or ratified the lawyers' conduct.
Higher standard for challenging special use permits applies prospectively, court says By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2004 Lawpulse, Page 508 A second district case says the higher due process requirements do not apply retroactively.
A new, higher limit for small-estate affidavits By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2004 Lawpulse, Page 508 The ceiling for small estate affidavits has doubled from $50,000 to $100,000. But will it make the well-meaning people who serve as affiants more attractive targets for lawsuits?
When is "special service" good enough? By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2004 Lawpulse, Page 508 How hard must you try to accomplish personal service before you can resort to service by publication? A recent first district case tackles the question.
Will Blakely create sentencing chaos? By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2004 Lawpulse, Page 508 Federal and many state courts are holding off on sentencing hearings in the wake of Blakely, but the case will have limited impact on Illinois state courts. Find out why.
Can cities cap med-mal damage awards? By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2004 Lawpulse, Page 450 Does home rule authority really empower cities to regulate medical malpractice litigation? Not likely, observers say.
Family limited partnerships get the green light By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2004 Lawpulse, Page 450 This important tax-planning device for farmers and business owners gets a boost from a federal appellate court.
Grandparent visitation, take 2 By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2004 Lawpulse, Page 450 The legislature passes a new grandparent visitation law, which is designed to cure the defects of its unconstitutional predecessor.
New weapons for child-support collection By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2004 Lawpulse, Page 450 Freshly passed bills promise to make child-support collection a little easier, and maybe a little less expensive.
Verbatim-record provision to meeting law amended By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2004 Lawpulse, Page 450 The legislature amended the Open Meetings Act to clarify that verbatim recordings are accessible only in litigation over whether the public body violated the Act. Is the amendment too restrictive?
Defendants liable for undiscounted hospital bills, appellate court rules By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2004 Lawpulse, Page 390 The third district appellate court ruled early this year that a plaintiff is entitled to the amount of a hospital's undiscounted bill, not a lower amount negotiated by the plaintiff's insurance carrier.
Illinois pension recipients win at high court By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2004 Lawpulse, Page 390 The U.S. Supreme Court upholds ERISA's "anti-cutback" provision, ruling that pension plans can't retroactively limit the kinds of jobs workers can take after they retire.
Posthumous pet protection provisions By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2004 Lawpulse, Page 390 A new statute validates trusts for the benefit of pets, but what provisions should pet trusts include? Here are suggestions.
Rule 756 requires mandatory disclosure of malpractice coverage By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2004 Lawpulse, Page 390 What the new rule means – and could portend – for Illinois lawyers.
You, too, can be title insurance agent By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2004 Lawpulse, Page 390 Have – or hope to have – an active residential real estate practice? If you're not a title agent already, becoming one might well boost your bottom line.
Is laches a defense to child-support claims? By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2004 Lawpulse, Page 334 Probably not, no matter how long the obligee waits to collect; and the same goes for equitable estoppel.
Sealing court records: what's the standard in Illinois? By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2004 Lawpulse, Page 334 Surprisingly, no statute or supreme court rule sets forth standards for sealing court records from the public.
Title work is lawyers' work By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2004 Lawpulse, Page 334 Leading real estate practitioners warn their fellow lawyers not to cede control over title work to realtors.
Watch out for (un)real estate deals By Helen W. Gunnarsson July 2004 Lawpulse, Page 334 Don't let your clients lead you down the road to a RESPA violation by misstating the price of real estate.
Ethics overkill? By Helen W. Gunnarsson June 2004 Lawpulse, Page 286 The Illinois Municipal League and the Illinois AG offer competing model ethics-in-government ordinances for local governmental bodies.
Hall v Henn discourages neighborliness, critics say By Helen W. Gunnarsson June 2004 Lawpulse, Page 286 Critics fear that the supreme court's interpretation of an immunity statute will discourage landowners from making their property available to others.
Is doubling the bankruptcy homestead exemption on the horizon? By Helen W. Gunnarsson June 2004 Lawpulse, Page 286 Bigger homestead and personal property exemptions would benefit debtor-homeowners and encourage more debtors to opt for Chapter 7, not Chapter 13, relief.
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