President Donald Trump recently said his administration was considering reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug and that a decision could be made “over the next few weeks.”

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

A newly signed law in Illinois expands the definition of bicycles to include low-speed electric bikes. That means those riding e-bikes or tricycles, for example, are now defined as bicyclists.

From: 
The State Journal-Register

Justice Lyle Installed as Chair of the Judicial Council at 54th Annual Thurgood Marshall Luncheon

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

On Tuesday, July 30, 2025, the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association hosted its 54th Annual Thurgood Marshall Luncheon at the Hyatt Hotel in Chicago. This year’s luncheon marked a historic moment as Illinois Appellate Court Justice Freddrenna M. Lyle was sworn in by Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. and installed as the new Chair of the Judicial Council.

In their lawsuit, Republican lawmakers claimed that the budget bill (SB2510), the budget implementation bill (HB1075), and the revenue omnibus bill (HB2755) violated the three-readings rule in the Illinois Constitution.

From: 
News Channel 20

Adams County Judge Scott Larson ruled Wednesday that the Illinois circuit court “does not have the inherent power to initiate, consider and determine” whether the Texas Democrats are in Illinois “for the purpose of willfully evading” warrants issued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

From: 
Daily Herald

Cutting-edge drone technology is now online in metro Chicago. The Oak Brook Police Department is deploying a fully autonomous drone to assess situations, and, more often than not, beat uniformed officers to the scene.

From: 
ABC 7

An Illinois law taking effect next year will prioritize child internet crimes. Illinois is joining 13 other states in enforcing “Alicia’s Law”, or HB2586, which will help prioritize state resources to combat child internet predators after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill on Monday.

From: 
25 News Now

Banning Books & Barbie CLE and Social

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

Decalogue Society of Lawyers’ Womxn’s Committee, with co-hosts ISBA Women & the Law Committee and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois invite you for their next Book Club event.  The evening will feature a talk from Renée Rosen, author of Let’s Call Her Barbie and a one-hour CLE on issues related to book-banning by nationally recognized attorney Daliah Saper. Tickets to this event are $35 for ISBA members. 

Renée Rosen