Legendary lawyer and Chicagoan Tom Durkin dies at 78 after very short illness

Venerable and lauded Chicago lawyer Thomas Durkin has died after a very brief illness at age 78. Durkin was an advocate for constitutional justice and worked on behalf of thousands of criminal defendants who were charged with terrorism, drug violations, fraud and myriad crimes in cases filed by state and federal authorities in Chicago and around the world.

From: 
NBC 5 Chicago

‘People can recover’: Documentary at Bloomington Public Library catalyzes post-prison success

A film screening this week at Bloomington Public Library aims to raise awareness about barriers that continue to punish people who've served their time in prison.

From: 
WGLT

Illinois parents' lawyers seek to drop murder charges in daughter's death

The parents of a 2-year-old girl who died late last year are seeking to have first-degree murder charges dropped, even as their release under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act has sparked outrage among lawmakers.

From: 
Fox 32

Gov. Pritzker signs 'Squatter Bill' into law, making it easier for police to remove trespassers

Gov. JB Pritzker has officially signed the Illinois "Squatter Bill" into law on Monday. The law will make it easier for police to remove squatters from someone's home, bypassing a possibly months-long eviction process.

From: 
ABC 7

Local GOP lawmakers join challenge to civil procedure bill, business community urges Pritzker to veto plan

A growing number of organizations are calling on Gov. JB Pritzker to veto a controversial bill regarding lawsuits while the same legislation faces a legal battle in Sangamon County.

From: 
WAND

Authorities probe threats against judge who released man charged with concealing death of Antioch woman

Threatening social media posts and harassing correspondence was found, directed at a judge connected with Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, who was arrested by ICE.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Registration Opens for the 17th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Race & 3K Fun Run/Walk

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

ALTON, Ill. (July 21, 2025) – The 17th Annual Alton Miles for Meso 5K Run and 3K Fun Run/Walk benefiting the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) will take place Saturday, Sept. 20. Registration is now open for the in-person and virtual event, which is hosted and produced by Simmons Hanly Conroy and Metro Tri Club of Edwardsville, Illinois.

The event falls just prior to National Mesothelioma Awareness Day, which is commemorated annually on Sept. 26. 

23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference - Part 4

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!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, The Chicago Bar Association Environmental Law Committee, and The Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Environmental Committee


4.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit in the following category: Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit


Original Program Date: May 23, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­July 30, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


This program gives you the updates you need on recent federal and state cases, as well as recent Illinois regulations, rulemakings, and legislation; the challenges facing the environmental insurance industry; and the rules and developments impacting the Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Sequestration Act of 2024. The program closes with a look at hypothetical scenarios and possible solutions to each ethical dilemma.


Program Coordinators:
Jane E. McBride, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Michael P. Murphy, HeplerBroom LLC, Springfield


The Year in Review: Case Law and Statutory Update
Join us for a comprehensive look at recent federal and state cases, as well as recent Illinois regulations, rulemakings, and legislation.
Moderator: Alex Garel-Frantzen, ArentFox Schiff, Chicago
Elizabeth Dubats, Supervising Attorney, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Chicago
Sarah L. Lode, ArentFox Schiff, Chicago
Theodore Motz, Taft Law, Chicago

The Environmental Insurance Industry: Big Challenges Now and in the Future
The environmental insurance industry is undergoing a significant transformation, having matured after more than 25 years of development. Challenges include the frequency and severity of natural catastrophes, such as floods and earthquakes, which damage infrastructure for transportation, mining, water, and energy, and elevate concerns of environmental risk exposure. Additionally, claims activity is increasing in many states due to the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater. Moreover, the industry is still faced with historic contamination or operational issues, such as mold, lead paint, asbestos, and poor indoor air quality. Environmental insurance policies are designed to protect mortgage lenders as well as real estate agents, managers, and developers in the event the properties they handle are contaminated. This comprehensive overview explores the industry as a whole, while giving you the information you need when helping your clients in this regulated community.
Moderator: James L. Morgan, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Corinne Dougherty, Marsh USA Inc., Chicago
Richard P. Reich, Aon Risk Services Central, Inc., Chicago

