Note: This letter was sent to editorial page editors around the state.
The appointment last week of a new state juvenile justice chief – a veteran of the state’s child welfare system – signals a new era in juvenile justice reform. Mr. Arthur Bishop is on record favoring a different treatment model for troubled youth that emphasizes rehabilitation and second chances. That is good news, not only for the youth and their families, but for all Illinois citizens.
As president of the Illinois State Bar Association, I will work closely with our members to concentrate on the very important issue of juvenile justice reform. For too long, we have largely employed a system that has failed our youth, spending a staggering $100 million annually to lock them up in state correctional facilities or in detention centers while they await trial. It’s not working – for them or for us.
Fortunately, we are beginning to see a reversal of this past trend. Research from the MacArthur Foundation, a partner in our effort, shows that half or more of our youth sent to prison for lesser crimes return to our communities after discharge from prison without rehabilitation having occurred. The last thing we want to happen is increased exposure of our youth to hardened criminals as their role models.
We already know what works. Leaders in Illinois communities of all sizes, including lawyers, prosecutors and judges, have implemented alternative treatment options that are producing results. During my presidency, many of our lawyer and judge members of the bar will focus on and celebrate the good work already underway. In the process, we hope to raise further awareness of this timely issue.
The next few years will be crucial ones for juvenile justice reform.
ISBA News
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July 22, 2010 |
ISBA News
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July 22, 2010 |
ISBA News
The Illinois State Bar Association and Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago are excited to offer an opportunity for Champaign County Attorneys to work with Champaign Public Middle Schools once again this year. Through the CRFC Champaign Lawyers in the Classroom program (LIC) you can bring your real-life legal experiences into 8th grade classrooms, serve as a positive adult role model, and expose middle school students to a career in the field of law. Training Program: Tuesday, Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Partner Classroom Visits Friday, Oct. 22; Friday, Nov. 5; Friday, Nov. 19
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July 16, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_13177" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Donna Schechter (with her husband Gary at right) has retired after 28 years in the ISBA's Legal Department."][/caption] Donna Schechter, the Illinois State Bar Association's longtime Assistant to Counsel in the Legal Department, has retired after 28 years. Donna joined ISBA in September 1982 and was instrumental over the years in nurturing the ISBA High School Mock Trial Program, as well as other Association programs. She worked closely with the ISBA Standing Committee on Law-Related Education for the Public. Thanks Donna, for all those years of wonderful service to the Association.
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July 15, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_13156" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA Immediate Past President John O’Brien presents a Board of Governors Award to Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald as ISBA President-elect John Locallo (left) and ISBA 3rd Vice President Paula Holderman look on."][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association presented a Board of Governors Award on Thursday to Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald at the Chief Justice's Chicago chambers. ISBA Immediate Past President John O'Brien made the presentation along with ISBA President-elect John Locallo and ISBA 3rd Vice President Paula Holderman. "I have always felt a real connection to the Illinois State Bar Association," Chief Justice Fitzgerald said. "This only helps confirm that." The Board of Governors Award is for the purpose of recognizing lawyers for exemplary service to the profession and/or the Association and for recognizing nonlawyers for especially meritorious deeds or service that significantly advance the administration of justice or the goals of the profession or the Association. Chief Justice Fitzgerald was also presented with a complete, four-volume set of hardcover books, The Papers of Abraham Lincoln. The set has been purchased for all 102 Illinois counties to help commemorate the Illinois Bicentennial celebration of Lincoln's birth.
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July 13, 2010 |
ISBA News | Member Services
The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of June 2010, ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in the following areas:
- Administrative Law - 4
- Animal Law - 2
- Bankruptcy - 12
- Business Law - 14
- Civil Disputes - 69
- Civil Rights - 24
- Collection - 22
- Consumer Protection - 17
- Contracts - 9
- Criminal Law - 69
- Education Law -10
- Elder law - 3
- Employment Law - 65
- Estate/Probate Law - 26
- Family - 139
- Government Benefits - 23
- Health Law - 6
- Immigration - 8
- Insurance Disputes - 4
- Intellectual Property -3
- Miscellaneous - 6
- Municipal Law - 13
- Personal Injury - 85
- Real Estate - 50
- Social Security - 13
- Tax - 5
- Workers Compensation - 6
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July 12, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_13007" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The ISBA Sunday Runners include: front row (left to right): Leonard Amari, Julia Beien, Fran LeBrasca, Donna Amari, Lupe Cerrillo, Roberta Conwell and Norden Gilbert; back row: Jack LaBrasca, Bob Downs, John Locallo, Samuel Levine, Marvin T. Keeling, Leonard DeFranco and Anthony Fornelli."][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association Sunday Runners will be participating in the upcoming Race Judicata on Thursday, July 22. The Runners are encouraging other ISBA members to join them at the race, which benefits the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation. ISBA members interested in joining the group at Race Judicata should contact Roberta C. Conwell at (708) 349-0161 or via email at rconwell1@comcast.net The runners (and walkers) meet before 8 a.m. each Saturday at the harbor boaters’ north parking lot, just south of the Addison Street-Lake Shore Drive totem pole. Lake Shore Drive access from the north is via the Irving Park Road exit. From the south, use the Recreation Drive exit north of Belmont. All able bodies are invited. The group has one rule: If you come, you come. No RSVP is needed.
