Leading appellate attorneys review the Illinois Supreme Court opinions handed down Thursday, December 19.

The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Robert C. Marsaglia of Morris to serve as a Commissioner of the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) for a term beginning on January 1, 2025, and expiring on December 31, 2027. The ARDC is the Supreme Court agency that oversees lawyer licensing and investigates allegations of lawyer wrongdoing in Illinois. 

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the release of its policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the courts, following the approval of a report submitted by the Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) announced today that the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine’s Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development (CRHSSD) has recently awarded $45,000 to rural drug courts in Illinois. Five rural counties including Pike, Williamson, Clinton, Marion, and Richland will receive funds to enhance existing programs and establish new ones in areas without these critical resources.

On behalf of the Association and its staff, the officers of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) would like to wish all members a happy and safe holiday season. As we move into 2025, we’d also like to reaffirm the ISBA’s commitment to creating a welcoming and safe space for all members of the Illinois legal community. The ISBA continues to condemn hate crimes and any other form of racism, religious or ethnic bias, discrimination, incitement to violence, or animus targeting a minority.

The ISBA Springfield and Chicago offices will be closed for the holidays beginning Saturday, Dec. 21. They will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. During this time, members can expect the following:

• E-Clips will not be delivered for the duration of this period
• Illinois Lawyer Now will not be delivered on Thursday, Dec. 28

All business and e-newsletter distribution will resume as usual on Jan. 2, 2025.

On behalf of everyone at the ISBA, we wish you a happy holiday season and best wishes in the new year. 

Join us for Part 2 of this three-part series as we discuss collections in bankruptcy and the issues that can arise with cryptocurrency. Listen as our cybercurrency and forensic accounting expert offers information and strategies for collecting judgments and handling bankruptcy claims against cybercurrency assets.

 In her December Illinois Bar Journal article, “Lonely Lawyers,” Karen Munoz notes recent studies suggesting that lawyers are an especially lonely bunch. She asks what could be driving their loneliness and distress and why minority attorneys are especially vulnerable. As she looks for answers, she also raises additional questions, such as, “Are we a lonelier profession because we bear so much weight in silence? How do the nature of the work and the environment contribute to loneliness?