Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Tony Thedford as At-Large Judge in Cook County

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced that D’Anthony (Tony) Thedford has been appointed as an At-Large Judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Thedford is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul Karkula. Mr. Tedford’s appointment is effective December 2, 2024, and will continue through Dec. 7, 2026.

Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Michael Zink as Judge in 20th Subcircuit of Cook County

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced that Michael Zink has been appointed as a judge in the 20th Subcircuit of Cook County. 

Mr. Zink is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David Haracz. Mr. Zink’s appointment is effective December 2, 2024, and will continue through Dec. 7, 2026. 

“Mr. Zink’s extensive legal and volunteer experience have prepared him well for this next step,” Chief Justice Theis said. “I expect him to serve the people of Cook County well as a circuit judge.” 

ISBA Women & the Law Committee’s Book Drive

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

The ISBA's Women & the Law Committee is excited to announce its annual charity drive. This year, the focus is on expanding access to books for children in underprivileged communities across Illinois through monetary and book donations. Please bring book donations to the Midyear Meeting Registration for charities accepting physical books as outlined below.

Your donations will support the following organizations:

Bernie's Book Bank

City Limits

Posted on November 4, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

 The Illinois Bar Journal’s November cover story asks the question, “Can you beat City Hall?” The answer is, “Yes, but it’s complicated.” You must be well-schooled to do it successfully, according to a panel of Illinois municipal attorneys who provided insights into litigating against municipalities during a recent ISBA continuing legal education (CLE) program. The IBJ distilled the panel’s guidance and also interviewed attorneys experienced in fighting and representing municipalities and the State of Illinois.

State and Local Tax Legislation: What Goes on Behind the Scenes

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 ISBA State and Local Taxation Section


2.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 21, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Many practices are primarily statutory-based practice; for example, State and Local Taxation begins, at its core, with Chapter 35 of the ILCS. And any time a case changes or impacts any part of that section of the statues, you can be sure that it will likely be codified into statute (or overridden) soon after. So too with most statute-based practices. Because of this, familiarity with the proposed changes to the statutes are one of the best ways to keep track of current tax trends, while gaining the roadmap you need to advise your clients on potential future issues. Likewise, being able to critically argue the proposed legislation advances the debate of public policy and allows practitioners to present arguments that might benefit both the public and their clients. Either way, knowing the statutes and their proposed changes benefits you in advancing and/or protecting the position of your clients. But how do you know the laws being proposed, or their surrounding arguments? Don’t miss this panel presentation that shows you where to find ongoing proposed tax bills and gives you the step-by-step instructions you need for providing your own input into Illinois’ tax legislation. Listen as our speakers offer an in-depth look at their own experiences in trying to influence legislation and what you can learn from their successes and failures. Additional topics include:
  • The legislative research process – from how to find the bill number and where to review the bill status, to how to use the dates to find a transcript of each bill’s discussion;
  • How to use “My Legislation” on the General Assembly website, including how to create an account and how to add/edit/delete bills in your My Legislation account;
  • How to present new items you’d like to propose; and
  • A discussion of coalition building

Program Coordinators:
Gary H. Smith, Law Offices of Gary H. Smith, P.C., a division of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, Chicago
David J. Kupiec, Kupiec & Martin, LLC, Chicago

Program Chat Moderator:
Gary H. Smith, Law Offices of Gary H. Smith, P.C., a division of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, Chicago

Program Speakers:
Whitney T. Carlisle, O’Keefe Lyons & Hynes, LLC, Chicago
David Eldridge, ISBA Legislative Counsel, Springfield
Daniel J. Heywood, Maher, Brannigan & Heywood, P.C., Orland Park
Timothy E. Moran, Schmidt Salzman & Moran, Ltd., Chicago


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 $140 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Illinois Supreme Court to Swear-In New Attorneys at Bar Admission Ceremonies Across the State

Posted on November 4, 2024 by Timothy A. Slating

The bar admission ceremonies for the 1,604 new attorneys who passed the July 2024 Bar Exam will be held on Wednesday, November 6, in all five judicial districts of Illinois. 

The First Judicial District ceremony sessions will be held in Chicago at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. and Justice Joy V. Cunningham swearing-in candidates. 

The Second Judicial District ceremony will be held in Elgin at 10 a.m. with Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford swearing-in candidates. 

6th Annual Bock Food Law and Policy Conference

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 ISBA Food Law Section


3.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­November 4, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Back by popular demand! Don’t miss the 6th Annual Bock Food Law and Policy Conference as we explore the hot topics and emerging legal issues in the food and agricultural law industries. Attorneys with intermediate practice experience who attend this online program will learn about:
  • Sexual Harassment Prevention in the Food Service Sector: this discussion explores the historical perspectives and new regulations for the prevention of sexual harassment in the services industry, as well as how those laws might apply to your clients who are restaurant, bar, or other food service entities;
  • The Illinois Grocery Initiative Act: this section offers a comprehensive overview of the Illinois Grocery Initiative Act, including a look at the legislation that has passed, the grants available for grocers, and how your clients can apply for those grants;
  • Out of State Food Laws and Their Impact on Manufacturers and Agritourism: these presentations explore the food laws of various states through the U.S. that can affect manufacturers and agritourism business entities, and how you can assist your Illinois clients as they navigate those laws;
  • Maine’s Right to Food Constitutional Amendment: this in-depth discussion explores the new right to food amendment to Maine’s constitution, as well as its provisions and its purpose.

Program Coordinators:
Robert B. Anderson, Bahr Anderson Law Group, LLC, Naperville
Prof. A. Bryan Endres, Director, Bock Food and Agricultural Law Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
Jane E. McBride, Attorney at Law, Springfield

Program Moderator:
Prof. A. Bryan Endres, Director, Bock Food and Agricultural Law Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana

Program Chat Moderator:
Robert B. Anderson, Bahr Anderson Law Group, LLC, Naperville

Program Speakers:
Prof. A. Bryan Endres, Director, Bock Food and Agricultural Law Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
Prof. Sarah Everhart, Assistant Professor, Widener University Delaware Law School; Director, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic, Delaware
Prof. Maria H. Kalaitzandonakes, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
John O’Conner, Policy & Program Development Manager, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Springfield
Prof. William C. Ridley, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana
Prof. Emily E. LB. Twarog, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana


Program 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