23rd Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference - Part 1

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


3.50 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: May 22, 2025
Accreditation Expiration Date: July 30, 2027 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Don’t miss this program that offers updates on the latest state and federal initiatives, as well as a discussion on the historical ties of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to Illinois and their efforts to reacquire and control lands within the Reservation boundaries. A look at the criteria used to identify a wetland and the current status of the wetland regulations is included.


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


Annual Update on Agency Activities and Priorities: Illinois and Region V
The 23rd Annual Environmental Law Conference kicks off with a look at the latest initiatives at the state and federal levels as presented by distinguished representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Moderator: James L. Morgan, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Andrew Armstrong, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield
Matthew J. Dunn, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Springfield
Robert Kaplan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, Chicago
Renee Snow, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield
Jennifer Van Wie, Illinois Pollution Control Board, Chicago

Coming Home: Prairie Band Potawatomi Returns to Illinois
Don’t miss this panel presentation as our speakers discuss the return of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to its homeland in what is now called Illinois. Topics include: the Nation’s historical ties to the area, its efforts to reacquire ownership and control of lands within the Reservation boundaries, recent federal and state legislative efforts, and issues related to Shabbona Lake State Park.
Moderator: Jane E. McBride, Attorney at Law, Springfield
Russell Brien, Brien Law LLC, Kansas
Darren Root, Tribal Attorney, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Choctaw Nation, Kansas
Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, Chairman, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kansas

WOTUS: When a Wetland is Not a Wetland …. Or Is It? And What If It Is?
This session examines the criteria used to identify a wetland, and the status of wetland regulation following the tumultuous 2024 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) activity.
Moderator: William Anaya, UBGreensfelder LLP, Chicago
Clayton Heffter, DuPage County Stormwater Management, Wheaton
Vincent J. Mosca, Hey and Associates, Inc., 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 $122.50 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $245
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $50
    • Law Students – Free

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Justice Lisa Holder White Announces Formation of Screening Committee To Fill Fifteenth Circuit Vacancy

Posted on July 20, 2025 by Marybeth Stanziola

Justice Lisa Holder White of the Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the formation of a judicial screening committee for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

The screening committee was formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those who have applied for appointment to the office of Resident Circuit Judge for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. The vacancy resulted from the retirement of the Hon. Kevin J. Ward, effective August 22, 2025. Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by a Supreme Court appointment.

Video from slain CPD Officer Vásquez Lasso's body camera shown in court

Jurors in the trial of a man accused of killing a Chicago police officer were shown disturbing video Thursday.

From: 
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Survivors’ lawyers say Illinois has one of nation’s worst records on sex abuse in juvenile detention

Illinois has one of the nation’s worst problems with child sex abuse at juvenile detention centers, attorneys representing more than 900 survivors who have filed lawsuits said Wednesday.

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