ISBA News

ISBA Associate Executive Director David Anderson was presented with the Illinois Outstanding Service Award ensuring that mobilized National Guard members have had access to legal services and representation by attorneys in civil cases throughout the state on Friday at the Military Issues CLE held at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office. Making the presentation were (from left) Capt. Mark Huzeker, USN, Commanding Officer, US Navy JAG Midwest Region, Colonel Nicholas S. Rantis of the Illinois Air National Guard, ISBA Associate Executive Director Anderson, Major General Clyde J. "Butch" Tate II, Deputy Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army, and Justice Steven H. David of the Indiana Supreme Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association is offering a free booklet on its website to help citizens learn how to reduce juvenile delinquency in their community and provide alternatives to youth imprisonment. Called “Juvenile Justice in Illinois,” the booklet includes a description of the need, a summary of programs already in place, and action steps to implement a local program. Compiled by ISBA President Mark D. Hassakis, of Mt. Vernon, the booklet is an outgrowth of the focus during his presidency to draw attention to the issue of juvenile justice and help foster change. “What would the juvenile justice system look like if we knew our sons, daughters and grandchildren would go through it?” he has asked. “We must all get involved if changes are to be made.” Hassakis notes that the state spends significant funds to incarcerate youth but does little to rehabilitate them. “The solution is to develop a customized approach for each youth who has either entered the juvenile justice system or is incarcerated in it,” he states. One program that is making a difference, he continues, is Redeploy Illinois, which in its first three years, diverted 382 youth from state juvenile prisons. Some 40 counties have also started Juvenile Justice Councils.  A fact sheet in the booklet lists action steps to develop a council that can lead to improved juvenile delinquency prevention measures. The ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides education and services to its lawyer-members and information to the public.  For further information, visit www.isba.org.

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Academy of Illinois Lawyers will induct its 11th class of Laureates during a luncheon on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at The Standard Club, 320 S. Plymouth Court, in Chicago. The April 26 induction will begin with a reception at 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon at 12:15 p.m.  Reservations are $65 per person and can be made by calling JoAnn Hibbs at (800) 252-8908. The 2011 Class of Laureates, who will be recognized during a ceremony conducted by John G. O’Brien of Arlington Heights, chancellor of the Academy Board of Regents, will bring the total to 102 distinguished Illinois attorneys to be so honored. The Academy was established in 1999 to celebrate excellence in the practice of law by individuals who maintain the highest standards of professional and public service. The 2011 class, nominated by their peers in the profession, includes:

• Peter J. Birnbaum, Chicago, President and CEO of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.
• Gino L. DiVito, Chicago, Partner in Tabet DiVito & Rothstein LLC
• William V. Johnson, Chicago, President of Johnson & Bell, Ltd.
• Rosalyn B. Kaplan (posthumous), Chicago, former Chief, Civil Appeals and Ancillary Litigation Division of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission
• John B. Kincaid, Wheaton, Partner in Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC
• Leo H. Konzen, Granite City, Partner in Lueders, Robertson & Konzen
• David B.

Within the next several days ISBA members will be receiving ballots for the 2011 ISBA Election. On Monday, March 28, VR Election Services (VRES), ISBA's election provider, will be emailing e-ballots to members with valid email addresses and mailing paper ballots to members without email addresses. Members receiving an e-ballot will have the option to request a paper ballot from VRES. Likewise, any member receiving a paper ballot will have the option to vote online. Instructions for requesting a paper ballot will be included in the e-ballot email, and instructions for voting online will be printed on the paper ballot. Online voting ends at 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, April 29th. Paper ballots must be received at VR Election Services in Texas by 4:30 p.m. CT on Friday, April 29, 2011 in order to be counted. The Tellers of the Election will complete the Canvass of the Election no later than May 4, 2011. If you do not receive your emailed or paper ballot by April 4th you may contact VRES at 800.218.4026. All members with their dues paid by March 1st are eligible to vote if there is a contested election in their area. The two contested elections are Cook County Board of Governors, and Downstate under 37 Board of Governors. Because there is no 3rd Vice President contest, out-of-state members do not vote.