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Illinois Bar Journal
Articles From 2012

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Jurors may question witnesses under new supreme court rule By Adam W. Lasker June 2012 Lawpulse, Page 286 Starting next month, jurors will be permitted to submit written questions for witnesses to the court for consideration. Proponents say it will help jurors understand the case and stay engaged.
Law enforcement authorities must provide notice when re-opening a closed case. PA 097-0457 March 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 132 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act to require law enforcement authorities to provide notice when a closed case is re-opened for investigation (725 ILCS 120/4.5).
Law Firm Embezzlement: The Butler Didn't Do It By Karen Erger August 2012 Column, Page 438 Keep your firm from becoming the scene of an embezzlement whodunit.
Law provides a property tax exemption for homes rebuilt after a natural disaster. PA 097-0716 September 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 464 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Property Tax Code by adding section 15-173.
LAWPAC Needs Impact By John G. Locallo January 2012 Column, Page 8 It's more important than ever to give lawyers a strong voice in Springfield.
A Lawyer Looks at 65: Planning for Your Future as an Older Lawyer By Karen Erger October 2012 Column, Page 560 Build up your retirement account and downsize lavish late-life dreams.
Lawyer Websites: The New Yellow Pages By Bonnie Booth August 2012 Article, Page 424 When most people search for lawyers, they search the Internet. So why don't more lawyers have websites?
Lawyers and Law School Reform By Andrew P. Morriss and William D. Henderson August 2012 Article, Page 414 Too many law students emerge with staggering debt and grim job prospects. It's time for bar associations and the legal academy to work together to strengthen the profession, these scholars say.
Lawyers, Doctors and Matryoshka Dolls By Hon. Ron Spears February 2012 Column, Page 106 Fee contests over physician testimony reflect the tension between lawyers and doctors.
Legal Parenthood: Old Doctrines, New Families By Professor Jeffrey A. Parness June 2012 Column, Page 330 Is the “superior parental rights” doctrine outdated?
Lessons Learned - Preventing Client Relations Problems that Cause Claims By Karen Erger April 2012 Column, Page 216 Even claims that don't result in a payout teach lessons.
Lessors of dwelling units must disclose radon hazards to current and prospective tenants. PA 097-0021 January 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 The Illinois Radon Awareness Act has been amended to require lessors of dwelling units to disclose any radon hazard to lessees. 420 ILCS 46/25 new.
Licensed persons may take possession of fur-bearing mammals killed by traffic accidents. PA 097-0628 May 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 240 The Wildlife Code has been amended to allow persons holding all appropriate licenses, stamps, or permits to take possession of fur-bearing mammals in certain situations where trapping or hunting of such fur-bearing mammals would otherwise have been prohibited. (520 ILCS 5/2.30.)
Limits on open burning. PA 097-0488 June 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 292 The Fire Protection District Act has been amended to allow for the emergency prohibition of open burning (70 ILCS 705/8.20).
Local boards of trustees may sell treated wastewater. PA 097-1000 December 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 632 Illinois lawmakers have amended the role of boards of trustees of the sanitary districts formed under the Sanitary District Act of 1917. 70 ILCS 2405/7.
Long-term acute care hospitals are no longer required to provide emergency care. PA 097-0667 May 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 240 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act (210 ILCS 50/3.190) and the Hospital Emergency Service Act (210 ILCS 80/1) to make emergency care services optional for long-term acute care hospitals.
Love, Marriage, and the IRS: Tax Advantages of Illinois Civil Unions By Barbara K. Lundergan April 2012 Article, Page 200 You may be surprised to learn that civil unions afford better tax treatment than marriage for some heterosexual couples.
Lying to police can be obstruction By Adam W. Lasker April 2012 Lawpulse, Page 178 Lying to a police officer can support a conviction for obstruction of justice if the lying directly hinders the officer's official performance, the Illinois Supreme Court rules.
Making Gifts Can Reduce Illinois Estate Taxes By Robert J. Kolasa December 2012 Article, Page 646 Recent Illinois legislation established higher estate tax exclusion amounts. Learn how clients can use gifts to substantially reduce Illinois estate taxes.
Mandated reporting requirements have been expanded to include new types of professionals. PA 097-0711 September 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 464 In the wake of the Penn State scandal, the Illinois General Assembly has amended the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5/4) to expand the types of professionals required to report child abuse and neglect. Added to the list of professionals are higher education institution personnel, athletic program or facility personnel, and early intervention providers.
Marital property should be valued as close as possible to the trial date in a bifurcated hearing January 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 he appropriate valuation date of marital property in a bifurcated dissolution hearing is the date of trial under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act, according to a November 9, 2011, Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court ruling.
Marriage and Divorce at Midlife and Beyond By Ross S. Levey and Kelley L. Menzano October 2012 Article, Page 544 As the 45-and-older population continues to grow, family law practitioners are faced with an array of issues unique to the "gray divorce revolution."
MCLE goes to the movies By Adam W. Lasker June 2012 Lawpulse, Page 286 A pair of Illinois attorneys uses lawyer-themed Hollywood films to teach lessons about legal ethics.
Missing Video Evidence in DUI Cases after People v. Kladis By Thomas Kantas May 2012 Article, Page 250 In Kladis, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the state commits a discovery violation if it loses or destroy video evidence in a misdemeanor DUI case. Here's a look at this and related cases.
A Modest Proposal - Liability for Negligence in Property Inspections By Joseph R. Fortunato Jr. April 2012 Column, Page 220 Is it time for legislation that voids liability limitations in property inspectors' contracts?
Mortgagee has 90 days to accept or reject mortgagor's short sale offer. PA 097-0666 March 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 132 The Code of Civil Procedure has been amended to require a mortgagee involved in a residential real estate foreclosure to either accept or reject a mortgagor's short sale offer within 90 days of the offer (735 ILCS 5/15-1401.1 new).
Municipalities may use automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones. PA 097-0672 April 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 184 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Vehicle Code to authorize municipalities with at least one million residents to install and operate automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones.
Narrowing the Illinois anti-SLAPP statute By Adam W. Lasker March 2012 Lawpulse, Page 126 The Illinois Supreme Court reins in a statute designed to stop misuse of defamation lawsuits to silence critics speaking out on matters of public interest.
Navigating the Seventh Circuit's Website By Tom Gaylord May 2012 Column, Page 268 What better place to look for court information - everything from opinions to court rules to brief-writing guides - than the court's own website?
"Neglected child" definition expanded and "blatant disregard" defined. PA 097-0803 November 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 580 Illinois lawmakers have amended section 3 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. 325 ILCS 5/3.