2009 legislative summaryBy James W. ChipmanSeptember 2009The following is a summary of some of the more controversial bills affecting government lawyers that were considered by the General Assembly in the 2009 spring session.
Attorney General issues opinionsBy Lynn PattonSeptember 2009The following is a summary of official opinion Nos. 09-001 through 09-002 and informal opinions Nos. I-09-001 through I-09-011 that may be of interest to the government bar.
Attorney General issues opinionsBy Lynn PattonJune 2009A summary of official opinion Nos. 08-001 through 08-004 and informal opinions I-08-023 through I-08-030 that may be of interest to the government bar.
Committee on Government Lawyers presents ethics extravaganza!June 2009The ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers has a worthwhile and lofty goal ... a goal of making ethics seminars for government lawyers informative, fun, and interesting.
Essay: Law in a time of cholera*By Mary L. MilanoDecember 2009There was an incredible sense of giddiness in our office a week or two ago. In at least some quarters, one could say it was reminiscent of what most of us recall at the end of the bar exam or getting that first job offer.
Extra work is extra workBy Raymond A. FylstraDecember 2009On August 17, 2009, Governor Pat Quinn signed one of the most sweeping revisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1) (the “Act”) since it was adopted in 1983.
From the ChairBy Lisle A. StalterDecember 2009It is hard to believe it is already fall and that a new issue of the newsletter is in the works. It has been a busy couple of months for the Committee on Government Lawyers. The Rules of Professional Conduct Program is set for December 10th. If you have not already registered, now is the time. Take advantage of the special $30 pricing and earn two hours of Professionalism credit.
From the ChairBy Lisle A. StalterSeptember 2009On July 1, 2009, the Illinois Supreme Court entered an order that repeals the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct effective January 1, 2010, and replaces them with the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 2010.
In-SitesBy Kevin LovelletteDecember 2009From time to time, the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions makes changes to the Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions for both civil and criminal cases, or the Committee may amend or update the Comments section on certain instructions.
In-SitesApril 2009A variety of useful links, from tax changes to gardening to Illinois history to waterparks.
It’s okay to expunge things….reallyBy Kathleen deGrasse & Wil NagelJune 2009This article will provide a working definition of “record of arrest” and set forth the procedures Illinois criminal justice agencies should take when they are served with a petition for and order of expungement.
Judge Wayne Andersen shares practice tips with government attorneysBy Kevin LovelletteJune 2009On December 2, 2008, the Office of the Attorney General was honored to have the Honorable Wayne Andersen of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois speak as part of the Office’s Distinguished Speakers Program.
Law school student loan forgiveness updateBy Colleen MorganDecember 2009On August 25, 2009, Governor Quinn signed the Public Interest Attorney Assistance Act which provides loan repayment assistance to “public interest attorneys.” See Public Act 96-615, effective January 1, 2010. The Act allows for loan assistance of a maximum of $6,000 per year, up to a career maximum of $30,000 in qualified loan forgiveness.
News you can use…By Patricia M. FallonJune 2009Have you heard about FASTCASE? It is the ISBA’s FREE online legal research service which is available to all ISBA members and included in the cost of your membership. It is an unbelievably cost-effective alternative to Westlaw and/or Lexis.
Parolee search: Is hindsight reasonable?By Adam W. GhristJune 2009On February 7, 2008, the Illinois Supreme Court decided People v. Wilson, upholding suspicionless searches of parolees by law enforcement officers
Public sector discipline: September 2009 Term of the Supreme CourtBy Rosalyn B. KaplanDecember 2009In re Gable, Commission No. 08 CH 67, S. Ct. No. M.R. 23234 (September 22, 2009). Jarrett Ward Gable was an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County during the misconduct in question. On May 28, 2006, he was arrested at a music festival in Peoria and was charged with two counts of possession of psilocybin, a controlled substance that acts as a hallucinogen.
