The ISBA Standing Committee on Women and the Law and the Women's Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) co-hosted a Professional Development Luncheon on Aug. 17 at the Chicago Office. The luncheon topic was the Illinois Paid Family Leave Act. On hand for the luncheon were Women and the Law Chair Julie Neubauer, Board Co-liaison Bridget Duignan, WBAI President Adria Mossing and ISBA Board member Lisa Nyuli.
The Illinois Innocence Project (IIP) is dedicated to releasing innocent men and women imprisoned in Illinois for crimes they did not commit. In 2014, the IIP assisted in the passage of a law to allow post-conviction DNA and other forensic testing in guilty plea cases under 725 ILCS 5/116-3. The IIP has since received a grant from the United States Department of Justice for DNA testing in guilty plea cases in which the defendant may be innocent.
Because this change to 116-3 is so recent, many people incarcerated as a result of guilty pleas do not realize they can request this testing, nor do they know about our grant funding. So we are asking you, their attomeys, to think back on your criminal law careers, focusing on serious felony cases. Did you have a client who you thought was likely innocent, but took a plea for any number of reasons (avoiding a harsher sentence, a false confession, etc.)?
Please send us information on any serious felony case in which the client took a guilty plea and might be innocent. Even if you do not believe there is any potential DNA to test, we would still like to know about the case for future grant applications. Please feel free to contact Lauren Myerscough-Mueller via email at lmyersc2@uis.edu, or phone at (217) 206-6051. If you can only remember a name, please send that and we can figure out the rest. We appreciate your time and attention.
These offers are provided to you by Illinois State Bar Association.
Celebrate summer with amazing offers nationwide! There's so much to enjoy - look for great deals on hotels, shows, events, tours and attractions nationwide! Planning a long weekend getaway with the family or friends? Check out offers from Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, Six Flags and more.
Don't forget, TicketsatWork members have access to great local deals, discounted movie tickets, rental cars and much, much more!
As the practice of telemedicine grows in popularity, so does the list of legal and ethical issues that physicians and health care attorneys need to be aware of. Join us online on September 9, 2016 for a look at how you can help your health care clients stay up-to-date in this evolving and dynamic field. Attorneys with intermediate to advanced levels of practice experience will better understand: how patient/physician relationships are established in a virtual medical practice; the concern for continuity of care; the American Medical Association policies regarding telemedicine; regulatory issues and privacy concerns; and payment requirements. The program closes with a brief look at Teladoc v. Texas Medical Board, which has been entangled in a legal battle since 2011.
By Michael T. Reagan, Law Offices of Michael T. Reagan
In Blumenthal v. Brewer, 2016 IL 118781, the court reaffirmed Hewitt v. Hewitt, 77 Ill.2d 49 (1979) which concerned the rights of unmarried cohabitants, restated that the Supreme Court alone may overrule or modify one of its previous opinions, and concluded that it is exclusively for the legislature to determine whether a change in public policy governing the rights of parties in nonmarital relationships is necessary. Justice Karmeier wrote for the majority; Justice Theis, with Justice Burke joining her, wrote separately, concurring in part and dissenting in part.
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Income shares and child support. Public Act 99-764, Parentage Act of 2015. Public Act 99-769, IMDMA cleanup. Public Act 99-763, Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (2015). Public Act 99-775 and Personal guardian. Public Act 99-821.
More information on each bill is available below the video.
Income shares and child support. Public Act 99-764 (Kelly Burke, D-Oak Lawn; Hastings, D-Matteson) moves Illinois into the majority of other states that have an “income shares” model for adjudicating child support. Effective July 1, 2017.
In the August Illinois Bar Journal, ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington summarizes legislation of special interest to lawyers passed by the General Assembly this session and sent to the governor. As of Thursday morning, we've updated the list to indicate which bills the governor has signed. We've also included the public act number and linked to the full text of the new laws.
Find out which bills have been signed and read the full text.
The Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing (LCBH) has graciously agreed to present a short training on eviction for those interested in taking on pro bono cases at noon on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the ISBA Chicago Regional Office. Speakers will discuss LCBH, pro bono opportunities, as well as discuss eviction related topics. Register here to reserve a boxed lunch for $10 or bring your own.
No CLE credit given for this program.
Register at www.isba.org/sections/yld/pdl
Deadline to register is August 23.
Pursuant to action taken today by the Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Judge Valarie E. Turner has been temporarily reassigned to duties other than judicial duties in the office of the Presiding Judge of the First Municipal District, Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. The assignment is effective until further notice.
The decision to reassign Judge Turner followed a meeting of the Circuit Court of Cook County Executive Committee convened today by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans to discuss allegations of improper conduct involving Judge Turner. The committee was informed that Judge Turner allegedly permitted attorney Rhonda Crawford, a law clerk with the Office of the Chief Judge and candidate for judicial election in November 2016, to adjudicate at least two cases from the bench while wearing a judicial robe in Judge Turner’s courtroom.
Until today, Judge Turner had been assigned to the Sixth Municipal District Courthouse in Markham where she heard a variety of matters in rotation with other judges.
“The public’s confidence in the judiciary is the cornerstone of our system of justice, and I have taken the steps necessary to preserve that confidence,” said Chief Judge Evans. “Because the investigation is pending, I believe it is inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
In addition, Crawford was suspended pending internal investigation without pay by the Office of the Chief Judge. Her current annual salary is $56,961, and she has been employed as a law clerk/staff attorney with the office since 2011.
Join your peers for an afternoon of socializing and horse racing at this annual event!
When: Saturday, September 24, 2016, Noon – 6 p.m.
Tickets will be available for pick up at 11:15 a.m. on race day at the will call window, Grandstand Entrance (east side off of Wilke Road entrance).
Where: Arlington Park Racecourse, 2200 W Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
ISBA will be at the Canopy Tables in the Winners Circle Section.
Cost: Cost: $9 per adult, $4 per youth age 4-17. Tickets are complimentary for children 3 and under. General Admission cost includes admission to the park, a daily racing guide, and a fabulous day of Thoroughbred racing!
Lunch is not included but our seating area is BYOB!
Please register by Wednesday, September 21, 2016
For information on permitted and prohibited items in the park, please visit: http://www.arlingtonpark.com/visit/general-information
Questions: Please email Blake Howard at bhoward@isba.org.