Illinois Supreme Court Appoints John Carroll as Judge in Third Subcircuit of Cook County

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

Justice Joy V. Cunningham and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of John P. Carroll Jr., as a judge in the Third Subcircuit of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Carroll is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Thomas W. Murphy. Mr. Carroll’s appointment is effective May 23, 2025, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.

Illinois Supreme Court Installs Handcrafted Gavel as Official Instrument To Open Proceedings

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

The Illinois Supreme Court during a brief ceremony Tuesday installed an official handmade gavel, crafted by esteemed Judge Andreas “Andy” Matoesian, marking a tribute to judicial tradition and as an emblem for court proceedings. The installation took take place ahead of the Legal Luminaries Reception honoring Appellate Court Justice Carol Pope (ret.) Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier and U.S. District Court Judge Rubin Castillo (ret.).

Access to Justice Commission Accepting Applications for Improvement Grants

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission), and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) have launched the application process for a grant initiative and are extending invitations to join their network of court personnel who assist self-represented litigants (SRLs) and advance access to justice. The application process for the grant is open now through June 20, 2025.

Taking Stock

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

 Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), a fiduciary must discharge his or her responsibility “solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants and their beneficiaries” and “with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence” that a prudent person “acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use.” In her May Illinois Bar Journal article, “Taking Stock,” Samantha J.