Illinois Bar Journal

Illinois Bar Journal | November 2026 Table of Contents

November 2026 • Volume 114 • Number 11

Practice News

12
LawPulse | By Amelia Buragas
16
Illinois Law Update

Requiring family medical history on workers’ compensation forms does not waive state sovereign immunity for potential violations of the Genetic Information Privacy Act; parent must petition under substantial change standard to modify custodial designation for school purposes; park district subject to labor board jurisdiction even with defective regulatory service; new laws for landlord-fee disclosure; caps on prison charges; and more.

See cases, legislation, and administrative agencies.

Articles

22
Well-Being | By Ed Finkel
Illinois Attorneys and “The Weight of Practice”

A new report from the Lawyers’ Assistance Program shines a troubling spotlight on mental health, substance use, gambling, and workplace stress.

14
Labor & Employment Law | From the Newsletters
Disproportionately Neutral

Disparate-impact theory for employers codified into new Illinois law effective Jan. 1, 2027.

30
Construction Law | By Adam Whiteman
Building Your Damages

Proving up the cost of repair and the diminution in value when seeking an award in a residential construction-defects case.

36
Real Estate Law | By Scott Pyles
Taking the Fifth on Tax Takings

Tyler v. Hennepin County and the recent amendments to the Illinois Property Tax Code.

42
Mental Health Law | By Joseph Feldman and Mark DeBofsky
Mental Health Parity

Alternatives to enforcing patient rights to mental health care through private insurance.

Columns

8
President-Elect Message | By Sarah E. Toney
Ready to Lead?

Nominate yourself for an ISBA committee or section council.

10
President’s Page | By Perry J. Browder
Helping Your Bottom Line

New ISBA member benefits will help you save on expenses and increase revenue.

48
Pointers From Practice HQ | By Jeffrey S. Krause and Jeffrey R. Schoenberger
Holiday Gift Guide 2026

A curated list of holiday gift ideas for lawyers from lawyers.

50
LAP and Well-Being | By Dr. Diana Uchiyama
The Elephants in the Room

What is the true state of the legal community in Illinois, and can we remediate the problems?

52
Judging Your Writing | By Justice Michael B. Hyman
Bad Facts: Handle With Candor

Confront adverse facts head-on instead of burying, obfuscating, or running from them.