ISBA News

Times are tough. To paraphrase the great philosopher Pogo, the legal profession is confronted with insurmountable opportunities. Now is a great time for all ISBA members to take on some Pro Bono work. If you can't afford to donate the time, consider donating money instead. There is no better time to start because this is National Pro Bono Celebration Week. The ISBA Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services has a wonderful website where you can learn more - http://www.isba.org/probono/. I encourage you to help the Bar of Illinois do even more for the citizens of the state. Sincerely, John O'Brien ISBA President

[caption id="attachment_4902" align="alignright" width="292" caption="ISBA Board member and candidate for Third Vice President Paula Holderman, ISBA President John O'Brien and Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission Chairman Jerold Solovy at the Board of Governors meeting on Oct. 16."][/caption] Jerold Solovy, a 54-year member of the ISBA and the Chairman of the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, appeared before the ISBA Board of Governors last week to thank the Board for its support of the historic preservation committee. Solovy is also the Chairman Emeritus of Chicago firm Jenner & Block. The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission was created by the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Act in 2007. Under the Act: "The Commission shall assist and advise the Court in regard to the acquisition, collection, documentation, preservation, cataloging, and related matters with respect to historic aspects of buildings, objects, artifacts, documents, and information, regardless of form, relating to the Illinois judiciary.

[caption id="attachment_4669" align="alignright" width="300" caption="IBF Board Member Richard Zuckerman of Peoria presents a $5,000 grant to Martha Herm, Executive Director of the Center For Prevention of Abuse and Nancy Wright, President of its Board of Directors."][/caption] The Illinois Bar Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce a $5,000 grant to The Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria, one of 32 grants awarded this year totaling $304,965. The Center for the Prevention of Abuse is the only agency in the state of Illinois to provide combined services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. The Center provides a range of comprehensive programming which includes court advocacy, emergency shelter and transitional housing, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, advocacy, therapy, education and other support services. The $5,000 grant was made to support the salary of a part time court advocate at the Tazewell County Courthouse. The Court Advocacy program assists clients seeking legal recourse under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act by petitioning the court for an Order of Protection.

[caption id="attachment_4684" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President John O'Brien is asked about mortgage foreclosure issues and lawyers' public service activities before he presented the Lincoln Media Awards on Oct. 9 in Peoria."][/caption] The Peoria Journal Star, the Kane County Chronicle and three other newspapers received the 2nd annual Abraham Lincoln Media Award from the Illinois State Bar Association at a ceremony at the Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria, on Friday, October 9. The Champaign News-Gazette, the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake and the Aurora Beacon-News also received the award. The ISBA presentation took place during the Illinois Press Association's annual Illinois Excellence in News & Editorial Contest awards luncheon. ISBA President John G. O'Brien presented the award to the Journal Star for its front page series, "Legal actions against enemy combatant," written by Andy Kravetz. "The ISBA media award recognizes media outlets and/or individual members of the media who have been exemplary in helping foster the public's understanding of the law and the legal system," said O'Brien.  "The Journal Star series clearly deserves this recognition."