In his August Illinois Bar Journal article, “The Insurer-Insured Privilege,” Scott O. Reed observes that Illinois is one of the few U.S. jurisdictions to recognize what is known as the “insurer-insured privilege,” which protects from discovery statements made by an insured to its insurer, even though no attorney is involved in those communications. This description of the doctrine is straight-forward, but Reed notes Illinois cases have recognized several limitations, exceptions, and qualifications to this privilege.

By Abigail Causer, Managing Attorney at the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)

Imagine being without legal guidance when you need it most. Now, imagine being the ray of hope that brightens that darkness- from the comfort of your home. Hosted by the ABA and Administered in Illinois by PILI through the incredible support of the Illinois Bar Foundation, the Illinois Access to Justice grant program, and the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Illinois Free Legal Answers is a secure website where lower income Illinois residents can ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue. Qualified users post questions about civil legal problems, then volunteer lawyers log onto the site - anytime and anywhere you can access the internet - and select questions to answer. It’s a virtual walk-in legal clinic and a great pro bono opportunity that you can engage with over your lunch or in your off hours in sweatpants.

A leading appellate attorney reviews the Illinois Supreme Court opinion handed down Friday, August 11. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Terrence Hake as he recounts how he worked undercover for the FBI during the 1980s by posing as a corrupt prosecutor accepting bribes from attorneys and, later, as an attorney in private practice making payoffs to Cook County judges and court personnel for the dismissal of cases. The investigation, known as “Operation Greylord,” resulted in bribery and tax charges being filed against 103 judges, lawyers, and other court personnel, and is one of the FBI’s most successful undercover investigations.

by Karen Alice Kloppe 

Free legal assistance is available to qualifying older adults in priority civil cases based on available funding allocated to each of the 13 Area Agencies on Aging in the Illinois Aging Network under the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965, as amended. (Public Law 89–73 as amended through Public Law 116–131.) The goal is “to assist older individuals in understanding their rights, exercising choices, benefiting from services and opportunities authorized by law, and maintaining the rights of older individuals at risk of guardianship. See 42 USC 3058j(5) and 42 USC 3002(33) (defining the term “legal assistance”).

Mary Smith is President of the American Bar Association and is the first Native American woman in this role.

Mary is an independent board member and former CEO of a $6 billion national healthcare organization, the Indian Health Service. She currently serves on the board of PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT), a global biopharmaceutical company and on the board of HAI Group, a leading member-owned insurance company for the affordable housing industry. She is also vice chair of the VENG Group, a national consulting firm.

By Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias

Everything we do at the Secretary of State’s office is centered around creating an environment of excellent customer service. Each day we look to make improvements to better achieve this goal.

Our “Skip-the-Line Program” is an important step to improve the customer experience using a multi-pronged approach designed to eliminate the unpredictability of wait times at Driver and Motor Vehicle (DMV) facilities that Illinoisans have experienced for far too long.

ISBA’s 15 hours of Free On-Demand CLE member benefit allow you to choose from over 750 hours of programming on a broad range of topics. This benefit results from the tireless efforts of many dedicated ISBA volunteer CLE program coordinators working with the ISBA CLE Committee and staff who plan and produce programs presented by our sections and committees. We proudly recognize those coordinators responsible for CLE programs presented throughout our 2022-23 Bar year. Please join us as we thank them for all they do to enhance the profession!

 Each August, the Illinois Bar Journal features summaries of legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly during the most recent spring session and that may be of interest to ISBA members. Compiled by the Illinois State Bar Association’s legislative affairs department, the IBJ’s annual Legislative Roundup includes new and amended statutes concerning such areas of law as family, real estate, trusts and estates, criminal, civil litigation, and more. 

As an ISBA member, you can select from over 700 hours of on-demand CLE content and earn up to 15 MCLE credit hours (including PMCLE) per bar year at no additional cost.

That’s enough Free On-Demand CLE to meet your 30 hour MCLE requirement over a two-year period – Anytime, Anywhere! 

View the On-Demand CLE Catalog.