Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Hon. John D. Hay as Resident Circuit Judge in Fifteenth Judicial Circuit

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

Justice Lisa Holder White and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Fifteenth Circuit Associate Judge John D. Hay as Resident Circuit Judge of Jo Daviess County.

Judge Hay is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Resident Circuit Judge Kevin J. Ward. The appointment of Judge Hay is effective September 2, 2025, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.

Illinois law waives license fees for healthcare professionals to work as volunteers

A bill signed into law last Friday by Gov. JB Pritzker will now allow Illinois healthcare workers to work as volunteers without paying a license fee.

From: 
25 News Now

Bipartisan group led by ex-Obama officials ‘rolling the dice’ on new remapping plan for Illinois legislature

A bipartisan pair of former high-level officials from President Barack Obama’s administration on Tuesday began their public push to stop state lawmakers from directly drawing their own district boundaries, a change they argue would mean more competitive elections and a General Assembly that better represents the will of the voters.

From: 
Chicago Tribune

Gov. JB Pritzker signs bill guaranteeing immigrant students access to public education

It bans anyone from denying a child a free public education based on their citizenship or immigration status.

From: 
ABC 7

Pritzker signs bill raising age for seniors to have mandatory driving tests

According to the text of Illinois HB 1226, drivers who are 79 years or older will be required to renew their driver’s license in person. Previously, the age for drivers to have that requirement had been 75, according to Illinois law.

From: 
NBC 5 Chicago

Veterans sue VA over denied education benefits

A new lawsuit wants to force the Department of Veterans Affairs to stop shorting up to 1.7 million veterans out of their GI Bill benefits, after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision expanded their ability to claim the education benefits.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Putting the “Pro” in Pro Bono: How To Help Your Community Through the Pro-Bono Pilot Project

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

To address the unmet legal needs in our communities, the Illinois Supreme Court has adopted the Pro Bono Pilot Project, which is a two-year pilot program that allows Illinois attorneys to earn up to 1 hour of MCLE credit for every 2 hours of pro bono participation they complete with Illinois Free Legal Answers.

Clausen Miller’s Strategic Texas Expansion Triples Firm’s Size in State

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

HOUSTON (August 18, 2025) – Clausen Miller today announced a significant expansion of its Texas presence with the addition of five attorneys and eight professional staff. This move follows Clausen Miller’s third anniversary of operating in Texas and reflects the firm’s long-term strategy to deepen its bench strength and enhance legal services throughout the Southwest.

Illinois joins federal lawsuit against Trump plan to withhold crime victim funding

Attorney General Kwame Raoul moved Monday to block President Donald Trump’s administration from stripping Illinois and other states in the president’s immigration doghouse of millions of dollars in federal funding for crime victims.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times