Illinois Bar Journal

Illinois Bar Journal | May 2026 Table of Contents

May 2026 • Volume 114 • Number 5

Practice News

12
LawPulse | By Amelia Buragas
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Illinois Law Update

Search of wallet after pat-down violates Fourth Amendment; grant of an emergency civil no-contact order sufficient to make a prima facie showing of a sexual offense; a single injury does not lead to benefits from separate sections of the Workers’ Compensation Act; child’s uncorroborated hearsay allegations not sufficient for abuse finding; Workplace Transparency Act and contract provisions; baby food and toxic metals; transfer on death for vehicle titles; and more.

See cases, legislation, and administrative agencies.

Articles

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Artificial Intelligence | By Ed Finkel
The Jury Is Still Out

At all levels, courts weigh the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence in the administration of justice.

14
Real Estate | From the Newsletters
The FinCEN Kerfuffle

A federal district court halts new Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reporting requirements for real estate transactions.

26
Trusts & Estates | By Jay E. Harker
Solving the Gordian Knot: Three Estate-Planning Conundrums for Blended Families

Important but routine estate-planning decisions can be challenging for blended-family clients.

32
Contracts | Uniform Commercial Code | By William G. Beatty
Goods? Services? Both?

How Illinois courts handle “hybrid” transactions involving both goods and services under the Uniform Commercial Code.

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Artificial Intelligence | By Jake A. Leahy
What’s Said to AI May Not Stay in AI

When it comes to using artificial intelligence, lawyers and nonlawyers do not play on an even field.

Columns

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Comments
Not Half Bad

A reader put one of our columnists to the test and came out impressed.

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President’s Page | By Bridget C. Duignan
Membership Has Its Privileges

There never has been a better time to be a member of the ISBA!

44
Pointers From Practice HQ | By Jeffrey R. Schoenberger
From Planning to Progress

Executing and measuring your strategic plan.

46
Judging Your Writing | By Justice Michael B. Hyman
The Power of Page One

Four questions attorneys should answer near the top of every memorandum to a judge.

48
ISBA Reads | By Alfred M. Swanson Jr.
David Davis, Abraham Lincoln’s Favorite Judge

The life of Abraham Lincoln’s close friend and advisor, David Davis, is examined in a new book.

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Your ISBA
2025-2026 ISBA Award Winners

Recognizing outstanding contributions to the practice of law and service to the community.