Update: Carbon Sequestration in Illinois
Don’t miss this update on the rulemaking and other developments occurring relative to the Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Sequestration Act of 2024 (PA 103-651, eff 7-18-24), including the recent attempts to exclude the vicinity of the Mahomet Aquifer as a site for sequestration. Additionally, this session covers the legal issues relevant to the federal permitting process, including Class VI UIC permit applications for Geological Sequestration wells in Illinois that have been submitted to EPA and discusses the technical requirements and considerations you need to know.
Moderator: John “Wes” Brooke, Pioneer Oil Co., Indiana
Jennifer Cassel, Earthjustice, Chicago
Mohammad Khadhrawi, Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign
Amanda Urban, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, Chicago

Identifying and Resolving Ethical Issues Arising in Environmental Law*
This lively presentation examines all new hypothetical scenarios familiar to environmental practitioners. Among the ethical issue presented will be scenarios that focus on the unique issues faced by environmental lawyers in balancing client confidentiality, avoiding and managing potential conflicts while representing multiple clients, advising on clients’ legal obligations to report environmental issues, and more. Using the polling software, the audience will respond to a set of multiple-choice questions, followed by a discussion weighing the various analyses and possible solutions with the aid and advice of our esteemed ARDC speaker.
Moderator/Speaker: Karen Kavanagh Mack, Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., Chicago
William J. Anaya, UBGreensfelder LLP, Chicago



*Originally presented as part of the 23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



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 $140 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $280
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $50
    • Law Students – Free

23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference - Part 3

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!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, The Chicago Bar Association Environmental Law Committee,
and The Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Environmental Committee


3.25 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: May 22, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: August 3, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Join us for an in-depth look at several important environmental law issues, including the future of Illinois’ electricity and natural gas industries under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA); the liability and regulatory concerns in property transactions; how to mitigate the risk and effect of any environmental crisis; and the initiatives to expand Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws.


Program Coordinators:
Jane E. McBride, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Michael P. Murphy, HeplerBroom LLC, Springfield


The Future of Energy in Illinois: Implementing the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)
Over the past year, the Illinois Commerce Commission has issued guidelines for the implementation of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA, P.A. 102 0662). This blockbuster law sets ambitious renewable energy and decarbonization targets that will shape the future of the Illinois electricity and natural gas industries. Join us as our speakers identify the most important developments in Illinois and put them in context with other Midwestern states.
Moderator: James L. Morgan, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Robert Kelter, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Chicago
Bradley Klein, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Chicago

Environmental Due Diligence in Property Transactions
What is the proper scope of due diligence for commercial property with an operating industrial or commercial activity? What is the role of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment performed pursuant to ASTM Standard E1527-21? Get the answers to these questions and more as our speakers discuss statutory environmental cleanup liability concerns, regulatory concerns, permit assignments and notices, and tort concerns for the prospective purchaser. A discussion on conservation easements is also included.
Moderator/Speaker: Eugene P. Schmittgens, Jr., Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C., Missouri
William J. Anaya, UBGreensfelder LLP, Chicago
Eric Hanis, Hanis Consulting, Palatine

Emergency Response and Crisis Management
Prevention and preparedness are key to mitigating the risk and effects of any environmental crisis. Join us for a look at compliance counseling and risk mitigation, as well as the coordination of responses to local, state, and federal agencies (including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Moderator/Speaker: Emily N. Masalski, Eaton Corporation, Oak Park
Aaron R. Gelb, Conn Maciel Carey LLP, Chicago

Initiatives in the Expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Illinois has several Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that require manufacturers to pay for the collection, transportation, and recycling of their products.These laws aim to reduce waste, shift the cost of managing waste from taxpayers to manufacturers, and achieve environmental goals like recycling targets, source reduction, and compostable targets. This segment offers an in-depth overview of EPR, as well as a look at how it has been implemented in other states, the status of existing EPR regulation in Illinois (and the proposed legislation to expand its reach), and how to prepare for future changes.
Moderator: Karen Kavanagh Mack, Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., Chicago
Sydney G. Weiss, King & Spalding, Chicago



*Originally presented as part of the 23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



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 $114 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $228
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $50
    • Law Students – Free

23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference - Part 2

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!
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, The Chicago Bar Association Environmental Law Committee, and The Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Environmental Committee


4.50 MCLE credit


Original Program Date: May 22, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­August 3, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Get the updates you need on several hot topic issues with this informative program! Topics include: how rights of nature law theories are being written into local ordinances and tribal law; how sustainability and ESG can impact the day-to-day operations of a business and the bottom line of corporate performance; how microplastics and other emerging contaminants are being regulated at the federal and state levels; the technical advancements you need to be aware of in assessing and addressing PFAS; and the role of the newly appointed Natural Resource Trustees and how they plan to protect Illinois’ natural resources.


