SIU Simmons Law School Increases First-Time Bar Exam Passage Rates

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

CARBONDALE, Ill. — With an evidence-based, individualized and comprehensive approach, Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School is enjoying significant increases in first-time passage rates for recent graduates sitting for bar exams.

In Illinois, 77% of 2025 graduates who took the Illinois State Bar Exam in July for the first time passed on the first attempt, while in Missouri, 86% of SIU graduates who took the test passed the first time. Both results are nearly 15 percentage points higher than first-time test results for 2024 graduates.

ICE has until Tuesday night to remove fence around Broadview facility to meet judge's deadline

Tuesday night is the deadline for ICE to remove a security fence from around their facility in Broadview. A federal judge ruled it must come down by 11:59 p.m.

From: 
ABC 7

Reforms prompt big money appeals in IL biometrics cases

Even as reforms seem to have edged down the number of biometric privacy lawsuits targeted at businesses in Illinois, appeals courts are being tasked with the job of unraveling yet another legal knot surrounding Illinois' controversial and stringent law, with many millions or even billions of dollars at stake.

From: 
Legal Newsline

DuPage County clerk goes to court to get two election vendors paid

Last week, the clerk’s office filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to get two bills — totaling more than $230,000 — paid so the county can plan for the 2026 election.

From: 
Daily Herald

Illinois lawmakers to tackle immigration and budget deficit in veto session

The Illinois General Assembly’s veto session gavels in Tuesday with a massive to-do list and significant questions about whether anything can pass. 

From: 
WGN 9

PPD Chief Echevarria says Illinois’ juvenile detention system is broken

Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria says a broken justice system led to three teenagers with lengthy criminal records being arrested for a shooting on Sunday in South Peoria that left a man critically injured.

From: 
WMBD

5th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today's Lawyers: Science and Technology's Rapidly Evolving Impact on the Law - Part 2

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!

5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today’s Lawyers –
Science and Technology’s Rapidly Evolving Impact on the Law – Part 2
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 3.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 9, 2025 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this two part series from ISBA’s 5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar, as we take an in-depth look at how inventions and advancements in science and technology create opportunities for lawyers to represent innovators, as well as those clients who are disrupted by the innovation (including the legal profession). The program takes place at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum located on the historic island that supported part of the railroad bridge subject to Lincoln’s famous case of Hurd et al v. Rock Island Bridge Company (often called the Effie Afton trial.) Ft. Armstrong has been on Rock Island since 1816. Army Dr. Emerson was stationed at Ft. Armstrong from 1834 to 1836 and took Dred Scott with him as a slave. Slavery was prohibited in Illinois and that later served as Scott’s claim for freedom in the Dred Scott case. The first rail bridge over the Mississippi used the Island to connect Illinois to Iowa and was finished in 1856 (and struck by the steamboat Effie Afton the same year!). President Lincoln signed the legislation creating the Arsenal in 1862, which became a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Join us for this informative, historical look at how Lincoln addressed the science and technology issues of his time, and how lawyers of every generation face similar challenges. Topics include:
  • The ethical issues facing lawyers regarding science and technology innovations;
  • How AI and emerging technology is impacting current lawyers and law practice; and
  • Much more.


Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Contemporary Ethical Issues
Explore the ethical issues facing lawyers today – from the need to stay current with technology to problems with email, websites, cybersecurity, and more – with this informative session.
Peter L. Rotskoff, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Springfield

How Artificial Intelligence Will Impact Lawyers and the Legal Profession
Get the information you need about how the evolving area of AI may impact your law practice and the legal system.
Jonathan T. Nessler, Nessler & Associates Ltd., Springfield

Block Chain, AI, Disruptive Innovations – What is a Lawyer To Do?
This panel presentation discusses what we can learn from Lincoln’s experiences with science and technology, and how lawyers and the legal profession will continue to be impacted.
Moderator: J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Jonathan T. Nessler, Nessler & Associates Ltd., Springfield
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville



