This lively program in Springfield on November 17, 2016 is comprised of scenarios, skits, and group discussions, allowing participants to gather information on how to recognize and resolve violations of the Open Meetings Act. The program demonstrates and discusses the requirements of the Open Meetings Act, as well as how to apply the Act to real world situations. Government attorneys, public officials, and private counsel who attend this seminar will better understand: how to prepare for a meeting; the importance of meeting locations; how to handle the virtual attendance of board members; the issues with meeting minutes and board member voting; public access issues, including virtual access; board member communication concerns, including texting between members; how to handle closed meetings; the limitations on public comments; and much more!

Illinois State Bar Association 2nd Vice President James F. McCluskey was a guest on Stephanie Trussell's show on WLS 890 AM on October 30, 2016 to discuss using judicial evaluations to become informed on judicial candidates prior to the November 8 election. 

Find 2nd Vice President James F. McCluskey's interview with Stephanie Trussell here.

Find the judicial evaluations here.

By Teri Ross, Program Director / Attorney, Illinois Legal Aid Online

Every year, tens of thousands of people in Illinois are forced to resolve their legal issues unassisted. On the one hand, they are unable to afford private legal counsel; on the other hand, they are unable to get help from the overburdened, underfunded legal aid system.

The Honorable Lloyd A. Karmeier was installed Monday as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court in a ceremony at the Supreme Court Building in Springfield.

Justice Rita B. Garman administered the oath of office. Speakers included Supreme Court Justices Anne M. Burke, Robert R. Thomas and retired Justice Philip J. Rarick.

Chief Justice Karmeier's brother, Del Karmeier, gave the invocation and the Karmeier grandchildren led the pledge of allegiance.

Chief Justice Karmeier, of Nashville, Illinois, is this State’s 120th Chief Justice and the second person from Washington County to hold that office. Justice Byron O. House, for whom Chief Justice Karmeier served as a law clerk, was the first.

Illinois Bar Foundation 2016 Fellows Breakfast

Friday, December 9, 2016 – 7:30-9:00 a.m.

Join the Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation in honoring Ann Hatch (Herzog Crebs LLP), a Diamond Fellow of the Illinois Bar Foundation, with the 2016 Distinguished Service to Law & Society Award, and former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP) with the 2016 Honorary Fellow Award.

Members Have More Fun! Join the TicketsatWork members-only program and gain access to exclusive discounts of up to 60% on tickets to top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, dining, movies, hotels and much more!

Sign up now and be entered to win the ultimate Universal Orlando Resort Package!

In this Agreed Final Order, Ms. Michelle Cummins was found guilty of minor indirect criminal contempt for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law by accepting a position as a licensed lawyer with a corporate employer. Ms. Cummins was ordered to pay $500 in court costs and sentenced to one year of non-reporting probation. ARDC v. Cummins, Cook County No. 16 MC1-600160 (October 28, 2016).

The following is a transcript from a speech given by Elizabeth Kaveny, President of the Illinois Bar Foundation, during their 18th Annual Gala on October 14, 2016 at the Four Seasons in Chicago.

Good Evening. For those of you that I have not had the chance to meet yet this evening, my name is Elizabeth Kaveny. It is really my honor and fortune to serve as the President of the Board of the Illinois Bar Foundation this year and to welcome all of you to this year’s Gala. What a beautiful night it is.

In 1972, a young man was buried in an unmarked grave in Missouri. His own attorney later added a tombstone which read simply:

“Each era finds an improvement in the law for the benefit of mankind.”

Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Marion attorney John W. Sanders as the Resident Circuit Judge of Williamson County in the First Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Sanders was appointed Thursday to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of resident Circuit Judge Carolyn Smoot, effective November 30, 2016.

The appointment of Mr. Sanders takes effect on December 1, 2016, and will conclude on December 3, 2018, when the vacancy will be filled by the winner of the November 2018 general election.

"I'm honored that Chief Justice Karmeier and the Supreme Court have the confidence in me to serve as a Circuit Judge," Sanders said. "I've had the pleasure to represent clients throughout Southern Illinois for the past 28 years. I now look forward to working with the other judges to serve the people of Williamson County and the First Judicial Circuit."