Illinois gun ban appeals hearing next week

A gun rights advocate says that the U.S. Department of Justice coming to argue in front of an appeals court against Illinois’ gun ban is significant.

From: 
Advantage News

Introducing the John E. Thies Excellence in Legal Education Award

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

The Illinois State Bar Association is pleased to introduce the John E. Thies Excellence in Legal Education Award.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet presented Past President John E. Thies (2012-13) with a Certificate of Recognition during the first day of the NextGen Symposium 2025, which was held at the ISBA Regional Office.

Client Data: Collect It All

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!
ISBA’s Practice Toolbox Series
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association


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


Original Program Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 14, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Save time, reduce paper, and increase the completion rate of your client questionnaires using free and inexpensive tools to electronically gather data from your clients. Learn how to create fillable PDFs and online questionnaires to gather the needed data.


Program Speaker:
Jeffrey Schoenberger, Affinity Consulting, Ohio

 About the Speaker: Jeff’s unique role at Affinity involves managing our Practice Management Advisory program. Prior to joining the Affinity family, Jeff practiced law with Legal Aid in Cincinnati, Ohio. He learned about Affinity and consulting as a career path through some of partners Paul Unger’s and Barron Henley’s CLE courses. Jeff’s describes his superpower as his ability to “get the podcast done.” His favorite part of his job is discovering new tech and techniques to help attorneys.

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 $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Your Socratic Sidekick

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

 Using generative artificial intelligence (GAI) models to detect logical (and illogical) patterns in text is one of its quiet superpowers. In this September Illinois Bar Journal article, “Your Socratic Sidekick,” Patrick T. Barone shows how GAI tools, guided with carefully crafted prompts, enables lawyers to simulate the probing questions of a seasoned professor.

Judge maintains release conditions for Dixon man charged with disseminating images of child sex abuse

A Lee County judge ruled Thursday, Sept. 11, to maintain the several pretrial release conditions previously imposed on a Dixon man accused of disseminating images and videos of child sexual abuse.

From: 
Belleville News-Democrat

Thousands of complaints in limbo after closure of Chicago Office for Civil Rights

Under the direction of Trump officials, work on complaints effectively ground to a halt. By March, the Department of Education’s civil rights office in Chicago was among seven regional branches abruptly closed — part of a sprawling push to dismantle the agency.

From: 
Chicago Tribune

Head Start preschool remains open to all regardless of immigration status, two judges rule

Federal judges temporarily blocked Trump administration proposed changes limiting who can access the government programs for babies and small children.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Relationship building a key goal at Lincoln’s new center for incarcerated youth

Similar to the transformation of a monarch butterfly, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice believes that kids who started off on the wrong path can emerge from incarceration transformed.

From: 
25 News Now

Attorney General Raoul launches new online platform for charitable organizations

Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a new online portal and updated database created to help charitable organizations more easily comply with state law and to improve potential donors’ access to information about charitable organization before making donations.

From: 
RiverBender.com