*Originally presented as part of the ISBA’s 5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



Pricing Information
  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $105 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $210
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

5th Annual Abraham Lincoln's Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today's Lawyers: Science and Technology's Rapidly Evolving Impact on the Law - Part 1

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy: Lessons for Today’s Lawyers –
Science and Technology’s Rapidly Evolving Impact on the Law – Part 1
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Co-sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association


2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 2.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics credit


Original Program Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­October 21, 2025 - October 20, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this two part series from ISBA’s 5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar, as we take an in-depth look at how inventions and advancements in science and technology create opportunities for lawyers to represent innovators, as well as those clients who are disrupted by the innovation (including the legal profession). The program takes place at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum located on the historic island that supported part of the railroad bridge subject to Lincoln’s famous case of Hurd et al v. Rock Island Bridge Company (often called the Effie Afton trial.) Ft. Armstrong has been on Rock Island since 1816. Army Dr. Emerson was stationed at Ft. Armstrong from 1834 to 1836 and took Dred Scott with him as a slave. Slavery was prohibited in Illinois and that later served as Scott’s claim for freedom in the Dred Scott case. The first rail bridge over the Mississippi used the Island to connect Illinois to Iowa and was finished in 1856 (and struck by the steamboat Effie Afton the same year!). President Lincoln signed the legislation creating the Arsenal in 1862, which became a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Join us for this informative, historical look at how Lincoln addressed the science and technology issues of his time, and how lawyers of every generation face similar challenges. Topics include:
  • How Lincoln’s curiosity and self-study of other disciplines (including science and technology) enhanced his ability to represent clients from a broad range of industries;
  • Lincoln’s representation in the famous Effie Afton trial where the interests of steamboats clashed with the development of railroad expansion;
  • Lincoln’s role as legislator, lawyer, President, and inventor in other areas of science and technology innovations;
  • Much more.


Program Coordinators:
J. Steven Beckett, Beckett Law Office P.C., Urbana
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Lincoln’s Interest and Commitment to Science and Technology
The program’s opening segment examines Lincoln’s evolving interest in and involvement with science and technology issues – and how it impacted his role as lawyer, legislator, and President.
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville

Lincoln and the Effie Afton Case
Don’t miss this in-depth look at how the westward expansion of railroads required a bridge over the Mississippi and how that collided, figuratively and literally, with the steamboat industry.
Guy C. Fraker, Attorney and Author, Bloomington

Lincoln’s Cases involving Railroads and Other Patents and Inventions
This segment explores some of the many cases Lincoln participated in as new inventions, methods of transportation, commerce, and industry came to Illinois.
Hon. Ronald D. Spears (ret.), Spears Dispute Resolution LLC, Taylorville



*Originally presented as part of the ISBA’s 5th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



Pricing Information
  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $96.25 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $192.50
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free

Lincoln the Lawyer - Insights Into Professionalism

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Academy of Criminology
Co-Sponsored by the University of Illinois College of Law


1.25 hours MCLE credit including 1.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: 1.25 hours Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, June 3, 2021
MCLE Accreditation Extension Period: ­­­­­­­October 21, 2025 - October 20, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this online seminar that explores the professional excellence of one of Illinois’ greatest attorneys, Abraham Lincoln. The presentation offers engaging vignettes about Lincoln’s legal career that gives you an idea of what Lincoln’s law practice consisted of, as well as, how other attorneys viewed him (including a few pre-presidency opinions for a better idea of what his contemporaries thought of Lincoln). The program also explores Lincoln’s personal viewpoints about the legal profession.

Program Coordinator:
Edward Mogul, Illinois Academy of Criminology, Chicago

Welcome and Introductions
Hon. Anne M. Burke, Chief Justice, Illinois Supreme Court, Chicago

Program Speaker:
John Lupton, Executive Director, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Springfield


Pricing Information
  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $44 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit
    • Non-Member Price $88
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students - Free