Illinois Bar Journal

Illinois Bar Journal | October 2025 Table of Contents

October 2025 • Volume 113 • Number 10

Practice News

12
LawPulse | By Amelia Buragas
16
Illinois Law Update

Special prosecutor can’t be removed for an apparent conflict of interest; child support and civil contempt; specific showing needed to disclose victim’s counseling records; co-owner of dog liable for bite injury even though not present on walk; arbitration proceedings and class action waivers; translation services expanded for administrative hearings; tracing seized firearms; and more.

See cases, legislation, and administrative agencies.

Articles

20
Freedom of Information Act | By Ed Finkel
Demystifying Public Records

A preview of the ISBA’s four-part continuing legal education series on the Freedom of Information Act.

12
Pretrial Fairness Act | From the Newsletters
Facing Time

In People v. Cooper, the Illinois Supreme Court clarifies detention hearing timelines under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

28
Judges & Judiciary | By Robert S. Held
Civil & Criminal Contempt

Knowing the difference between civil and criminal contempt can help even the experienced practitioner.

28
Trusts & Estates | By Katie Clancy
The Special Needs Client

Recognizing and embracing special-needs planning issues with confidence and empathy.

36
Family Law | By Jeffrey Friedman
Home and Away

The stateless child in the post-Monasky landscape.

Columns

8
President’s Page | By Bridget C. Duignan
A Midnight Ride in Boston

How Paul Revere might inspire Illinois attorneys and judges.

10
President-Elect Message | By Perry J. Browder
Ready to Lead?

Ready to Lead? Nominate Yourself for an ISBA Committee or Section Council

38
Diversity Spotlight | By John W. Moore
Pronouns in the Courts

While some high courts have recently enacted pronoun policies, the practice of abiding by an individual’s preferred honorific is nothing new.

42
Pointers From Practice HQ | By Jeffrey S. Krause
Document Management Tipping Points

How to know when you need a document management system.

44
Your Life's Work | By Karen Erger
The Things We Leave Behind

One person’s clutter may be a little bit of another person’s soul.

48
Ethics | By Charles J. Northrup
You Are Excused

The American Bar Association issues guidance on the ethical use of peremptory challenges … and more.

50
Illinois Bar Foundation | By Lauren N. Tuckey
Leading in Access to Justice

The Illinois Bar Foundation prepares for its Annual Gala this month.