Application of discovery rules to requests to admitBy Kevin LovelletteJune 2012One issue that has recently seen increased litigation is whether Requests to Admit are discovery devices subject to the requirements of discovery rules and orders of court.
Comments from the ChairBy Sharon L. EisemanOctober 2012A message from Committee Chair Sharon Eiseman.
Condemnation actions—In rem or quasi in rem?By Marylou Lowder KentDecember 2012The recent case of Village of Algonquin v. Lowe seems to indicate that if a condemning authority knew or should have known that a party had an unrecorded interest in the property, service by publication may not be sufficient and any judgment rendered in the condemnation action would not be binding on any party not properly before the court.
Don’t!By Hon. Michael B. HymanOctober 2012Author and Judge Michael Hyman provides his list of DOs and DONTs that apply equally to proceedings in court and everyday life at the office.
Final regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act are now availableBy Eileen M. GearyJanuary 2012The new regulations follow the ADAAA’s directive that mitigating measures not be considered in determining whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity. Mitigating measures can eliminate or reduce the symptoms or impact of an impairment, and can include medication, prosthetics, and assistive technology.
ISBA President challenges Illinois lawyers to fight hungerOctober 2012ISBA President John Thies invites all law firms and legal organizations statewide to participate in a food and fundraising drive during the final two weeks in February 2013.
Military-related FMLA provisionsBy Paul ThompsonDecember 2012Within the FMLA provisions are benefits framed specifically for members of the armed forces in order for family members: (i) to care for a seriously injured or ill service-member; and (ii) to assist with the civil affairs of a mobilizing, deployed or returning service-member. While the policy intent of the first rationale is readily apparent to enable an immediate relative to care for the returning veteran who is injured or ill, the second rationale’s underpinnings in civil relief may not be as easily intuitive.
Public employees and free speechBy Matthew FedaJanuary 2012An overview of the history and current trends in the law regarding public employee free speech, as well as practical advice for bringing a claim.
A quick guide to the DNA database law in Illinois and the 2012 updatesBy Paul R. VellaJune 2012Pursuant to 730 ILCS 5/5-4-3, a person convicted of, found guilty of, or who received a disposition of court supervision for, a qualifying offense or attempt of a qualifying offense shall be required to submit a specimen of blood, saliva, or tissue to the Illinois Department of State Police.
Someone you should know: Patrick Blanchard, Independent Inspector General for Cook CountyBy Sharon L. EisemanOctober 2012We have chosen to feature IIG Blanchard in this issue of The Public Servant so we might learn what made him aspire to be the first lawyer serving in such an important role and how this relatively new office and officer are faring since the position was created only four years ago.
Updating eavesdropping: ACLU v. Alvarez and potential legislationBy Jordan M. Kielian & David J. SilvermanOctober 2012ACLU v. Alvarez changed the landscape of the eavesdropping law in Illinois. Prosecutors can no longer enforce the law against people who openly record police officers performing their duties in public.
