[caption id="attachment_2691" align="alignright" width="300" caption="IBF Board members Russell Hartigan (left) of Chicago and George Mahoney (right) of Joliet present a $15,000 grant to Meg Benson, CVLS Executive Director."][/caption]
The Illinois Bar Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce a $15,000 grant to Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS), one of 32 grants awarded this year totaling $304,995. Founded in 1964, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation (CVLS) is one of the oldest and largest pro bono programs in the country. Last year, nearly 2,000 volunteers provided legal assistance to over 17,000 low-income people. The 2004 Illinois Legal Needs Study found that CVLS is the largest pro bono program in the state, handling nearly 45% of all pro bono cases. One quarter of all cases statewide handled by a legal services program are handled by a CLVS volunteer or staff attorney.
The IBF grant specifically supports the Chancery Court Access to Justice Program, a cooperative venture between CVLS and Cook County's Chancery Court. Chancery Court judges appoint CVLS to represent pro se low-income parties in mortgage foreclosures and partitions, actions to quiet title, subsidized housing evictions and appeals of government administrative decisions.
Chicago Area
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July 27, 2009 |
ISBA News
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July 27, 2009
Central Illinois
- Three charged in murder of Loami cab driver in Christian County, Decatur Herald & Review
Chicago area
- Rep. Rush pushes for Bereaved Consumers Bill of Rights, Chicago Sun-Times
- Judge won't release ill 85-year-old, Chicago Tribune
- Cemetery panel hears appeals for more oversight, Chicago Tribune
- Abbott to get $400 million from settlement of suits, Chicago Business
Southern Illinois
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July 27, 2009 |
Member Services
Take the 2009 ISBA Membership Survey and Enter our Prize Giveaway
Last Thursday we sent an e-mail to all lawyer members asking them to complete our online 2009 Membership Survey. By completing the Survey, you will help us access member satisfaction with the ISBA and the services we provide, and help guide our Association's future direction and services. After you have completed the survey, we will enter your name in a drawing for one of the following prizes if you choose to provide your contact information* at the end of the survey:- Four (4) members will win an iPod Nano loaded with up to six (6) MCLE/PMCLE hours of FastCLE programs of their choosing. (Valued at up to $330)
- One (1) member will win the grand prize, including one (1) free year of membership in the ISBA plus an iPod Nano loaded with up to six (6) MCLE/PMCLE hours of FastCLE programs of their choosing. (Valued at up to $650, depending on membership category)
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July 24, 2009 |
Practice News
Chief Judge James F. Holderman announced today that the U.S. District Court Clerk's Office has now made the application for the position of United States Magistrate Judge available online. The Court anticipates that one or more vacancies will exist for the position of United States Magistrate Judge this year. Chief Judge Holderman intends to appoint a Merit Selection Panel that will screen the candidates and make recommendations to the district judges in the fall of 2009. The Court hopes to fill the open Magistrate Judge positions by spring 2010. These are full-time positions with an eight-year term of office and a duty station at the U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois. The duties of the position of a United States magistrate judge include the conduct of most preliminary proceedings in federal criminal cases, the trial and disposition of federal misdemeanor cases upon consent of the litigants, the conduct of various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on reference from the district judges of the Court, and the trial and disposition of federal civil cases upon consent of the litigants. To be qualified for appointment as a United States magistrate judge, an applicant must be, and have been for at least five years, a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands of the United States, and have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years.
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July 24, 2009
Chicago area
- Immigration officials arrest suspected gang members, Chicago Tribune
- Buffalo Grove changing practices following records controversy, Daily Herald
Southern Illinois
- Chicago lawyer accused of harassing woman, Alton Telegraph
State
Nation
- Evangelist Alamo guilty in underage sex case, Chicago Tribune
- Lawyer arrested in court wins suit for false arrest, ABA Journal
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July 24, 2009 |
People
Arbitration and mediation expert John W. "Jack" Cooley, a former U.S. magistrate judge, passed away from multiple myeloma on July 21 at his home in Evanston. Mr. Cooley worked for two large private arbitration and mediation firms. He taught conflict resolution at Northwestern University's law school for the last 12 years and wrote several books, including "The Mediator's Handbook" and "The Arbitrator's Handbook." He later came to believe his cancer was caused by exposure to Agent Orange during the war, and the government accepted his claim earlier this year, his daughter said. Raised in St. Louis, where his father was a barber, Mr. Cooley went to a private military academy before joining the Class of 1965 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He reached the rank of captain, but a tour of duty in Vietnam led him to law school. Click here to read the full Tribune story.
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July 24, 2009 |
People
Evette Zells, 71, passed away earlier this month. Ms. Zells graduated from Roosevelt University and earned a master's degree from Duke University. She received her law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law. Ms. Zells was a former educator, Illinois court child advocate and hearing officer for Cook County Juvenile Court. Click here to read the full Sun-Times story. Click here to read the Tribune story.
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July 24, 2009
[caption id="attachment_2660" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Illinois Supreme Court building at 200 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield"][/caption] The Illinois Supreme Court building was completed in 1908. The first floor holds the offices for the clerk of the court. The courtroom used by the Illinois Supreme Court and an Appellate Courtroom are on the second floor. This floor also contains a law library. The third floor is closed to the public. It has living quarters that the justices use while they are in session. Address: 200 E. Capitol Avenue, Springfield Year built: 1908 Cost: $450,000 Architect: W. Carbys Zimmerman Click here to view our photo tour
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July 23, 2009
State
- Casinos want Blago lawsuit sent to trial judge, Springfield State Journal-Register
- Illinois officials collect $1.4 billion in child support, Springfield State Journal-Register
Chicago area
- Stroger won't block move to decriminalize pot, Chicago Sun-Times
- Judge: Use DUI test despite blood destruction, Chicago Tribune
- U.S. indicts N. suburban developer in $8M fraud, Chicago Tribune
- Cook County to put traffic ticket system online, Chicago Tribune
Southern Illinois
- Coleman attorney to get Major Case Squad reports on slaying investigation, Belleville News-Democrat
Nation
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July 23, 2009 |
Practice News
Chief Circuit Judge Stephen Culliton has named two finalists for the Office of Associate Judge in the 18th Circuit Court in DuPage County. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Judge Kenneth A. Abraham. The two finalists are:
- Paul A. Marchese, DuPage County Assistant State's Attorney
- Robert A. Miller, Chief Public Defender for DuPage County