2010 Articles

Judicial evaluations - a necessary pain in the neck

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2010
LawPulse
, Page 446
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Judicial Selection in Illinois: A Third Way

By Gino L. DiVito
December
2010
Article
, Page 624
Judicial elections? Merit selection? While the decades-old debate continues, a former judge proposes a constitutional amendment that represents a third way.

Judicial Versus Legislative Authority after Lebron

By Professor Jeffrey A. Parness
June
2010
Column
, Page 324
The med-mal caps ruling continues the age-old battle over separation of powers.

Juror Number 10, Attorney at Law

By Phillip H. Hamilton
June
2010
Cover Story
, Page 296
An ISBA member explains how his jury service changed - forever - his perspective on trial practice.
5 comments (Most recent August 5, 2010)

Jury trial tips

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2010
LawPulse
, Page 174
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Juvenile Justice: The Power of Prevention

By Mark D. Hassakis
December
2010
Column
, Page 608
Illinois spends much more on jailing juveniles than on prevention.

Juvenile offender reports mandated. PA 096-0853

March
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 128
The Children and Family Services Act has been amended to require the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission to prepare a report concerning parole revocations of juvenile offenders, to be completed by September 30, 2010.

Killing medical professionals on the job now an aggravating factor. PA 096-1475

November
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 564
The Criminal Code of 1961 has been amended to add an aggravating factor that can result in natural life imprisonment for a criminal offender. (720 ILCS 5/9-1)

Labor and Employment Lawyers and the New Rules

By Michael R. Lied
July
2010
Column
, Page 376
New rules affect lawyers who represent organizations and clients who appear before agencies.

Laws relaxed for vehicle window tinting. PA 096-0815

March
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 128
Drivers can now operate vehicles with more tinting on the side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver, under a law passed recently by Illinois lawmakers. 

Leave time not marital property, high court holds

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
March
2010
LawPulse
, Page 122
Unused leave days have only a "speculative" future value, the Illinois Supreme Court opines.

Legal Immunities for Local Governments in Public Health Emergencies

By Christina Marie Webb
June
2010
Article
, Page 314
A brief review of immunities available to local governments, governmental employees, and volunteers if they're sued for conduct arising from public health emergencies.

The legal significance of the difference between “in his breath” and “on his breath”

July
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 348
On April 16, 2010, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District, reversed a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) by the Lee County Circuit Court holding that evidence was insufficient to establish that defendant had cannabis in his breath, blood or urine when he was driving.

Lessons for lawyers from the Blago trial

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2010
LawPulse
, Page 446
Post-verdict takeaways

Lifting the veil on rule 23 orders

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2010
LawPulse
, Page 558
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Like it or not, you’re on the ‘Net

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
April
2010
LawPulse
, Page 174
Do you know what they're saying about you out there? Or what you said that you probably shouldn't have? Here's how to find out and what you can do about it.

Listing an item on eBay does not confer personal jurisdiction upon Illinois courts

August
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 400
The Appellate Court of Illinois, Second District, in June upheld a motion to dismiss from the Circuit Court of Du Page County, finding that "a seller of an item on eBay, without further ties to a forum, is not subject to specific jurisdiction in that forum."

LLC Members by Default?

By Lin Hanson
June
2010
Column
, Page 328
If an LLC member loses her shares, to what extent does a creditor stand in her shoes?

Looking for “facts” in all the Wrong Places

By Hon. Ron Spears
February
2010
Column
, Page 102
Social networking sites are great - unless jurors are using them in ways that threaten a fair trial.

Making the most of your FOIA request

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
November
2010
LawPulse
, Page 558
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Mandatory unemployment insurance disclosure by not-for-profit employers. P.A. 096-0970

September
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 452
The Illinois General Assembly has amended the General Not-For-Profit Corporation Act of 1986, requiring not-for-profit corporations to inform their employees by written notice or in their employment contract that they are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.  

The Many Money-Saving benefits of ISBA Membership

By John G. O’Brien
March
2010
Column
, Page 120
No doubt about it - your dues investment has a very high return.

Market yourself to existing clients

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
August
2010
LawPulse
, Page 394
Don't hide your lamp under a bushel, experts warn, or your clients may head for lawyers with better self-promotional skills.

The Mediation Option for Attorney Discipline Cases

By Mary Patricia Benz
May
2010
Article
, Page 262
Are some disciplinary cases good candidates for mediation? This lawyer-mediator says "yes."

Medicare and Future Medical Expenses: Does the “Super Lien” Apply?

By Bradford J. Peterson
January
2010
Article
, Page 26
It's common to accommodate Medicare liens in personal injury liability claims. But must litigants also protect Medicare from future medical expenses? The author explores the issue.

Minimum penalty enacted for traffic offenses. PA 096-1462

November
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 564
The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to include a minimum penalty for traffic offenses. 625 ILCS 5/16-104e.

“[M]ortal combat”: Carr v Tillery

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
March
2010
LawPulse
, Page 122
A legendary Metro-East trial lawyer and his former partners go head to head.

A murder conviction is no longer needed for application of the “slayer statute”

July
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 348
On April 29, 2010, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District, upheld a decision of the Circuit Court of Macon County finding that the "slayer statute" prevents an individual deemed insane for criminal purposes, but nevertheless cognizant of murdering a person, from receiving any property, benefit or other interest he may have received by a death he caused.

Must landlords seeking overdue rent comply with the FDCPA?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
February
2010
LawPulse
, Page 66
The third district held that landlords must comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act when attempting to collect past-due rent from their renters.

Mutual will contains embedded contract, which could govern conduct of surviving spouse

November
2010
Illinois Law Update
, Page 564
On August 10, 2010, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District, determined that a third-party beneficiary is entitled to enforce a contract embedded in a mutual will before the death of the surviving spouse.