Crew charged with stealing over $500K during burglaries targeting businesses in Lake County, Chicagoland area

The Illinois Attorney General has charged three suspects with participating in a burglary ring that netted over $500,000 and targeted businesses in Lake County and the Chicagoland area.

From: 
Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Illinois lawmaker files bill that would impeach Gov. Pritzker. Why it is unlikely to pass

An Illinois representative has filed a bill that would impeach Gov. JB Pritzker, arguing that Pritzker has incited violence on multiple occasions.

From: 
The State Journal-Register

Federal agents make immigration arrests in West Chicago and at West Side courthouse

Up to 16 people were reportedly taken into custody in the west suburb while two people were arrested near the courthouse.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Legal battle continues against Carlinville funeral home accused of giving families wrong ashes

Almost two years after a class action lawsuit was filed against a Carlinville funeral home, the legal battle continues, and it could go all the way up to Illinois’ Supreme Court.

From: 
WCIA

New revelations on Quincy’s FLOCK cameras and homicide numbers

Police Chief Adam Yates can’t say for sure that license plate reader cameras are responsible for zero homicides in 2024, but he did note the interesting timing and a drop in the number of murders in the city from three in 2023 to zero in 2024.

From: 
Muddy River News

Illinois gun ban appeals hearing next week

A gun rights advocate says that the U.S. Department of Justice coming to argue in front of an appeals court against Illinois’ gun ban is significant.

From: 
Advantage News

Introducing the John E. Thies Excellence in Legal Education Award

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

The Illinois State Bar Association is pleased to introduce the John E. Thies Excellence in Legal Education Award.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet presented Past President John E. Thies (2012-13) with a Certificate of Recognition during the first day of the NextGen Symposium 2025, which was held at the ISBA Regional Office.

Client Data: Collect It All

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
ISBA’s Practice Toolbox Series
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association


1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 14, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Save time, reduce paper, and increase the completion rate of your client questionnaires using free and inexpensive tools to electronically gather data from your clients. Learn how to create fillable PDFs and online questionnaires to gather the needed data.


Program Speaker:
Jeffrey Schoenberger, Affinity Consulting, Ohio

 About the Speaker: Jeff’s unique role at Affinity involves managing our Practice Management Advisory program. Prior to joining the Affinity family, Jeff practiced law with Legal Aid in Cincinnati, Ohio. He learned about Affinity and consulting as a career path through some of partners Paul Unger’s and Barron Henley’s CLE courses. Jeff’s describes his superpower as his ability to “get the podcast done.” His favorite part of his job is discovering new tech and techniques to help attorneys.

Pricing Information
  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free

Your Socratic Sidekick

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

 Using generative artificial intelligence (GAI) models to detect logical (and illogical) patterns in text is one of its quiet superpowers. In this September Illinois Bar Journal article, “Your Socratic Sidekick,” Patrick T. Barone shows how GAI tools, guided with carefully crafted prompts, enables lawyers to simulate the probing questions of a seasoned professor.