Gov. JB Pritzker signed artificial intelligence legislation modeled after similar bills in California and New York on Monday, furthering a push for a state-driven national framework in lieu of federal regulations.

From: 
WVIK

National Law Journal Ranks Simmons Hanly Conroy Among Nation’s Top Firms

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

ALTON, Ill. — Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP has been ranked among the 2026 NLJ 500, the National Law Journal’s annual survey of the 500 largest law firms by attorney headcount in the United States.

Founded in 1999 in Alton, Illinois, Simmons Hanly Conroy has built a national reputation for handling high-stakes, complex litigation and serving in leadership roles in some of the most consequential multidistrict litigation in the country.

Supreme Court Rules Committee to Hold Public Hearing on September 3

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee will hear comments on six proposals on Wednesday, September 3, 2026, at a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor, in Chicago. All proposals must be approved by the Illinois Supreme Court before they can take effect.

The hearing will be livestreamed here.

Illinois Supreme Court Announces Passing Score Requirement for NextGen Uniform Bar Examination

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

The Illinois Supreme Court announced in December 2025 that Illinois will accept transferred scores from the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE), a new version of the bar examination, beginning in July 2026. In an order issued today, the Court announces that the passing score recognized by Illinois for the NextGen UBE shall be 620.

The 16th Judicial Circuit Issues New Guidelines for Apprehensions and Public Demonstrations at Kane County Courthouses

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

June 30, 2026 – ST. CHARLES, IL — The 16th Judicial Circuit has issued two general orders that set forth expectations for conduct on courthouse premises and procedures for apprehensions at or near court facilities. General Order 25.06 (entered May 2, 2025) addresses procedures in the apprehension of individuals in Kane County courthouses; General Order 26.09 (entered June 25, 2026) establishes guidelines for court facility access, public demonstrations, and safety related to protest activities.

Grayson has served less than six months of a 20-year sentence for the murder of Sonya Massey.

From: 
25 News Now

Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant has paid more than $30 million in federal harassment settlement; while new lawsuit says nothing changed.

From: 
The Chicago Crusader

A multi-agency effort to disrupt violence in the Chicago area has resulted in the arrest of more than 300 fugitives, dozens of criminal cases and the recovery of 24 children, federal officials said this week.

From: 
WGN 9