Presenters at two ISBA CLE programs in March explored whether political divisiveness, social media, the pandemic, and Zoom fatigue have contributed to a decline in civility and professionalism in the legal sector during the past few years, undermining previous gains.

On May 17, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-005, which immediately provided for automatic and mandatory sealing of residential eviction cases filed beginning with the State’s COVID-19 emergency declaration (March 9, 2020) through March 31, 2022, and residential eviction case files that were pending and not sealed as of May 17, 2021. 735 ILCS 5/9-122(a)(b).  

However, unsealing motions can be submitted if the residential eviction case was not in part or wholly related to non-payment of rent during the COVID-19 emergency and economic recovery period (March 9, 2020 – March 31, 2022), and (1) the interests of justice in sealing the court file does not outweigh the public interest in maintaining a public record; (2) the parties to the eviction action do not agree to seal the court file; (3) there was material violation of the terms of the tenancy by the tenant; or (4) the case was not dismissed. 735 ILCS 5/9-122. 

Our panel of leading appellate attorneys reviews the four Illinois Supreme Court opinions handed down Thursday, March 24. 

The Illinois Supreme Court today announced the appointment of Erika Harold as the new Executive Director of the Commission on Professionalism effective April 11, 2022. Ms. Harold succeeds the retiring Jayne Reardon, who has served as Executive Director since 2009.