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Northern Illinois

  • January 3, 2017 | People
    Louis James Perona 1928-2016

    Louis James Perona, age 88, of Spring Valley, Illinois, passed away on November 17, 2016.

    Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, November 21, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church (St. Anthony building on Mautino Drive). Rev. Robert Spilman and Abbot Philip Davey will officiate. Burial will follow at Valley Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday, November 20, at the church, as well as one hour before funeral services Monday, at the church. The Barto Funeral Home, Spring Valley, is assisting the family.

  • December 19, 2016 | Practice News
    Justice Kilbride announces upcoming vacancy in Twelfth Judicial Circuit

    Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride has announced an application process for appointment to an at large circuit judge vacancy in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.

    The vacancy will be created by Circuit Judge Daniel J. Rozak's retirement, effective at noon on January 16, 2017. The term of office is until December 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the November 2018 election.

  • December 6, 2016 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court appoints Joyce as circuit judge in Fourteenth Judicial Circuit

    Justice Thomas L. Kilbride and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Trish Joyce as a Resident Circuit Judge in Whiteside County in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.

    Ms. Joyce was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. John L. Hauptman on December 5, 2016. Her appointment is effective December 21, 2016, and will conclude on December 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.

    Justice Kilbride recommended Ms. Joyce's appointment to the Supreme Court after an extensive application, evaluation and interview process that included the formation of a special judicial screening committee.

  • November 22, 2016 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court certifies 3 new problem-solving courts

    The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the certification of three new problem-solving courts in Kendall, Peoria and Tazewell counties. These problem-solving courts – the Kendall County Drug Court, the Peoria DUI Court and the Tazewell County Mental Health Court – are the first to go through the Supreme Court's application and certification process. The more than 100 problem-solving courts already in operation will also go through the process.

    In November 2015, the Supreme Court adopted statewide Standards to bring uniformity, accountability and administrative oversight to problem-solving courts in Illinois.

    Also known as specialty or therapeutic courts, problem-solving courts provide an alternative forum for certain individuals in the criminal justice system, such as those with mental illness or substance abuse disorders. Problem-solving courts utilize a collaborative, therapeutic approach with justice professionals partnering with community treatment providers to address an individual's underlying behavioral health issues.

  • November 18, 2016 | Practice News
    Metropolitan Airport Authority seeking legal services
    Introduction

    Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County Illinois, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, is located in Moline, Illinois. Its staff consists of approximately 80 regular full-time and part-time employees of the Authority and its wholly owned subsidiary, QCIA Airport Services, L.L.C.  Additional seasonal workers are employed during the summer and winter months. There is one bargaining unit representing public safety and non-public safety employees. Further information about the Authority’s government can be found at http://www.qcairport.com.

    The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to obtain proposals from qualified law firms to provide employment and labor relations legal services for the Authority. The firm must have substantial experience in the area of employment law, including labor contract negotiation experience with public sector entities in Illinois.

  • November 10, 2016 | People
    Murphy joins Crystal Lake law firm

    The McHenry County law firm of Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC, located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, is pleased to announce the hiring of Associate Attorney Michael J. Murphy. Prior to joining Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC, Murphy served as the owner and principal attorney of his own law firm for over 10 years. He concentrates his legal practice in the areas of residential and commercial real estate, estate planning, and business development.

    Murphy graduated Magna Cum Laude from DePaul University, where he obtained his B.A. in International Studies. He went on to obtain his J.D. from liT Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he was a recipient of the CALI Award for Legal Drafting.

  • November 8, 2016 | Practice News
    1,374 new attorneys admitted to practice in Illinois

    Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court administered the attorney’s oath to 1,374 new attorneys on Thursday, November 10, at five separate locations across the state.

    The largest group, 1,121, was admitted in the First Judicial District during two ceremonies at Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. The ceremonies were at 9:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. 

    All of the candidates sworn in have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and a required ethics examination and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. They bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 96,300.

    1 comment (Most recent November 11, 2016)
  • October 25, 2016 | People
    Edward Alan Light 1953-2016

    Edward Alan Light, 63, of Rockford passed away October 9, 2016, after a brief illness. He was born June 28, 1953, to Dr. David and Leona Light in St. Louis, Missouri.

    Ed was a trial lawyer of thirty-five years for the Winnebago County Public Defenders' Office and was a member of the Winnebago Bar Association and of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He graduated from the SIU College of Law in 1980, and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005. Ed was recognized by his peers and received the Bruce Robert Jacob Award presented by the Illinois Public Defender Association.

  • October 25, 2016 | People
    Harvey A. Meyers 1934-2016

    Harvey A. Meyers, 82, of Marengo, local attorney and business leader, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, at Centegra Hospital Huntley.

    Born in Elgin on July 21, 1934, Harvey was the son of the late Harvey F. and Marie (nee Eschbach) Meyers. He was a graduate of Marengo Community High School, a United States Army veteran, and a graduate of Northern Illinois University and Chicago-Kent College of Law.

    Harvey married the love of his life, Patricia Novak, on January 20, 1962, in Chicago.

  • October 24, 2016 | Practice News
    Winnebago County Public Defender position open

    The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court is accepting applications for the position of Winnebago County Public Defender. This position shall become vacant upon the retirement of the current Public Defender on December 31, 2016.


    SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
    The duties of the Public Defender are established by statute, (55 ILCS 5/3-4006). The Winnebago County Public Defender’s Office is appointed by the Court to represent indigent clients in felony, misdemeanor, traffic, juvenile delinquency and juvenile abuse / neglect cases. The Office is also involved in representation of adults and juveniles in connection with the Winnebago County Problem-Solving Courts.