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Michael J. Tardy, director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced his retirement effective August 1, 2017, following a sterling 40-plus year career with the Judicial Branch. Tardy was named acting director in September 2011 and was officially appointed as director in January 2012.

"Throughout his long career, Mike has been an invaluable asset to the Supreme Court. An innovative administrator, a gifted leader, and a skillful diplomat, Mike has helped steer the Third Branch of Illinois government through some of its most difficult challenges. During a period of budgetary uncertainty, social change and rapid technological innovation, Mike has been instrumental in insuring that the judicial system remains available to all who need its protections," said Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier. "He has overseen the implementation of statewide electronic filing and the introduction of new measures to improve pretrial release practices. He has helped place Illinois at the forefront of initiatives to improve access to justice, and his contributions have been critical to our implementation of new measures to insure that Illinois judges receive the best possible training and education."

Director Tardy served in both clinical and administrative positions within the Illinois judicial branch for the past 41 years. He initially worked for the Circuit Court of Cook County Social Service Department, a court agency charged with providing community-based supervision for adult misdemeanor and DUI offenders in Cook County. In his 13 years with the Cook County department, he started as a case worker and worked his way to district supervisor, managing three offices and a staff of 40.

Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP (“SFGH”) announced Monday that Jeffrey D. Shelley has joined the firm as counsel in its Chicago office.

Jeff focuses his practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable planning, tax matters, business transactions, and intellectual property. His scientific, tax, and business background gives him unique insights when providing individuals, entrepreneurs, business owners, and family offices with personal and business solutions.

Before joining SFGH, Jeff was the principal estate planning attorney at another law firm, where he also worked on business and intellectual property matters. Prior to entering private legal practice, Jeff worked as a Big Four professional services firm consultant, where he advocated for clients in complex business tax credit matters. He has also prepared patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Before practicing law, Jeff gained extensive business experience as a research scientist for a Fortune 500 company that manufactures and markets consumer and health care products worldwide. During his career there, he developed and launched next-generation products and manufacturing processes and was granted several product and process patents. Jeff has been named as an inventor in multiple utility patents.

John J. O'Malley passed away suddenly and is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Cynthia (nee Salazar). Loving father to Jonathan, Mark, Jennifer Daly, & Joseph Daly; loving Papa to his "Honey Bunnies," Abigail Farias and Madelyn Daly; preceded in death by his devoted parents, Austin and Rosetta (nee Rich); beloved brother of Mark, Patrick (Donna), and the late Michael (Mary); fond brother-in-law to Victoria (David ) Mackowiak, late Robert, Michael and Manuel Salazar; cherished nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

John was a long time criminal defense attorney in Cook County and was generous with his time and expertise to help those in need of counsel. He will be missed by all.  Visitation Wednesday, May 3rd at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 653 W. 37th Street, Chicago, from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm Mass of Christian burial. INT. St. Mary Cemetery. (773)927-6424. www.pomierskifuneralhome.com

An oil portrait of Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier was unveiled on Tuesday, May 16, at the historic Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield. The painting hangs in the second floor hallway with the portraits of nine other chief justices, with additional portraits hanging in Chicago's Bilandic Building. The painting was done by artist Greg McNair of St. Louis. Chief Justices in Illinois are selected by their colleagues on the Supreme Court bench in a rotational pattern and serve for three years as the administrative head of the judicial branch. Chief Justice Karmeier's granddaughter, Emily Schnitker, performed the unveiling. She was on a Springfield visit with her 7th and 8th grade class from Trinity Lutheran School in Hoyleton. The class also heard the day's third oral argument, People v. Byron Boykins

Among those attending from Washington County were Circuit Judge Daniel Emge, Circuit Clerk Cynthia Barczewski and Court Reporter Brenda Engele along with Chief Justice Karmeier's wife, Mary, daughter, Karianne Schnitker and office staff.