Illinois Supreme Court Amends Rule on Solicitation of Clients

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today the amendment of Rule 7.3, which pertains to the solicitation of clients.

The Rule was amended to prohibit all client solicitations that "seek[] representation of the respondent in a case brought under any law providing for an ex parte protective order for personal protection when the solicitation is made prior to the respondent having been served with the order."

Illinois Supreme Court Adopts New Rule for Eviction Cases

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

Chief Justice Anne M. Burke and the Illinois Supreme Court announced today the approval of new Rule 139 regarding practice and procedure in eviction proceedings. The new rule requires an eviction complaint to include a copy of the written eviction notice or demand and, where applicable, the relevant portions of the lease. The new rule is effective immediately. 

U.S. Attorney’s Office Seeks Assistant U.S. Attorney

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The U.S. Attorney's Office Central District of Illinois is accepting applications for an assistant United States attorney opening in its Criminal Division to be located in Springfield or Urbana.

Applicants must be United States citizens or nationals; submit to a background investigation, credit and tax checks, and drug test; be registered for selective service, if applicable; and have a J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

Illinois ARDC to Host Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Intermediary Connecting Services Proposal

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) is hosting an online town hall event from 11 a.m. until noon on Monday, July 20, to discuss its Intermediary Connecting Services Proposal.

The proposal, which was published in February, is aimed to increase opportunities for lawyers to connect with clients and market their services to the Illinois public, while also fashioning a regulatory framework for connecting services. 

Illinois Supreme Court Amends Rules to Require Self-Represented Litigants to Provide E-Mail Addresses on Appearances and Pleadings

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Supreme Court today amended Rules 11 and 131.

Rule 11 was amended to explicitly provide that "[a] self-represented litigant who has an e-mail address must also include the e-mail address on the appearance and on all pleadings filed in court to which documents and notices will be served in conformance with Rule 131(d)." Prior to the amendment, self-represented litigants were allowed, but not required, to provide e-mail addresses on appearances and pleadings.​ Rule 131 was simply updated to reflect the changes to Rule 11.

Illinois Supreme Court Urges Attorneys to Volunteer in Pro Bono Pilot Program to Reduce Criminal Appeals Backlog

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

The Illinois Supreme Court is urging ISBA members to participate in a pilot program utilizing volunteer pro bono attorneys to reduce the backlog of criminal appeals that are currently pending with the Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD) across the state. 

In this six-month pilot program, pro bono attorneys will help reduce the backlog by substituting for OSAD in certain criminal appeals. 

CLE: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Industry

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

Join us from 1 until 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, for the ISBA's hot-topic seminar that offers a basic overview of how COVID-19 has impacted the construction industry. Topics include: force majeure case law, force majeure clauses in construction contracts, coverage for potential COVID-19 personal injury claims, and the impact the pandemic has had on employment related policies and procedures.

Too High to Drive?

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Rhys Saunders

There is no question that the speed of the legal acceptance of cannabis has outpaced the progress of scientific research into its use and the beneficial or harmful effects on the human body. The lack of conclusive research into the use of cannabis is illustrated by pseudoscientific claims made about the benefits of cannabis derivatives such as cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive substance marketed as CBD oil that can be readily sourced at your local mall, convenience store, or health food store. Also, as Larry A. Davis shows in his July Illinois Bar Journal article, “Too High to Drive?”: The lack of science-based guidance on the safe use and proper regulation of cannabis is apparent in the inconsistent cannabis-based DUI laws that have been enacted in the course of the Illinois General Assembly’s legalization of medical and recreational cannabis. In his article, Davis explores these inconsistencies and their implications on DUI matters.