State courts have increasingly become the default system for addressing the needs of those with behavioral health issues. Commonly cited statistics show that 64 percent of people in local jails suffer from mental illness. The rate of serious mental illness is four to six times higher in jail than in the general population, and the rate of substance use disorders is seven times higher among those in jail than in the general population. 

Following up on its recent call to action, the Illinois Supreme Court Mental Health Task Force (Task Force) is hosting a series of judicially led, multidisciplinary Regional Councils and Resource Mapping Workshops that will meet monthly throughout the state from January-June 2022.  

Don’t miss this in-depth look at the mediation techniques that can help you successfully settle an employment law dispute.

While some protective orders have existed statutorily in Illinois for at least a decade and hearing and issuing these types of protective orders has become part of the normal course of business in most courthouses, in 2017, the Illinois legislature passed House Bill 3718, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, creating a new statutory framework for issuing protective orders in conjunction with criminal charges.

Join us for this interactive and enlightening online program in which we explore the real life impediments to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Volunteers are needed for the 2022 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational, which will be held virtually on March 11 to 13, 2022, via Zoom. 

This program provides an opportunity for students to learn what it is like to prepare and present a legal case before the Illinois courts. Participating students gain a better understanding of the justice system and improve their knowledge, skills, and ability to articulate in a reasoned, thoughtful manner.

by Hannah Lee

If doing more pro bono is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) can help. We know that pro bono can be daunting, especially for transactional attorneys. If this resonates with you, ILAO has a unique opportunity for your consideration. 

The Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee (IJEC), a joint committee of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Illinois Judges Association, has issued a new opinion: 2021-4: Judge's Use of Photographs with Colleagues for Campaign Purposes. 

Since 2013, ISBA members have received free on-demand CLE (sponsored by ISBA Mutual) that enables them to satisfy all MCLE requirements. Currently, ISBA provides over 500 hours of On-Demand CLE programming in a wide array of topics that are relevant to virtually every ISBA member. This benefit results from the tireless efforts of many dedicated ISBA volunteer CLE program coordinators working with the ISBA staff who plan and produce programs presented by our sections and committees. We proudly recognize those coordinators responsible for CLE programs presented throughout fall 2021. Please join us as we thank them for all they do to enhance the profession!

There have been multiple developments in the area of mechanics lien and construction law since the onset of the pandemic, with one case in particular extinguishing a mechanics lien because it didn’t name all of the necessary parties. Join us for this comprehensive update on mortgage foreclosures, mechanics lien issues, and how you can protect your client in this tricky area of the law.