Illinois State Bar Association | Illinois Judges Association
December 10 – 11, 2026
Renaissance Chicago Downtown
1 West Wacker Drive, Chicago (map & directions)
Thursday, December 10
Illinois Bar Foundation Board Meeting
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:00 p.m. Meeting
Member Appreciation Reception featuring Deal Me In! ISBA Casino Night
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Reception
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Deal Me In! ISBA Casino Night
One incredible evening. Plenty of ways to play. Are you in?
Get ready for an evening of casino excitement, interactive games, and fun for everyone as the ISBA brings Casino Night to the Joint Midyear Meeting!
First, we'll set the stage! The evening kicks off with our Member Appreciation Reception, included at no additional cost with your Joint Midyear Meeting registration! Enjoy complimentary beverages, including cocktails and mocktails, plus heavy appetizers, and delicious food stations.
Then, it's time to DEAL YOU IN! At 6:30 p.m., the excitement kicks into high gear as we reveal ISBA Casino Night! The tables are set, the dealers are ready, and the fun is just getting started! Try your luck with your colleagues at blackjack, craps, roulette, and more!
Not a high roller? You're still in the game! We've got a few tricks up our sleeves! Enjoy interactive games, activities, and plenty of fun beyond the casino floor. No poker face required!
And we're playing for a purpose! A portion of sponsorship proceeds will benefit the ISBA Young Lawyers Division Children's Assistance Fund.
WANT IN ON THE ACTION? Sponsorship opportunities are available! Jump in the spotlight and help make this an evening to remember.
Don’t forget, the Member Appreciation Reception is complimentary for registered Joint Midyear Meeting attendees!
Friday, December 11
Illinois Bar Foundation Champions Breakfast
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Join the Illinois Bar Foundation at the 2026 Joint Midyear Meeting in Chicago as we honor three esteemed members of our Illinois legal community, Irene Bahr, Honorable Naomi Schuster, and Dan Konicek at our annual Champions Breakfast.
Separate registration is required for the Illinois Bar Foundation Champions Breakfast
Member Services and Benefits Exhibits
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Attendees can speak directly with representatives from our Midyear Meeting sponsors and exhibitors, have their questions answered, and win prizes.
IJA/ISBA Joint CLE Program: The Modern Courtroom: Navigating AI, Efficiency, and Community Well-Being
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association
9:00 – 11:50 a.m.
2.50 hours MCLE credit, including 2.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval)
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from top judicial leaders and a highly regarded psychologist as we examine the modern courtroom and the evolving legal landscape. Attorneys with all levels of practice experience who attend this seminar will learn: the pros and cons of artificial intelligence in the legal practice; the threat of deepfakes in the courtroom; the rising litigation costs stemming from improper AI use by self-represented litigants; how to combat chronic stress, burnout, and isolation accelerated by the virtual law practice; the importance of procedural fairness and judicial time standards; and much more.
Speakers: Hon. Stephen E. Balogh, 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Hon. Michael Chmiel, 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, Hon. Vincent F. Cornelius, 12th Judicial Circuit Court, Hon. Daniel L. Jasica, 19th Judicial Circuit Court, Hon. Elizabeth M. Rochford, Illinois Supreme Court, Hon. Sarah D. Smith, Third Judicial Circuit Court, Dr. Diana Uchiyama, Psychologist, J.D., Psy. D., Executive Director, Illinois Lawyers Assistance Program.
IJA/ISBA Joint CLE Program: Complimentary to registered attendees
IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting Luncheon
12:00 p.m.
Join us for lunch with featured speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Speaker of the House, State of Illinois.
Emanuel “Chris” Welch has been a State Representative from the 7th District of Illinois since 2013. He was elected Speaker of the House in January 2021 after serving on several key committees, including chairman of the Executive Committee. He led efforts to pass historic legislation like the four-year map grant award and the AIM High Scholarship. He also served as co-chair of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Educational Success Transition committee. Welch has been recognized with several significant awards including the prestigious Zeke Giorgi Award from the AFL-CIO and the Friend and Education Award from the Illinois Education Association.
Welch has focused on improving classroom education, creating jobs, helping the most vulnerable, and streamlining government. He has been Chief Sponsor of several pieces of historic legislation including the law bringing cursive writing back to schools, the Historic Illinois Trust Act, the Law-making Illinois a Welcoming State for immigrants, and the Homeless Bill of Rights. He is a leading voice for adding black and brown people to the boards of publicly held corporations after sponsoring landmark legislation that requires Illinois corporations to annually disclose their board composition.
IJA/ISBA Joint Luncheon: $100 per ticket
CLE: Child First Justice – What Is It and What Difference Will It Make?
Presented by the ISBA Child Law Section
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Get the information you need regarding Illinois's newly created Child First Task Force and its transformative approach to juvenile justice. Learn how the state is shifting toward early intervention models rooted deeply in trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and international children's rights, while gaining a better understanding of how this model operates in practice by examining its remarkable success in Northern Ireland (which served as the blueprint for the Illinois legislature). Walk away with insights into the scope, strategic goals, and operational timeline of the task force which begins meeting in the fall of 2026.
Speakers: David Kelly, Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, Chicago, Senator Robert Peters, Illinois State Senator, 13th District, Chicago, Robert Vickery, Director, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, Chicago
CLE Program: Additional registration fee applies to attend this program, see registration form for details.
ISBA Assembly Meeting
3:00 p.m.
The policy-making body of the Association meets to conduct the business of the Association. The Agenda will be posted on the website in advance of the meeting.
Holiday Reception Honoring the Supreme Court of Illinois
6:00 p.m.
The evening will begin with introductions given by ISBA President Perry Browder and CBA President Trisha Rich followed by welcome remarks from the Court then continue with food, refreshments, and entertainment provided by Double Fret featuring vocals by Morgen Hare.
Reception co-hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association and The Chicago Bar Association and sponsored by the Illinois Bar Foundation, Public Interest Law Initiative.
Holiday Reception: $100 per ticket