In preparation of the civil filing code and fee changes required as a result of Public Act 100-987, pursuant to the Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105/27.1b) effective July 1, eFileIL will be unavailable statewide starting at noon Friday, June 28, until 8 a.m. Monday, July 1.

Filers will be unable to submit documents to the court through eFileIL during this time, but will be permitted to file paper documents locally at the appropriate clerk’s office during regular business hours without needing to submit a Certificate of Exemption from e-Filing form.

Join us online from noon until 1 p.m. on June 25 to learn about the risks and benefits of using PDF files.

PDFs have become the file format of choice when trading documents with other lawyers and clients. Many courts now require that all pleadings be filed as PDFs, and most governmental forms are available exclusively in PDF format.

Lawyers are trained to practice law, not run businesses. But solo practitioners and leaders of smaller firms generally need to excel at both. That means winning cases, satisfying clients, and attending to the financial wellness of your firm-each of which requires a combination of strong administrative habits and skills. In the Illinois Bar Journal’s June cover story, “Practice Checkup,” we consider suggestions from lawyers for staying organized, maintaining your revenue stream, assessing your marketing tactics, and planning for the future. How long has it been since you took stock of your business acumen?

The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) has announced the 2019 class of summer interns and fellows. This year, 50 summer law student interns and 75 graduate fellows will provide 42,500 hours of legal services at any of PILI’s 60 participating agencies. 

PILI’s Law Student Internship Program connects law students from across the country with public interest law agencies in Illinois and pays them for their work. Summer 2019 PILI interns come from 23 law schools and include rising 2Ls and 3Ls. They will each provide 400 hours of legal services at 28 legal service agencies, for a total of 20,000 hours served. See a full list of the 2019 law student interns. 

The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays. The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law. For the month of May 2019 there were more than 800 referrals given.

Here are the results for May 2019:

The Illinois Supreme Court handed down one opinion on Thursday, June 6. In People v. Clark, the court affirmed that a defendant’s bail bond violation constituted escape.  

People v. Clark

By Kerry J. Bryson, Office of the State Appellate Defender

Elizabeth Clark had a history of substance abuse. In October 2012, Clark pled guilty to burglary and unlawful use of a credit card and, pending sentencing, she was released for treatment. Ultimately, Clark was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 30 months of probation. Clark subsequently violated that probation twice. She was taken into custody and then released on a temporary recognizance bond to be transported directly to an inpatient treatment facility. Clark successfully completed inpatient treatment, and the bond was modified to allow her to enter a halfway house providing extended residential care following substance abuse treatment. The bond modification provided that if Clark was released or discharged from the halfway house for any reason, she was to immediately return to the custody of the Will County Jail using the most direct route of travel and without delay.

The Illinois Supreme Court today amended Rule 295, which pertains to matters assignable to associate judges.

The amended Rule, which goes into effect July 1, provides:

“The chief judge of each circuit or any circuit judge designated by him or her may assign an associate judge to hear and determine any matters deemed suitable by the chief judge or designated circuit judge, including the trial of criminal cases in which the defendant is charged with an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.”

Marcia M. Meis, director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that 386 out of 391 Illinois associate judges who filed requests for reappointment to their office for a new four-year term have been retained.

Having certified the results of more than 480 total ballots cast in Illinois' 24 circuit courts, Meis informed that each successful candidate received votes that tallied three-fifths or greater in favor of their reappointment. Five associate judges did not receive the requisite number of votes for reappointment. The new term of office for each reappointed associate judge will begin on July 1, 2019 and terminate on June 30, 2023.

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier issued the following statement today on the increased funding for the judicial branch following the signing of the Fiscal Year 2020 budget by Governor J.B. Pritzker.

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers legal transcription, driver’s licenses and child support, the Cannabis Regulation Tax Act, disposition of remains, the Illinois Trust Code, forensic interviews on children, medical cannabis, and toxic torts.