The bar admission ceremonies for the 1,572 new attorneys who passed the July 2026 Bar Exam will be held on Wednesday, November 4, in all five judicial districts of Illinois.
The First Judicial District ceremonies will be held in Chicago at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., Justice Joy V. Cunningham, and Justice Sanjay T. Tailor swearing in candidates.
The Second Judicial District ceremony will be held in Elgin at 10 a.m. with Justice Elizabeth Rochford swearing in candidates.
ISBA members, sign up to receive The Bar News' biweekly e-newsletter by emailing emailpreferences@isba.org
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November 3, 2026 | Practice News
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November 2, 2026 |
Member Services | ISBA News
The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of October, 2026, the ISBA helped 1,322 people in need of legal services find lawyers.
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November 2, 2026 | Practice NewsJustice David K. Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Associate Judge David W. Lewis as a Resident Circuit Judge for Clark County in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Judge Lewis is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Clark County Circuit Judge Tracy Resch, who announced that he will not be seeking retention in this November’s election and will retire at the end of his current term after 36 years on the bench. The appointment of Judge Lewis is effective December 7, 2026, and will conclude on December 4, 2028.
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November 2, 2026 | Practice NewsJustice Elizabeth M. Rochford of the Supreme Court of Illinois seeks public comment on the applicants for a Circuit Judge vacancy in the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit for Kendall County. The vacancy was created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Robert P. Pilmer on November 30, 2026. Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by Supreme Court appointment. Applicants being considered for appointment to the judgeship are:
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November 2, 2026 | People
John William Damisch, distinguished attorney, public servant, and lifelong Illinois farmer, passed away on October 26, 2026, at the age of 100. Born on March 10, 1926, to Marcus William Damisch and Edna Emma (Hannah) Damisch, John was one of five children raised on the family's dairy farm in Kane County. His ancestors settled the family farm in 1837. Educated in a one-room country schoolhouse, he built a life defined by perseverance, integrity, and service. He was part of the Greatest Generation. -
November 2, 2026 | Practice News
The Illinois Bar Journal's November cover story is devoted to unpacking, "The Weight of Practice: A Landmark Study on Illinois Lawyers’ Mental Health, Substance Use and Gambling,” administered and just released by the Illinois Lawyers' Assistance Program. The survey is the first of its kind in Illinois, to which 6,778 licensed attorneys responded. The bottom line: Illinois attorneys are experiencing significant, widespread challenges with mental health, substance overuse, and gambling, along with vicarious trauma, workplace stress, and suicidal ideation. -
October 30, 2026 | CLE
The Right to Choose or the Duty to Protect: A Debate on Deb’s Law -
October 30, 2026 | Practice NewsThe Illinois Supreme Court announced today the assignment of Cook County Circuit Court Judge Judith C. Rice to the First District Appellate Court. Judge Rice is being assigned to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice LeRoy K. Martin, Jr. The assignment is effective November 6, 2026, until December 7, 2026. Judge Rice is running unopposed in the November 2026 election.
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October 30, 2026 | Practice News
Leading appellate attorney reviews the Illinois Supreme Court opinion handed down Thursday, October 29. -
October 29, 2026 |
Practice News
By: Karen Alice Kloppe October was Residents’ Rights Month. This annual observance event was created by The Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care to direct focus on the needs of individuals living in long-term care facilities and those receiving in-home and community-based care at home. Common Legal Issues