Program Coordinators:
Jane E. McBride, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Michael P. Murphy, HeplerBroom LLC, Springfield


The Rights of Nature: What Is It? Where Does It Come From? How Is It Taking Hold?
Right of nature laws recognize that ecosystems (and the species within them) be protected and allowed to flourish. As such, these legal theories are being written into local ordinances and tribal law, and taking shape in other nations’ constitutions. This presentation examines the origins of these concepts, the language of these laws, and two unique case studies impacting right of nature laws: Manoomin v. DNR in White Earth Tribal Court (Case No. GC21-0428) and DNR v. White Earth Band of Ojibwe and Chief Judge DeGroat in Minnesota District Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (2021-2022).
Frank Bibeau, Tribal Attorney & Director of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights’ Tribal Rights of Nature Program, Leech Lake Reservation, Minnesota

How Sustainability and ESG Affect Daily Business Operations
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from our speakers as they draw upon their vast experience in describing how sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) can impact the day-to-day operations of a business and the bottom line of corporate performance. A discussion on how sustainability and ESG directly impacts energy use, resource consumption, and waste production is included, as well as a look at the process of assessment and planning, engineering solutions to adapt, and developing and communicating corporate policies.
Moderator: James L. Morgan, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Kristian A. Macoskey, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., Pittsburgh
Chris Perzan, Kyndenos LLC, Chicago

The Regulation and Challenges of Microplastics and Other Emerging Contaminants
Microplastics are plastic particles up to five millimeters in diameter and can be found in the environment, food, water, humans, and animals. These particles are released from a variety of sources, including microfibers from synthetic clothing and textiles, plastic pellets used in manufacturing (nurdles), tire-wear particles, and the breakdown products of larger plastic items. This segment examines the federal and state regulation of microplastics and other emerging contaminants, examines the challenges they present, offers strategies for navigating this ever-changing field, and discusses the potential solutions for the regulated community and environment.
Moderator/Speaker: Michael Murphy, HeplerBroom, Springfield
Rachel Zajac-Fay, Senior Scientist, Geosyntec, Tampa

Technical Advancements in Assessing and Addressing PFAS
2024 was a monumental year for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) regulation at the federal level, with EPA formally establishing stringent drinking water standards, designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and developing ambient water quality criteria. States continue to regulate PFAS in other areas by establishing surface water quality standards, biosolid regulations, and even prohibiting the sale of consumer products containing PFAS. This presentation goes beyond “what are PFAS?” and offers a technical focus on the latest remedial technologies, monitoring and testing standards, and litigation resources to equip environmental attorneys with the technical knowhow to deal with the ever changing regulatory and litigation environment.
Moderator/Speaker: Matthew A. Walker, Lathrop GPM LLP, Chicago
Tim Bradburne, BBJ Group, Chicago
Walter Pochron, Hydrogeologist, Independent Consultant, Chicago

Natural Resource Damages: What Is the Process for a Natural Resource Damage Assessment and What Does a Restoration Project Entail?
Protecting Illinois’ natural resources is vital for both the State’s current residents and generations to come. Because of this, Governor Pritzker has designated the Directors of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to serve as Natural Resource Trustees with the responsibility of protecting and addressing damages to natural resources in Illinois. Learn more about how the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will fulfill their role as trustee and the framework through
which a Natural Resource Damage Assessment matter works with this informative presentation. The applicable federal and state laws are also discussed.
Moderator: James L. Morgan, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Brian Navarrete, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield
Renee Snow, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield
Nicole Thomas, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield
Nancy J. Tikalsky, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Chicago
Elizabeth Whetsell, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield



*Originally presented as part of the 23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference. Find more sessions in this series in the ISBA On-Demand CLE catalog.



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 $157.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $315
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $50
    • Law Students – Free