The initiative, called “Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready,” seeks to expand safety education and address Illinois’ archaic bike laws, which currently don’t address some of the fastest e-bikes.

From: 
WBEZ

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office made the state’s naughty list just two days before Christmas, over its handling of two immigrant detainees. But should it have? The answer is no, county State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said this week following her office’s investigation of the claims.

From: 
Daily Herald

Cook County’s new chief judge on Wednesday announced sweeping changes to his office’s electronic monitoring programs, requiring all major violations to be reported to judges within 24 hours and lowering the threshold for what constitutes a major violation from 48 hours of unauthorized absence to just three hours.

From: 
CWB Chicago

Keishaun R. Thomas, the Decatur concealed permit holder accused of killing one man and shooting at another while claiming self-defense, has now been booked on a charge of first degree murder.

From: 
Belleville News-Democrat

A leading appellate attorney reviews the two Illinois Supreme Court criminal opinions handed down Wednesday, January 28. 

From: 
The Bar News

Celebration of Justice Mary Jane Theis

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

Please join us in honoring Justice Mary Jane Theis upon her retirement from the Illinois Supreme Court.

Justice Theis has served the people of Illinois with distinction, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice throughout her remarkable judicial career. Her contributions to our legal community and the advancement of the rule of law merit our collective recognition and gratitude.

A reception is being held at the Chicago Bar Association on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to honor Justice Theis. 

Aronberg Goldgehn Welcomes Member Jessica E. Chang

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

Aronberg Goldgehn is pleased to welcome Jessica E. Chang as a Member.

In her practice, Chang counsels and represents national and multinational employers in complex labor and employment litigation, including multimillion-dollar class and collective actions, discrimination and retaliation claims, employee-leave disputes, BIPA actions and wage-and-hour disputes.

Timothy A. Barnes Reappointed to a 14-Year Term as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

Chief Judge Michael B. Brennan announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has reappointed Bankruptcy Judge Timothy A. Barnes to another 14-year term when his current term expires on May 15, 2026. Judge Barnes is a bankruptcy judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and his office is located in the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse. Chief Judge Brennan commented that the bar and the public were surveyed extensively and that Judge Barnes is rated as an excellent judge.