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July 7, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12960" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Patt Rexroad (second from left) with co-workers from the ISBA's Administrative Services Department."][/caption] Today marked the final day in the long and illustrious career of Patt Rexroad, Illinois State Bar Association Assistant to the Director of Administrative Services/Administration. Patt is retiring after 27 years of dedicated service. Patt's sections and committees toasted her at the recent Annual Meeting in St. Louis - and today the rest of the Association does the same. Thanks Patt.
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July 2, 2010 |
Events | ISBA News
The Illinois State Bar Association had its mobile billboard in the lineup of Sunday's Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade – one of more than 200 entries. Toby Eveland, of ISBA’s SOGI section, organized a group of lawyers and law students to march alongside the ISBA entry. Other SOGI members present included Mike Goldberg and Joannie Rae Wimmer. The parade entry was a collaborative effort between the ISBA, CBA, and LAGBAC (the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago). Additionally, members of Northwestern University's law school group, OUTLaw, marched with the float.
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June 29, 2010 |
ISBA News
Editor's note: It is tradition that longtime ISBA member John W. Damisch (John the Farmer) provide his personal recap from annual meetings. Here’s his colorful take on last weekend’s 2010 Annual Meeting (click here to read his take on last year's Annual Meeting): This year I was not going to give a critique of the ISBA Annual meeting ... but some people asked for it so this is only my personal reading. Outside it was hot, hot, hot ... inside cool, cool, cool. George Mahoney and John O'Brien were dressed like peacocks in their best ... gorgeous clothes and frequent changes! Mark Hassakis had the best bow tie for the annual dinner. Travel to St. L. was by American Airlines (price was $219 r.t.) plus the monorail from STL to the Hyatt Hotel ($1.75 each way). Judge Terry Brady and Paula Holderman on the plane going to - and Judge Alex White on the return. Rooms were spacious ... good view of the Mississippi River, bridge and the Casino Queen sitting near the bridge. Opening reception sponsored by ISBA Mutual had delicious groceries ... meat, piles of shrimp, Asian, Mexican, American, and an open bar. (only saw one person that was over served) couple hundred friends and new friends. The biggies (Mark H, officers, Board members etc) ... went out on a bus out for dinner. At 9:30 p.m there was a reception for Mark H. on the roof of the hotel, overlooking the Arch, and under full moon, more extensive groceries and full bar.
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June 28, 2010 |
Events | ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12730" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier swears in Mark D. Hassakis as the ISBA's 134th President."][/caption] Mt. Vernon attorney Mark D. Hassakis was sworn in as the new Illinois State Bar Association President on Friday night at the Annual Meeting in St. Louis. Hassakis, the first Greek American president of the ISBA, joined his father’s firm after receiving his J.D. in 1976. The firm now concentrates in all types of injury and wrongful death cases, both work and non-work related. In addition, the firm represents clients at administrative hearings before the Secretary of State for driving relief in DUI and other excessive violation cases. Hassakis’ guiding theme for his 2010-2011 term will be “Lawyers Care,” demonstrating his pride in the profession and the extraordinary efforts lawyers make every day to go above and beyond in their service to their communities and the profession. He will spotlight examples of the beneficial role lawyers voluntarily undertake to help shape a brighter future for our state and its citizens. "ISBA lawyers and the heart of the ISBA, the Illinois Bar Foundation, will spotlight our lawyer and judge members giving well beyond the great professional work they do, highlighting the extraordinary effort being made in the communities in which we live," Hassakis said.
