Chicago Area

Justice Thomas L. Kilbride of the Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday an innovative mediation program to help ease the financial and emotional burden of homeowners, lenders and taxpayers caused by residential mortgage foreclosures. Justice Kilbride, appearing with Chief Judge Gerald R. Kinney of the Circuit Court of Will County, said the foreclosure mediation program also is aimed at keeping families in homes to prevent vacant and abandoned houses that drive down property values and destabilize neighborhoods. The Illinois Supreme Court approved the program which will operate with no additional expense to taxpayers and be sustained by an increase in filing fees paid by lenders and other plaintiffs seeking to foreclose. “This is an important step forward for those in Will County suffering the effects of our nation’s economic crisis,” said Justice Kilbride. “The Supreme Court has a keen interest in programs with the strong promise of achieving timely and lasting resolution to tough problems. “We are grateful to Chief Judge Kinney and those in the community who helped formulate the details from concept to a working model. We are hopeful it will help families cope with some of the emotional and financial burdens brought on by the current economic difficulties, and help give them a new start on their way to better times.” Chief Judge Kinney first brought the proposal to Justice Kilbride, and worked with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, the administrative arm of the Supreme Court, to refine and finalize details. He also has discussed the plan with lawyers for lenders and debtors in the community.  He expects the program to be up and running within a month. “Obviously, this is an attempt to begin to solve a serious societal problem,” Chief Judge Kinney said. “Foreclosures are tearing up our neighborhoods and our communities. This is an effort to lend some stability to what could be a financially and emotionally chaotic process. It’s a way for the courts to help address some of these community problems.” Judge Kinney believes that Will County has a rate of foreclosure as high as any other area in the state. From June 2008 to June 2009, there were 5,541 foreclosures filed in Will County, and that number is increasing. Judge Kinney estimates that between 2,700 and 3,000 cases would be screened annually for mediation.

“Batter Up for Justice,” the second annual Illinois Judges Foundation benefit for a summer judicial internship program for qualified law students, will take place on Monday, July 19, in Chicago. The venue is the Sheffield Baseball Club, 3619 N. Sheffield, across from Wrigley Field where the Chicago Cubs will play the Houston Astros. Game time is 7:05 p.m., but the rooftop event will begin at 6:05 p.m. The Lawyers’ Auxiliary Committee of the Foundation is the sponsor. Proceeds will help provide full-time, minimum six-week internships and stipends to first- and second-year law students who qualify because of minority status or financial need. The Judges Foundation has secured the participation of federal and state judges who preside in courtrooms around the state. The admission fee of $150 per person includes food and an open bar throughout the game. The event is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservations may be made by calling (312) 554-2008 or (773) 780-9991, or by e-mailing ijf@chicagobar.org. Sponsorships at various levels are available. A portion of each contribution is tax-deductible.

Chicago area

• Public defender in prosecutor beating case freed without bond, Chicago Tribune
• Chicago appeals judge moving chambers to Indiana, Chicago Tribune
• Charges dismissed against cop in fatal Thanksgiving Day crash, Chicago Sun-Times
• Blagojevich Day 2: "I'll be vindicated", Chicago Tribune
• Suburbs poised to fight Cook Co. on red light cameras, Daily Herald

Southern Illinois

• Groups: Prisons violate civil rights, The Southern

This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.

[caption id="attachment_11892" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Michelle Lawless"][/caption] Michelle Lawless has been named partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck after distinguishing herself as an associate since 2002. Ms. Lawless came to Schiller DuCanto and Fleck LLP following two years as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Moshe Jacobius, Presiding Judge of the Domestic Relations Division, Circuit Court of Cook County. During that time, she also served as Division Attorney and Administrator of the Cook County Child Representative Program. Ms. Lawless received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and English from Indiana University and her Juris Doctorate degree from St. Louis University School of Law. In 2009, Michelle was recognized as one of 40 attorneys to watch who were under 40 years of age by the Chicago Law Bulletin Publishing Company.