Some of Illinois’ top Democrats say they’re open to considering targeted changes to Illinois’ controversial SAFE-T Act this spring if a forthcoming judicial report says they’re needed.

From: 
Daily Herald

The Romanucci & Blandin law firm also represented the family of George Floyd after he was killed in 2020 by a Minneapolis police officer. That lawsuit resulted in a record settlement.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

After a defeat at the U.S. Supreme Court, lawyers for the Department of Justice told a federal judge Wednesday they’re looking to settle litigation over President Donald Trump’s controversial efforts to deploy National Guard troops to the Chicago area to bolster immigration enforcement.

From: 
Chicago Tribune

A new law in the state of Illinois will force law enforcement to start missing person investigations sooner. The newly implemented Missing Person Identification Act is meant to speed up the investigation process for people reported missing.

From: 
WGEM

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost’s lawsuit challenging Illinois’ election laws can proceed because he is a candidate for office, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday.

From: 
NPR Illinois

David H. DeCelles Appointed to 14-Year Term as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

 Chief Judge Michael B. Brennan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is pleased to announce the appointment of David H. DeCelles to a 14-year term as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. DeCelles succeeds Bankruptcy Judge Janet S. Baer who will retire in March 2026. Mr. DeCelles will take the oath of office and join the bankruptcy bench in Chicago on March 5, 2026.

Nancy A. Peterman Appointed to 14-Year Term as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

 Chief Judge Michael B. Brennan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is pleased to announce the appointment of Nancy A. Peterman to a 14-year term as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Ms. Peterman succeeds Bankruptcy Judge Carol A. Doyle who retired in 2023. Ms. Peterman will take the oath of office and join the bankruptcy bench in Chicago on February 19, 2026.

ISBA Website Downtime: Information on Affected Services

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Marybeth Stanziola

The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) will be converting to a new association management system (AMS) on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.  Our AMS is the membership database that serves as the backbone for most of our technology systems, including the ISBA website (isba.org).  In order to execute the AMS conversion process, beginning on January 21, 2026, the ISBA website and all products, programs, services, and benefits accessed through it will be unavailable.  Specifically, members will not be able to access the following services:

Before presiding over his courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building each morning, Cook County Associate Judge Raymond Myles was known to rise early and go to the gym.

From: 
Belleville News-Democrat