Illinois National Guard still federalized as President Trump extends order, despite troops sitting idle

Three hundred Illinois National Guard troops remain under Republican President Donald Trump’s control roughly a week after an initial 60-day federal activation order expired, continuing a clash over his unprecedented decision to seize authority over state soldiers who have spent almost their entire time confined to a base in northern Illinois and performing no operational missions.

From: 
Chicago Tribune

LIVE WEB - Workers' Compensation Update - Spring 2026

February 2, 2026
Presented by the ISBA Workers’ Compensation Law Section

Live Webcast
Monday, February 2, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.

5.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention

Don’t miss this opportunity to listen as our speakers explore important workers’ compensation issues that may impact your clients. Labor/employment attorneys, workers’ compensation lawyers, and general practitioners who attend this online seminar will better understand:

  • The surgical options available for client’s with failed back syndrome;
  • The 2025 CMS updates you need to know, as well as what to expect in 2026;
  • The Appellate Court cases from then past year that may impact your next workers’ compensation case;
  • The different types of incivility found throughout the legal profession and the strategies for dealing with them;
  • The vocational rehabilitation and job search issues to be aware of;
  • How liens can impact your injured client; and
  • Much more.

Program Coordinator/Moderator:
Deborah A. Benzing, Law Offices of Lawrence P. Cozzi, Chicago

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Salvaging Failed Back Syndrome
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from an orthopedic spine surgeon as he explains the surgical techniques and options used to address failed back syndrome.
Dr. Tom Stanley, OrthoIllinois, Elgin

10:00 – 10:45 a.m. 2025 & 2026 CMS Updates
This segment discusses the CMS updates from 2025 and what to expect in 2026, as well as the duties of insurance carriers and Workers’ Compensation practitioners.
Mark Long, Ametros, Michigan

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Break

11:00 – 11:45 a.m. Case Law Update
This presentation offers an in-depth look at the Appellate Court cases over the past year that may impact your client and practice.
Kevin T. Veugeler, Healy Scanlon Veugeler Gannon, Chicago

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Civility and Bulling*
Join us for a discussion on the different types of uncivil behavior, the Rules of Professional Conduct guiding civility in our profession, how the ARDC approaches uncivil behavior, and the strategies for dealing with unprofessional behavior.
Rachel C. Miller, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Springfield

12:45 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break

1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Vocational Rehabilitation
Gain a better understanding of vocational rehabilitation and job search issues in a workers’ compensation case with this informative presentation.
Joseph Belmonte, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Vocamotive, Inc., Lombard

2:15 – 3:00 p.m. Credits and Liabilities Balancing the Books at Arbitration
Get the information you need on a variety of liens, how they affect the injured worker, and how to maximize recovery when facing them.
Matthew J. Coleman, Coleman Lynch & Partners, PLLC, Chicago


*Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval



For best practices, before attending the program using ISBA's Zoom platform, please visit our Technical Support page.

Program Information

  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member - $135
      • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
    • Non-Member - $290
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Student Members - Free
    • Special pricing is available for Legal Service Attorneys.
  • If you cannot attend the live web event, a full refund is available, if you cancel your registration up to the start of the live web event on the program page in your “My CLE Account”. 
  • Please Note: MCLE credit is available to registrants only on the day of this live event – and you must attend the entire program to earn MCLE credit. All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event a few days after the program, but credit is NOT available for the recording.

Champaign County associate judge to resign in new year

An associate judge based in the Champaign County Courthouse announced Tuesday that she’ll be resigning in the new year, leaving a “wonderful” experience behind.

From: 
The News-Gazette

Southern Illinois woman charged in judge's death faces January pre-trial hearing

A 45-year-old woman who faces murder charges in connection to a judge's death in southern Illinois, now has a pre-trial hearing scheduled.

From: 
WSIL

Illinois law protects immigrants from arrest near courthouses, hospitals or colleges

Immigrants living in Illinois, among the states hit hardest by the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, are now shielded from federal enforcement near courthouses, hospitals, university campuses and day cares under a law Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker signed Tuesday.

From: 
Daily Herald

Federal judge rules Cook County tax sale system unconstitutional

Three years after a group of homeowners and community organizations filed suit claiming the county's tax sale system robbed them of their home equity, a federal judge has ruled the system unconstitutional.

From: 
Belleville News-Democrat

Ignored, misdiagnosed, left to die: Illinois' new prison health care provider has a history of poor care, records show

A Sun-Times review of more than 100 lawsuits against Centurion Health shows a recurring pattern: People in prison repeatedly complain about a health issue, are ignored by correctional and medical staff and their condition worsens to the point of dangerous complications or death.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times