Out of State

Chicago area

• Daughter of General Growth founder sues company's law firm, Chicago Business
• "The Maven" to round out Blago legal squad, Chicago Sun-Times
• Man sues female boss for sexual harassment, Chicago Tribune
• Dolphins blamed in suit against Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Tribune
• Lou Piniella escapes with warning for jaywalking, Chicago Tribune
• Trial date set for Ald.

Even during a three-year, round-the-clock renovation soon to be under way, the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, home of the nation's third largest federal district court, will remain open with normal hours for courts and government offices, the U.S. General Services Administration announced today. The phased construction, which begins in September, will be keyed to keeping the 30-story building open, along with its 57 courtrooms and 11 federal government offices. The renovation's major focus will be the replacement of the building's nearly 50-year-old heating and ventilation, fire alarm and lighting systems. Most work will be done at night and on weekends to limit disruptions. "The modernization of this architectural landmark designed by Mies van der Rohe exemplifies GSA's commitment to sustainable design," said GSA Acting Regional Administrator J. David Hood. "By making our public buildings higher-performing and more energy-efficient we maximize their value to the taxpayer. And with the benefits of new technology, we are renewing the future of this courthouse by building upon the creative energies that produced it and the stewardship that has preserved it." The building's largest tenant is the U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois with 40 judges and more than 400 employees. The courthouse is also the seat of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Northern Illinois. Other tenants include the U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Trustees. Chief Judge James F. Holderman of the U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois acknowledged that the project will cause some disruption and inconvenience. He said, however, "We of the United States District Court, as tenants, look forward to working cooperatively with GSA to keep the disruption to a minimum and the courts running smoothly as GSA completes these necessary renovations."

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ISBA members and member firms have been eagerly signing up for the ISBA's Member MarkSM and Member Firm MarkSM program.  We've now almost reached our "500" participant milestone! Sign up today -- our 500th member or member firm to do so will be profiled on Illinois Lawyer Now! Click here to learn more and join Member Mark.

For the first time, The John Marshall Law School will host the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals for a Sept. 1 hearing in the case United States v. Alston. The 3:30 p.m. hearing in the law school's Baim Courtroom, is open to the public. The Army Court of Appeals routinely hears two cases each year at law schools outside of the Washington, D.C., area. This case is being held at John Marshall at the invitation of Lt. Col. Gene Baime, an associate judge on the three-judge appellate panel, who is an alumnus of the law school. The court is reviewing a sexual assault conviction. On May 30, 2008, an enlisted panel sitting as a general court-martial jury at Fort Riley, Kansas, convicted Specialist John Alston of aggravated sexual assault in violation of Article 120, Uniform Code of Military Justice.  Originally charged with rape, Alston was convicted of the lesser included offense of aggravated sexual assault. The court-martial sentenced Alston to reduction to the grade of private, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, confinement for 181 days, and separation from the service with a bad-conduct discharge. The case was automatically appealed to the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals.